Trip to Alabama and 120 pounds down!!!

Susan


Shara



Liz

I decided last minute to go on a road trip with one my best friends Susan to Alabama. I had such a good time seeing my old college stomping grounds. I spent two days in Tuscaloosa and then for the rest of the trip I stay in Birmingham with one of my other bestest, Liz and her son Mitchell. I got to meet up with an old friend of mine, Shara and have lunch with her too! It was really great catching up.

It always hard going to eat at your favorite places during college and not being able to order those oh so delicious fattening meals that made me balloon to 300 pounds. I tried eating very healthy. I always seem to get off track during vacation time, so I made sure to plan ahead. I brought my own nuts, fresh veggies, cheeses, meats and salad around in a cooler. I did however have a hard time keeping up with my exercise routine! I worked out for two days before leaving for Alabama and then slacked off till Saturday and took a short walk around Liz's wild neighborhood. I almost got attacked by a pack of wild dogs and freaked out and ran back home. She lives wayyyy out in the scary banjo playing country.
I weighed myself when I got back in town and the grand total lost is 120 pounds! Not too shabby! I have been working out like a crazy lady and it looks like it is paying off finally! I am keeping the exercising up and switching from walk/jogging one day and then gym work out the next day.

Well that's all I have to rant about today! Enjoy the new pictures!!

Freebies...a new book and vitamins!

So I volunteered for the Bariatric Convention/Lighten Up Expo a couple of weekends ago and scored some major freebies! I got to sample lots of different vendor samples made specially for Bariatric patients (Gastric, Lap Band, etc). I also got to attend meetings from Bariatric patients, nutritionist, doctors, psychologist and physical trainers. Most of the guest speakers where patients who have had the surgery and later went on to write self help books about their experiences post surgery. There were all kinds of books about eating right, keeping the weight off, exercising, mental and physical changes, etc.

I met this one lady named Margaret Furtado, who is a nutritionist at John Hopkins Hospital who specializes in Bariactric patients. She has written two books, one recently called The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery. She was super nice and told me that she would mail me a copy of her book and I received it in the mail today. I posted a picture of the book below. I am really excited to read it! It is full of important information on the right foods to eat - good carbs / bad carbs and some really good protein packed recipes.

At the end of the conference they did drawings for really nice giveaways and my name was called for a $100 gift certificate for Bariatric Advantage. I ordered liquid multi vitamins, liquid B-Complex, vitamin D capsules, protein bars and raspberry calcium chews. I am set for a while until I have to buy more vitamins! I was very happy to have volunteered my time and be given back in the same manner.



Well, I am still working out every 3-4 days a week. I have upped my cardio by 10 minutes. I also am working with a personal trainer at her home gym for a couple of lessons....thanks to Hannah. I need some help with this whole working out thing! I want to make sure I am doing things correctly. I have only lost 2 pounds...but I think that I am gaining muscle mass. I am a little bummed out that I haven't lost anymore weight since my last check-up with the doctor. I am staying positive and keeping up the hard work. I am sure it will pay off soon!!

New Photos!! Dinner at Noche and Alice in Wonderland 3-D Movie Night