Head Hunger/Cravings

I belong to several gastric bypass support groups on facebook. Today someone who is pre-op asked about head hunger and cravings. This got me thinking about those two topics. Here are my thoughts on them:

There are times, especially close to that time of the month, where I crave certain things. I know without a doubt that if I were to give in to the sweet cravings and have that cupcake that I used to have before surgery I would get sick. Instead of having the cupcake full of sugar, I find a way to have something that is sugar free. For instance today I made sugar free cookies with sugar free frosting. They were pretty good, but alot sweeter than regular sugar cookies are.

I had also been craving something fried. So I went to McDonalds. Before surgery I would have had two cheeseburgers, a large fry, a large sweet tea, a mcchicken, a 6 piece nugget and an extra cheeseburger. I would eat all of that in one sitting. Today when I went to McDonald's I had a 4 piece chicken nugget Happy meal. It came with the 4 chicken nuggets and a kids size fry. I shared 1 of my chicken nuggets with my dogs, so I ate 3 and I shared some of my fries with the dogs so I didn't eat all the kids size fry. I would have to say that is a drastic difference!!! My head totally wanted to get the extra stuff, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to eat it and the only reason I had thought about getting it was because it had become habit from before.

I truly have not gone out and had the donuts and cupcakes and sweets that I used to eat before surgery. Sure I do crave them quite a bit, but I haven't done it because I knew I would be sick. I used to have a ritual of getting a Starbucks drink every pay day. I have only had Starbucks a few times since surgery. There isn't a lot at Starbucks that I can drink that doesn't have sugar. My husband and I used to have a ritual of going and getting donuts every couple of weeks. There is an amazing donut place just down the road from us. I have found myself driving there before and then realizing I can't go there so I turn and go the other way.

I have found some really great recipes online that help me get my cravings out of the way with stuff that I can eat. I made some really yummy lemon bars for Christmas that were sugar free. I found that Walmart carries sugar free chocolate chips that make amazing sugar free chocolate chip cookies!

So here is what I have to say about head hunger and cravings. If you can find a way to make what you are craving in a way that won't make you sick, go for it. If you have to have something you are craving that may not be the best for you such as fatty foods, have just a bite or two of it. I have found that since surgery my taste buds have changed and what I crave may not taste the same now as it did before surgery. 

6 Month Update/Newest Measurements

It is hard to believe that tomorrow, December 12, 2013 will be 6 months from the day I had my gastric bypass surgery. Life is so much better these days. I am down 105 pounds. That is amazing! I am down from a size 26/28 to a 14/16. I couldn't even imagine having that extra 105 pounds on me again. When I started to get to the 90 pound lost point my weight loss started to slow down. I have 70 to go until my goal. I know they won't come off as fast as the first 100, but if I continue to work hard at it, it will eventually come off. This is a journey. Like the name of my blog says "You didn't get fat overnight," so I know I won't get thin overnight. People around me remind me on a daily basis just how far I have come. Some days I am brutally hard on myself for the things I eat, but other days I am easy on myself. 

I am so thankful for my husband, my mom and dad, and my friends that have helped me get to this point. They have all had a part in me getting here. They have believed in me, lifted me when I feel low, gave me high fives when I feel high, they have been a great support!

I am amazed at the photos I have taken along the way. In the ones from the beginning I barely recognize myself. The newest photos make me smile. :) 

Here are my newest measurements. Last ones were taken 28 days ago.

Right Arm: 12"   (I have lost 5")
Left Arm: 12"    (I have lost 5")

Right Leg: 21"  (I have lost 10")
Left Leg: 21.5" (I have lost 10.5")

Right Calf: 16"  (I stayed the same)(I have lost 3")
Left Calf: 15.5"  (I stayed the same)(I have lost 3")

Chest: 43"      (I have lost 17")
Waist: 40"      (I stayed the same)(I have lost 13.5")

Current Weight: 210lbs   (I have lost 105 lbs since highest weight)
Current Height: 5'5"
Current Size: top is 14/16 and bottom is 16
Total inches lost:  67

Top photos from 12-11-13, bottom photos from 06-20-13

 

23 Day Challenge

So as of tomorrow there are 23 days until the 1st of the year. When I weighed in today I was 211. It is my goal to be in ONDERLAND on the 1st of the year. That means I have to lose 12 pounds in 23 days. That is about a pound every other day. I think it's doable, but not quite sure.

I plan on drinking a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and eating a sensible dinner. I plan on working out my 3 days a week. I hope that with these two things I can accomplish this. I will try to eat snacks high in protein in between meals, like nuts or beef jerky.

I really really really want to be in ONDERLAND soon. I haven't been under 200 pounds since I was in high school. I graduated high school in 1998 so that was 15 years ago!

I am making this public so people who are around me can help hold me accountable. There are two instances where I will be eating lunch instead of a dinner. We are having a pot luck at work on the 20th and I will be having my shake that day for breakfast and again for dinner. On the 14th I am meeting up with a dear friend for lunch so that day I will be having a shake for breakfast and one for dinner.

Let the challenge begin!!!!!!