Hey everyone!

So, the plan is to keep a weekly diary about our weight loss journey. I want to tell the good, bad, and the ugly about it all as we go. Thanks for coming along with us, I am sure it will be an interesting ride!

And so it begins…

The photo was taken 5-6-2018

Just to give a perspective on how we got to be 300/350 pounds here is a glimpse of a normal day.

I get up after sleeping 5-6 hours, I go sit in my recliner and get on my computer to check emails and social media. Hubby eats a bowl of oatmeal and toast or eggs and toast and heads to work where he sits in a Jeep all day delivering mail. He takes with him a bottle or two of water, an apple, and some peanut butter crackers for his lunch. I eat breakfast, usually leftovers, some pizza, or a burger and chips and drink a large glass of tea then go back to the computer to work on whatever project I have going on while I assist the kids with their school. After school, my daughter makes a snack run and gets me a large bag of turtle minis (I eat the whole bag about 900 calories) and have some more tea. Hubby gets home about 3 and I make dinner, usually some kind fried meat with a side of pasta or potato and rolls and gravy. Veggies are a rare thing at our house.  I drink tea all day. Hubby goes outside and works in the yard while I go about working on a craft, hobby, or something until 7 o’clock when he comes in. We sit to watch TV and snack on chips, ice cream, cake, cookies, or brownies (and some more tea) and usually hubby will grab some of the leftovers from earlier as well. He goes to bed at 10, I go to bed at 12 (probably because of all the tea I drink all day.) We go out to eat at least twice a week and drink Dr. Pepper when we do. On weekends we usually have a big breakfast, sausage gravy biscuits, or pancakes and sausage and if we leave the house we always get snacks. We do try to get more active on the weekends going nature walks or something but it really isn’t enough to make up for all the junk we shove in our face all week long. Hubby eats quite a bit more than I do but he goes out in the yard and works it off, I eat less but do not burn any calories to speak of.  And thus, we became very large.

Monday, April 30th, 2018

The Day’s Events:

We already had an appointment with the surgeon for some test results (all was fine on that), we asked about the weight loss surgery. He sent us right over to the coordinator’s office. I kind of expected to have to make another appointment. Stewart and I met with Shirley, our weight loss coordinator. Thankfully, she had all the paperwork left over from when we wanted to do sleeve surgery in 2012, we just needed to update a few things. But because it had been 6 years we have to go through all the hoops again. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Federal insurance program which requires us to be on a doctor prescribed diet for three months prior to the surgery, meet with a nutritionist, and go to a good ol’ psych evaluation.  So she told us to get an appoint for the next day with our doctor so we could get the diet ball rolling as soon as possible. I wasn’t sure we could get an appointment that soon but sure enough, we got in!

• Emotions:
  • Stewart: He is feeling hopeful and excited to get the surgery.
  • Becky: I am feeling a bit nervous about surgery because although we have talked about doing this for the last 5 months, the reality of it is spooky! And I suppose I didn’t think it would start rolling along so fast! And I hate going to doctors.

The Stats:

(Stats were taken Tuesday but normally will be a Monday thing)

Food Choices:

I was going to log each day’s foods here but honestly it is just easier to send you all to the My Fitness App where we log it all each day so here are our links to view the specific day we are on or scroll through the current days or click on the calendar icon to find a specific day!

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

I will explain our reasoning for some of the things we do like for example, after our appointment today, we ate burgers at a local diner. The fat mentality of “let’s do bad because tomorrow we will do good.”

If there is a recipe or something food related that I want to share I will include it in this section too!

Tonight’s Snack:

Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie

• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup fat-free yogurt
• 1/2 2% milk

236 calories

Tuesday, May 1st, 2018

The Day’s Events:

We went to the doctor at 9:40 and they took the normal stuff: weight, blood pressure, temp, O₂ level. We gave the nurse the paperwork that my surgeon needed to be filled out and faxed back and waited to see the doc. Doc comes in and although he doesn’t approve of surgery, he goes about filling out the paperwork that we need him too. He tries once again to get us to take diabetic shots that are supposed to help with weight loss and tells us, “this can help you lose 50 pounds!” I tell him, “but I need to lose 150 pounds!” He listens to our heart and our breathing, checks for water retention on our legs. He asks what kind of diet do we think we want. I said we can count calories using My Fitness Pal app on my phone since that is all that ever had any results to speak of. He puts us on a low-cal/ low-carb/ low-salt/ diabetic diet. He asks us what are we going to do to get more exercise. We explain that we walk and ride bikes and hubby likes to swim in the pool. He jots all that down.  He wants me to come in for fasting blood work because it had been two years since I have seen him (I hate going to the doctor.) We get an appointment for a month from today and I have to come in next week to get the blood work done.

• Emotions:
  • Stewart: He is all in and ready to do this!
  • Becky: Feeling pretty excited about finally getting back on track.
    

The Stats:

Becky (height 5’3″)

• Weight: 300 Lbs.
• BP: 140/83
• MI:54.9

Stewart (height 6′) 

• Weight :350 Lbs.
• BP: 139/93
• BMI:47

I hit enter before I got the top ones “before” but it was 17.3 in 2013.

Food Choices:

I am starting to cut out caffeine and starting to drink water. I was drinking tea 24/7 I am going to allow myself one glass of tea a day. My tea was made with stevia so no calories but I still want to cut out the caffeine.

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Since we were in town already because of the doc appt., we went to Chic-fil-a and got a Cobb Salad with chicken strips instead of our usual two Chic-fil-a Sandwiches each. It is still high cal/ high salt but it is a better choice than the usual because it got me to eat green stuff!

Tonight’s Dinner:

Beef Taco Salad in a Tortilla Bowl

• 1 Burrito Size tortilla
• 1/2 cup taco meat (McCormick’s seasoning)
• 2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/4 shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots

Calories: 442

Exercise:

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

The Day’s Events: Nothing much going on today just trying to eat semi-healthy using the foods we have and trying to get a bit more exercise. I drank a small glass of tea to help with a headache I was getting which I assumed was from me cutting caffeine out of my diet but I drank water the rest of the day.

• Emotions:
  • Stewart:
  • Becky: I cleaned for an hour on a used desk I that we bought, it felt good to clean and get stuff done and hey I got to burn calories while doing it!

Food Choices:

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Exercise:

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

The Day’s Events:

Still just trying to eat semi-healthy using the foods we have and trying to get a bit more exercise. Proud to say I did not drink any tea today at all and no headache!

• Emotions:
  • Stewart: He said he is “jonesing for something” he just doesn’t know what but he is battling cravings pretty bad. He is proud that he has lost a good bit of weight so far (12 lbs.)
  • Becky: I am trying to just keep on track and encourage hubby but I am feeling a bit more irritable. I am trying not to let his weight loss discourage me, I remind myself he always does this the first couple weeks of a diet while I may lose a pound or two. “This is NORMAL Becky… just keep on keeping on.”

Food Choices:

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Exercise:

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Friday, May 4th, 2018

The Day’s Events:

Still just trying to eat semi-healthy using the foods we have and trying to get a bit more exercise. Tried to drink some tea today because I was groggy due to a bad nights sleep (lots of achy muscles from my 10 minutes on “the beast” (aka the elliptical) anyway the tea did not taste good to me so I dumped it and went back to my water! I had been craving tea so I am glad when I let myself have some it wasn’t all that great!

• Emotions:
  • Stewart:
  • Becky: I woke up in the middle of the night (hurting from exercise) and started thinking about the surgery and started having a little anxiety but then this morning my dear friend from high school had commented on my blog post “Our Fat Life” telling me she had her surgery years ago and it was the best decision she had ever made! That is very encouraging and helped reduce my anxiety!! (Thank you, Suzi!!)

Food Choices:

Went to do our weekly shopping and went out to eat at Cheddar’s as our mini “date night.” Way more calories than we should have had but we did eat green stuff instead of a baked potato.

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Exercise:

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Saturday, May 5th, 2018

The Day’s Events:

We had a family gathering at my sister’s today so I expected to eat a tad over but I did manage to avoid sodas and desserts so I still think it was a win! Family events are the hardest to navigate because you have family who are used to you eating a ton and when you only eat one armadillo egg (which are basically large ground beef, jalapenos, and cheese smoked meatballs) and one yeast roll you worry they will take it offensively. But my weight is more important at the time than other peoples feelings and unfortunately, my sister struggles with a weight problem too so she understands. Drank a glass of tea today at my sister’s house… enjoyed it and trying not to feel guilty. We played “Corn Hole” which was at least exerting some energy.

• Emotions:
  • Stewart:
  • Becky: Feeling actually proud of myself for taking on this diet while I am struggling with a family problem. The hardest time to try to make life changes seems (for me) to be when your life already seems out of control. I guess in a way me taking control of my eating during this time seems to help me feel a little more secure knowing at least THIS I can control.

Food Choices:

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Armadillo Eggs (my sister’s recipe)

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 3-5 jalapeno slices
• 6 oz. sharp cheddar block
• 2 tbsp. liquid smoke
• Natural seasoning to taste

Mix ground beef with liquid smoke and McCormick’s natural seasoning. Divide meat and cheese block into thirds. Flatten one-third of the meat into a patty, place 1/3 of the cheese block and jalapenos in the center and wrap meat around them. Form into an egg-shaped meatball. Smoke for about 2 hours at 250F. The temperature of the meat should reach 160F. Or you can bake them at 350F for 25-30 minutes.

Calories: 629 each (not worth it but yummy)

Exercise:

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Sunday, May 6th, 2018

The Day’s Events:

We took graduation pics with our daughter today then we went on a mile and a half hike. My hips are killing me and it was on rough terrain and that is always something I have to be very careful on because the big belly makes me tend to be “front heavy” and I am more likely to fall down. Stewart’s joints hurt so much it is hard for him to maneuver as well. Thankfully (and sadly) our kids are always quick to helps us get around. But it felt good to get out and hike some and I’m extra tired so I should sleep well. My kids took me out to our favorite Mexican restaurant for an early Mother’s Day (It is way to crowded on the actual weekend of mom’s day) so I blew it on calories but thankfully the extra calories burned on the hike helped.

• Emotions:
  • Stewart: He said as we took pictures of our family, “This will be our last “fat family photos.” He’s anxious to get the surgery done and get it behind him but he wants to be prepared for surgery and tone up some before we get the surgery.
  • Becky: Walking today reminds me WHY I need to get this surgery done. It is painful and awkward and I am self-conscious out on a trail passing other families out hiking. I always wonder what on earth must they be thinking this big ol’ fat lady out here in the forest on a trail. I hate feeling like part of the game “Pick which one that doesn’t belong.” I hate hurting while trying to enjoy something I love so much. I hate that I can not maneuver the way I need to so I can get the perfect shot with a camera. And while I think of all the things I hate about being fat I remember… give me a year and all of this will be different! That thought is scary but exciting too.

Food Choices:

Check out our food & fitness diaries:

Becky’s Food Diary

Stewart’s Food Diary

Exercise:

Used Map My Fitness App and it’s linked to My Fitness Pal!

Stewart’s Exercise Diary

Becky’s Exercise Diary

Till Next week…

Peace, Love, & Blessings,

Becky

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