4 month check up

I went to see the Nurse Practitioner on Tuesday for my 4 month check up. I have to admit I really thought I was going to get into trouble with my weight loss, but I lost 33 lbs in 3 months and she is very happy with my progress and said I am right on track and exactly where I should be.  I need to go get my labs done to check my vitamin levels and make sure I am getting all the nutrients I need.

I am still stuck at 223 and a lot of that is due to me eating out every night.  Not that I want to or can afford to, but my refrigerator STILL is freezing everything and they can't figure out why.  So I should be getting a new used (new to me anyways) refrigerator today or tomorrow.  I will finally be able to buy groceries and not worry about having to throw them a way the next day.

So, I made the chicken avocado lettuce wraps and they were fantabulous.  Lots of flavor and different textures all wrapped in a lettuce leaf.  Avocado, tomato, green onion, grilled chicken thigh, lemon juice and garlic seasoning.

Yesterdays lunch consisted of the yummy salad pictured to the left.  Baby spinach, mixed greens, green onion, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, walnuts, egg and half an avocado.  It was 300 calories 19g of carbs.

Okay I found this recipe and will be giving it a try this weekend.

5-Minute Avocado Chicken Lettuce Wraps

What You Need:

-4-6 romaine lettuce leaves (cleaned and dried)
-1 medium avocado
-1/2 lemon or lime (for juice)
-1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
-1 roma tomato (or handful of grape tomatoes)
-2 tbsp chopped onion
-1/4 bell pepper, diced
-Salt, pepper and garlic powder, to taste

What You Do:

1. Slice avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out flesh into a small mixing bowl. Mash avocado with a fork until it’s smooth.
2. Squeeze some of your lemon or lime juice into the bowl and mix to combine with avocado. (This will add flavor and help prevent avocado from browning prematurely).
3. Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste into the avocado mixture. Mix well.
4. Stir in the remainder of the ingredients (minus the lettuce). Combine until chicken, tomatoes, onion and pepper are evenly coated with avocado.
5. Scoop mixture into romaine leaves, wrap loosely and enjoy.

How can you possibly go wrong with this?

Gym...Gym...Gym

 So I am going to the gym 3-5 days per week and seeing my Trainer at least once per week doing crunches, squats, leg lifts as well as working my upper body.  Now I understand what these girls are saying about going to the Gym is addicting.  The endorphins it puts off is truly addicting and just makes you feel good.  Although I don't always see a weight loss, I definitely see a loss in inches.  The picture above is my FatBurner workout on Tuesday.  The calories I burned along is probably 3/4 of my total intake of calories per day.  This week my gym schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.  I also worked out at home, I did crunches, squats and leg lifts on the exercise ball and worked out my arms with elastic bands.  Friday and Saturday are my day of rest.  Although Saturday we are going to the Renaisannce Faire so there will be lots of walking.

5 Down and at least 20

This picture was taken the day after surgery 11/26/14

This was last night 4/9/15

The first picture was me after surgery at 281 lbs.  The second picture is from last night at 223 lbs.  I think I've lost like 20 inches but I have to find the original number to make sure of that number. You can definitely see a huge difference. I know it doesn't look pretty, but from where I am sitting I LOOK FABULOUS!

Inches

So I've been bummed the last 3 weeks because I haven't really lost any weight, but looking in the mirror and the way my clothes are fitting now compared to 3 weeks ago, I obviously have lost INCHES. I am down to 225, but I was hoping to be under the 200 lb mark by this time after surgery.  I should have started this exercise stuff right after surgery instead of 4 months after surgery.

So this is yesterdays workout.  44 minutes on the treadmill doing another Fat-burner exercise and I burned 363 calories and kept my heart rate up.  I walked an additional 15 minutes after this but didn't take a picture.  I also went home and did some crunches and arm strengthening.

Today I have to do another 90 squats plus I will do an hour at the gym on the treadmill and go home and do more crunches and arm strengthening.   I am going to the gym 4-5 days per week and taking Tuesday's and Friday's off.  The body needs rest too!

OUCH

So Saturday I had a great workout with my trainer and then completed a Fat Burner on the Treadmill.  All was well until...I went Bowling Saturday Night.  Two (2) hours of bowling plus a workout, meant waking up Sunday morning and could barely walk my thighs hurt so bad.  I had a horrible time doing my squats Sunday (I was supposed to complete 60).  I only did 30 on Sunday because Saturday was supposed to be my REST day but my trainer had me do 30 so I counted those with Sunday.  I did my 75 squats yesterday and went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the treadmill doing another Fat Burner plus 15 minutes in the Sauna.  I was worried about going to the Gym Monday because of my thighs, but I am so glad I did because I was able to work through it and feel great. Today is 90 squats, which I have already completed 40 and will do the rest tonight.  

After the Gym on Saturday, I went to Dicks Sporting Goods and bought myself an Exercise Ball and some Elastic Bands so I can exercise at home.  The Exercise Ball actually helps with the Squats because it MAKES you do a proper squat.

Workouts and Challenges

 So here are last nights workout results.  I have burned over 1050 calories in these 3 workouts that I have done Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I actually walked a whole hour and a little over three (3) miles and kept my heart rate up.  This is awesome for me.

So, I have also been challenged by my friend, Anne, to complete a Squat Challenge. As you can see, the amount of squats you are to do daily goes up each day and by the end of the month, I will have to complete 250 squats in one day!

I am really enjoying the gym and working on a new and improved me.  Another huge step in my progress!

My next check-up with the Doctor post surgery is on April 21st.  I am praying that they are as happy with my results as I am!

It's a Great Thing

So, yesterday I met with one of the trainers at Total Woman Gym & Spa and we went over a workout routine based on 3-5 days a week. We took my beginning weight, measurements and height. I also signed up and paid for 6 sessions with a personal trainer.  I wish I could afford more but it's rather expensive and this is all I could do right now.  So, I will just have to remember every workout she has me do and do it properly.  

Another workout complete.  This was a 45 minute "Fat Burner" session on the treadmill.  Going again today and will try to do a complete hour on the treadmill and then Saturday morning I have my first session with my trainer.