Portion Control

One of the first things I had to force myself to do was work on my portion control.  Obviously having a gastric band, I am forced to do this but it works for people that do not have a band as well.  I previously posted about changing your plate size and never putting food on the table in pans or bowls.  These methods help but you have to get it in your head to stop eating before you are stuffed.  Thirty minutes before a meal, drink a glass of water.  This will help decrease your food intake.  Do not drink with your meal and wait until about 30 minutes after you eat to drink anything.  This helps your body to absorb the proteins and vitamins from your food instead of flushing them out of your system.

As for the portion control...  Start searching for bariatric recipes and this will help.  Invest in mini muffin pans.  They are amazing for portion control and can be used for many wonderful recipes.  I am going to post a few recipes that I really enjoy and once you get used to the portion control, you will get full faster, feel full longer (good food does this) and will help with weight reduction and an all-around healthier you.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON MY BLOG.  :-)

And the journey continues....

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/broccoli-and-cheese-mini-egg-omelets-2.html#_a5y_p=1315692

http://www.fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.com/2011/09/baked-spiced-chickpeas-secret-recipe-club/

http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2011/03/meatloaf-muffins.html

Motivation

Water Intake

One of the most important things to remember in the weight loss journey is your water intake.

There are currently no proven studies that water actually causes weight loss but there is evidence that water consumption can be associated with appetite reduction (for middle-aged and older people), consuming fewer calories, and burning slightly more calories.  Increased water consumption or eating more water-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) with lower energy density, may help in weight loss/management.

As adults, we are told to drink 8 - 10, 8 ounce glasses of water a day.  Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.  Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.  Hence the need for water in your weight loss journey.

I drink as much water as I possibly can but be prepared, you will be going back and forth to the bathroom much more often.  

And the journey continues...

Gastric Banding

For those interested, this is what I had done on 7/31/12.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap Band®, Realize® Band)

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure (Lap Band®, Realize® Band) creates a small gastric pouch by encircling the upper part of the stomach with a silicone band. The band creates a narrow opening for food to empty from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach. There is no cutting or re-connecting of the stomach or intestines.

Adjustment of Band Based on Diet Tolerance and Weight Loss

The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir placed under the skin of the upper abdomen. You cannot see the reservoir, but can feel it by pushing on your abdomen. The band can be adjusted and the opening from the pouch made smaller or larger based on diet tolerance and weight loss. 

This is done by inflating or deflating the band with saline, which enters the reservoir through the skin with a fine needle. On average, six –10 adjustments may be needed during the first year the band is placed.

As with the Roux en Y gastric bypass, after a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is placed, patients are satisfied after eating a small amount of food and do not feel hungry. 

Weight Loss After Procedure

Weight loss after this procedure is slower than with the Roux en Y gastric bypass. Most people lose weight up to three years after band placement and can expect to lose 50 percent of their excess body weight over the first three years.

Picture Log Version 2

I wanted to add a few things in regard to the picture log.  Some simple points about your picture log:

1. Have someone else take the pictures (selfies do not get all of you and you want to see your entire body from head to toe).

2. Always take the pictures in the same place.  

3. Always use the same poses (take both front and side views).

4. Wear tight but not overly tight clothes so you actually see your figure (baggy clothes hide everything).

5. Wear the least amount of clothing that you are comfortable with in the pictures.  This will give a true picture of your body.


As I stated before, I have always hated having my picture taken and I'm still not a fan but I am trying to do better.  The pictures I am posting below may be a little revealing (no nakedness) but I felt it was necessary for reference.  The first two pictures were taken toward the beginning of my journey.  The one in the red dress was August 1, 2013 and the last one in the gray bra was in January 2014.

And the journey continues....

Picture Log

As with most overweight people, I've always hated having my picture taken.  They always say "the camera adds 10 pounds," but when you weigh 293 pounds you can't really determine what an extra 10 pounds looks like.  One thing my bariatric physician told me when I started this journey was to document everything via pictures.  It's unbelievable the changes you will notice in just a few short weeks.  Taking a picture is a good thing to do on every "weigh day."  Make the pictures a part of your weight chart or start a picture log.  Make sure to take a "before" pic when you start your journey, so you will have something to look back at and compare.   Knowing where you were, where you are and where you are going is a wonderful feeling.

And the journey continues...

My wonderful husband and me in Jamaica, January 2012.  I was 293 pounds and this was when my journey began.

Me now...  178 pounds and 18 pounds away from my goal.

Transition Clothes & Where to Get them

Clothing is a difficult and costly thing during the weight loss process.  The Echo Shop for Gals (http://www.echoshops.com/) at 5926 S. Lewis in Tulsa has become my new best friend when it comes to finding transition clothes (This is not a paid advertisement for Echo, it's just where I like to shop).

When I first started losing weight, I would wear clothes for a couple of sizes before I would look for smaller sizes.  I was so used to wearing big clothing that covered my large size that having clothes too big wasn't much of an issue.  As I started getting smaller, the big clothes would just hang off of me and look horrible. I have found that I have had to pick up a few more things now.  I am still not at my goal weight and should go down at least a couple of more sizes, I will have to transition again.  I didn't want to go out and purchase a lot of new clothing that I would not get to wear for a very long period of time, so consignment and stores like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Stein Mart have been my saving grace.  I have shopped a few other consignment stores around Tulsa, but I always come back to Echo as they have wonderful quality clothing, good brands and their sales are amazing.

http://www.rossstores.com/
Ross - Tulsa Hills Shopping Center 7348 S Olympia Ave Tulsa, OK 74132
(918) 447-7781
Ross - Southroads Shopping Center 4919 E 41st St Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 664-9776 16.50
Ross - Crossing Oaks Shopping Center 7136 S Memorial Dr Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 294-0081
Ross - Town Centre 3612 S Elm Pl Broken Arrow, OK 74011
(918) 449-9323

http://www.marshallsonline.com/
Marshalls - Tulsa Hills Shopping Center 7362 South Olympia Avenue Tulsa , OK 74132
(918) 445-4162
Marshalls - Shops at Broken Arrow 1400 East Hillside Dr Broken Arrow, OK 74012
(918) 355-2886

http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/index.jsp
TJ MAXX - Manchester Sq Shopping Center 8228 East 61st St, Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 250-1093
TJ MAXX - Smith Farms Marketplace 9018 N 121st East Ave Ste 400, Owasso, OK 74055
(918) 274-9822

http://www.steinmart.com/
Stein Mart - 5112 S. Harvard Avenue Tulsa, OK US 74135
(918) 749-1926
Stein Mart - 7827 East 91st Tulsa, OK US 74133
(918) 461-8088

And the journey continues...