Bliss

I'm coming up on my One Year Anniversary of my Gastric Bypass.  This is forcing me to view myself, and my life in general, in a different way.  I am not the person I was a year ago.  I'm thankful for the gift of this surgery and what it's brought to my life.  And I think I'll focus some effort into trying to articulate these feelings:

It's easy to say my life has changed because of what I eat.  It has changed, but not because of what I eat.  It's changed because of why I eat; instead of eating because I was bored, or stuffing food in my face because I was busy, I now eat with purpose.  I chose very carefully exactly what I'm willing to endure after eating, if I choose badly.  I chose carefully because I'm very aware every bite counts towards daily protein intake.  But I choose carefully because I wanted to ensure that eating still remained a joy, not a chore.  GBPers have two paths after surgery:  lose weight from happiness or frustration.  You will lose weight, you have no choice.  Your choice remains in how happy you will be here on.

For many months, I ate with purpose:  to not lose my hair nor muscle mass.  I was terrified of the stories I'd heard regarding these issues due to lack of protein intake.  Undoubtedly, many folks who qualify for surgery have achieved weight gain from being carb lovers (me included).  It becomes natural to eat the yummy carbs first, proteins take the backseat.  I was never an Adkins supporter thinking "how can you lose weight eating steak and bacon?"  But I see the overall premise of the program now...proteins are important in filling you up and  keeping your hunger staved.  Carbs in fruits (not many for me, too much sugar) and veggies are second on the list of eats...but simple carbs are in my past.  I don't miss them, surprisingly.  So I guess that could have something to do with my outlook for my future.  But I have to wonder how many GBP patients have deep regret over never being able to eat the things that truly bring them joy.

I suggest if you are in this category, look for alternatives.  I felt a tad silly going into Barnes&Noble to buy Bethenny Frankel's books Naturally Thin and Skinnygirl Dish.  But Bethenny's Claim To Fame is not dieting; it's changing HOW you cook to just be naturally a thin person without making a huge change in your everyday food prep and eating process.  Her mantras can hold true for anyone, but it was particularly interesting to me in that, she's created a menu that is balanced, low in sugar and fat and delicious.  So, by using these recipes and the changes she's made to every foods I thought I could no longer eat, I can eat and feel very satisfied with food choices.  I love cookies:  now I can eat ONE cookie, but no longer feel even slight desire to eat six.  That's the difference.  I cannot eat semolina pasta, but whole wheat or rice pasta in small amounts is fine.  So I urge you, if you are feeling unhappy because of the choice you made to have this surgery, what are you missing?  And can you make a substitution to at least feel as though you are going to miss this for the rest of your life?

I don't want to feel as though I'm a lucky one.  I am blessed because before my one year anniversary I have reached my target weight and am so healthy I am running 3 miles a day (soon to be 4!).  I had goals when I went into this life changing decision, one, being able to run again!  And nothing feels more free that taking off your shoes and just running.  You have to find your inner bliss and hang onto that.  If you're not blissful, bless yourself with a quiet moment alone, pen and paper if necessary and really dig deep to realize what make YOU happy.  Because no matter how many people you have close to you, that depend on you, or just love you for who you are; you cannot love them fully until you learn to love everything about yourself.  This starts with finding your bliss. Happy hunting :)

Easy Chicken

Your crock pot is your friend.  If you don't have one, get one.  There is nothing easier than getting up in the morning and throwing meat and seasonings in the pot and walking away.  I've even thrown in frozen meat.  I make this with both bone-in and boneless chicken:

package of chicken
can of mild Rotel (I used the lime and cilantro version last night)
few squirts of Zesty Italian salad dressing

Walk away for, oh, all day.

If you used bones, pull meat off the bones.  If not, just use 2 forks to shred it.  Done. 

My daughter eats it plain.  My husband likes it on tortillas.  I took two scoops and put it on a bed of greens with feta cheese.  Super healthy, tons of protein and delish.

Barefoot running

So, I think I'm so wise when I discovered barefoot runnning.  I start talking to family and friends thinking I've found this new amazing thing.  Um, much to my dismay, it's been around for a while :)  So I'm learning and discovering on my own what so many other smarty pants already knew!

I love to run.  There's nothing more freeing than to not be tethered by a piece of equipment, a room, or groups.  The thing with me is, in all the times I'd gone to every sports store known to man, I could not find a shoe that ever felt normal.  They would evaluate my feet, my gait, my foot strike.  So many shoes, so many.  Then I read this entry regarding barefoot running.  The author talked about how natural it is to NOT wear shoes, which made me think of what I wear on my feet all day, every day when I'm not running:  nothing.  I am barefoot constantly; epitome of the Barefoot Princess.  So I gave it a whirl!

I was running last week on the treadmill, feeling so lethargic.  I pressed the PAUSE button, got off, and took off my shoes and socks. Got back on, and knocked out 25 minutes in a breeze.  I felt great!  I started reading more about the techniques and got some great advice from friends.  LOTS of stretching and am forcing myself to take it slow (which is not easy when you finally feel so great all's you want to do is RUN!).  But, it's going well and is so liberating just to go out and run!  Lessen another tether...no shoes!

Idiot's Guide to Barefoot Running

Great book and easy to follow.  It's been easier for me to transform to barefoot, because I was getting back into exercise after being off for so long.  I think it would be much more difficult if I were running every day and had to totally transition.  But, if you decide to do this, take the start-up VERY seriously:  ankle and Achilles tendon injuries are common to those that don't heed the warnings.  But, if you're inclined and ready for fun, go for it!

Breakfast Muffins

I made these a few days ago...recipe is a little misleading in that they do take a little time; you have to make the sweet potatoes, then make the batter.  I made extra potatoes and had some for dinner ;)  I also substituted honey for the sugar.   I froze about 2/3 of the muffins thinking I'd only eat one a day.  And next time I will add more cinnamon and nutmeg...but they are pretty good and a nice way to kick off the day.  I just ate one and will head out the gym in about 30 minutes to see if I can get another minute of my run!

http://marcussamuelsson.com/recipes/the-best-breakfast-before-exercising-whole-wheat-sweet-potato-coconut-muffins-recipe

Blogger 1.2.3.

Nope, I don't know...but I will help and support everyone willing to try...I will post a GREAT post tomorrow and have been working on it for a week so....stick with me and I will not disappoint.

Best Meatloaf EVA!

DO NOT be intimidated by the length of the recipe.  This is SO easy.  Literally takes 10 minutes to prep...do not take shortcuts with tomato sauce (no Ragu, get a can of plain tomato sauce) and make your own sauce (it's worth it).

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/barbeque-meat-loaf-recipe/index.html

Yoga

So I'm SO excited to have found a really good program on Time Warner Cable's OnDemand Sports Channel...yoga at home.  I considered getting a yoga DVD because every time I think I'll join a class, I don't.  I think about getting back into yoga, and think, and think.  So today, no excuses!  Started up the program, laid out the mat and boom, 45 minutes later a decent workout!  So, you don't have to pay for a class, buy a DVD, figure in when and where the class will be in your schedule.  Your time, your way.  You can even use a large towel and not even get a mat!  Just do it.  Whatever "it" is...no excuses.