Update

My lab work was reviewed last week and we are seeing improvements. I meet again with the dr next week (this coming week) and get a referral to the shrink.

I'm wearing a size 18/20 and it's amazing how small I looked in the mirror. It's crazy. My sister saw me the weekend before christmas and I think she was a little surprised at my progress. She hadn't seen me in a few months and remarked how different it was.

For new years R and I are going to switch to a gym that is about a mile further from our current gym, but offers many more services including evening yoga classes we plan on taking together. But what I am looking forward to is that it has more cardio equipment which means no more waiting for a treadmill or elliptical machine, and it has tons of group classes, more person trainers to choose from and if I wanted to it offers fencing... which might be fun to give a go. The other bonus is not only does it offer more features, but it's actually cheaper!

Yay

Holiday Madness

This is my first holiday season with my new guts and frankly I'm not doing all that hot.

I've made tons of cookies and while I've given 98% away, but let me tell you I've eaten a few, not great.

I haven't been to the gym in a couple of weeks, but mostly that is due to the fact that I hate my gym and want to join this other gym which is much nicer and offers more, but all my money is tied up in other people's xmas gifts. That's ok, I'll just join in January with the rest of the town.

My hair is still falling out like crazy. Nioxin was a complete waste of money, not only did it not stop (or even slow down) the hair loss, it made the hair that I do have feel like frizzed out straw. Forget that. My bald spot now has a diameter for about 3 inches. Don't give me the crap of "it grows back" either. It's been falling out for months and let me tell you, it's as smooth as a baby's ass. There is no regrowth whatsoever. It's super frustrating. I'm about ready to shave it off and try the Sinead look.

Lab Work

Well today I had a review of my last set of lab work, and it is finally starting to show some progress.

I am now only slightly anemic, and the CRP test while still way higher than normal has come down 3.4 points which is good progress.

Of course I got a couple more vitamins to add to my daily routine, but all in all things are definitely getting better.

Interesting Gif

click to bring up animation

Issues

I'm still doing ok with the weight loss, and my weekly visits to the nutritionist are going well, and I'm slowly developing a post bariatric diet that fits with my needs and tastes.

Despite all of the work I've done this far, I have decided to look at getting my head some therapy.

In the last couple weeks I have come to realize that I am more of an emotional eater than I had really thought. Mad = eat something that makes you feel good. Bored = Make a giant batch of cookies. Sad = Chocolate.

Now that I'm unable to indulge as I did before I've slowly taken on a bad habit that I used throughout high school; namely cutting myself. A habit that deeply bothers my family and friends. Now before you go flipping out, I'm safe about it, and there are hundreds and thousands of people out there who hurt themselves when they are upset. Some people bite the insides of their cheeks, pull their hair, bite themselves, hell some people beat their head against the wall literally. This is all a different variations of the same thing.

However, I don't want this. I need to learn how to properly handle my stresses and emotions, and for that I'm going to check out therapy, and hope that I find someone who can help me find better ways to deal with life.

Bariatric Friendly Egg Nog

Tis the season for Nog. I found this recipe on Shel's blog and thought I would share it as well.

LINDA’S EGGLESS EGG NOG

One 1-ounce pgk sf instant vanilla pudding powder
1 cup half & half (can use fat free)
5 cups milk (I used Skim)
3 tablespoons Splenda granular
1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon brandy or rum extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In large bowl whisk together pudding powder and half & half until dissolved. Whisk in until smooth milk, Splenda, nutmeg, cinnamon, brandy extract, and vanilla. Pour into a large pitcher and allow to chill for at least 2 hours. If mixture becomes too thick add a 1/4 cup milk at a time and stir to blend. This is thick, but not overly so.