NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

@its_cleo It was really interesting and even better because it was free! Wow, cool trips. Yeah, a mortgage is important to pay, lol! It is nice to dream. I think you are doing great. The takeout was just a blip on the timeline. Just get back to it! OH, I just read your latest comment, yay for being back on it!

@theslightedgeforever Interesting, I love both! lol I am working remotely this next week and I'll see the surgeon tomorrow so I will ask him for special accomodations to work from home two more weeks (this week and next). They can't deny doctor's orders! You are exactly right about being your own advocate. I try to keep that in mind. I think it is fluid: I read something along those lines...I was on the liquid diet and then had a sudden diet change. They want me to weigh in once a week and that's what I am doing, although I am tempted to weigh in more often. But I won't. The hawks are really cool. We get hawks in the canyon that we live by, hawks and crows fighting (crows always start it). The event was amazing. What's stopping you from stretching?

@fabgeekmom Yeah it's a pretty cool community that encourages me to stand up for myself and gives me answers and support when I need it. Yesterday was a fun day. It must be really cold still at your house. That's good you stay in. Good job with the bike and meeting your protein goal. I love chicken satay. Yummy dinner.

The Hawk Watch program was so cool! We saw turkey vultures, hawks, a young bald eagle, all flying above us in the grasslands. They also had several types of owls and hawks as animal ambassadors that they walked around and talked about. It was incredible! Here are some pics from it. I was really tired after the hawk watch so I came home and took a 1 1/2 hour nap. We went to the comedy show, it was more expensive than we thought but we still went and had a good time. Most of the comedians were funny.

Water yesterday: 50 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@fabgeekmom Thank you! It was fun. Yeah, it makes sense to me, too. I'm sure the surgeon will give me the 2 weeks at home. That's good the snow is mostly gone. Good job with the bike! I like steel-cut oats. I hope you enjoyed dinner.

@its_cleo I made your soup last night but haven't had a chance to taste it yet. It was very easy to make! Thanks again for the recipe.

Hi all. Today, I go to see the surgeon to ask about the 2 more weeks working from home. I'm feeling better but I know if I go back, I will feel bad again. I made two soups yesterday, one was a black bean soup that was super easy and the other was easy too, it was @its_cleo 's butternut quash/lentil/pear soup. I had the black bean soup for dinner and it was really good. I can't wait to taste the other one as well.

Water yesterday: 55 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@trooworld I’m glad you’re feeling better. The soups sound good. @its_cleo That’s good that you have an idea as to what the MRI will be like. Good job on meeting calorie goals. It’s a little warmer here but it’s still cold. Hi, all. Dinner was good last night. Today is a swim day. Dinner is a burger meal. I’ve been doing well with meeting my protein goal.

@its_cleo It was delicious! The only thing I did differently was to add a can of chicken breast for added protein. But it was soooo good and easy to make! Thank you, the event was a lot of fun. Thank you! Yay for a good day yesterday! That's good you found some videos of what to expect, that always helps me when I have to have some procedure, to know what is coming.

@fabgeekmom Thank you. The soup was good! Sounds like you are doing really well overall. Congrats on meeting your protein goal.

@cbabie Awww, what a sweet guy! I'm glad you got to spend some time with him. I'm glad you got good results. I've always heard if you deny yourself, you'll end up focusing on that food and possibly binging on it, so it's good you aren't like that. I'm glad you popped in.

Hi all. The doctor's visit went well. The surgeon wants me to work from home this week and next. He said that how I am feeling is totally normal. He also said (about my gain) that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and to talk to him in 6 months and tell him if I'm still unhappy about my weight journey. He said to trust the process. So, I will. He said I'm doing great. Since I cannot walk for exercise because of my knee, I have to come up with stationary stuff. I ordered the below pilates bar kit and found a lot of videos on YouTube with routines using it. It doesn't take up a lot of room so I think this will work out well. I also ordered some lighter dumbbells to supplement the bar.

Water yesterday: 63.5 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@cbabie I know you and your DH were sad to see your grandson leave. It’s good that you are so close. I agree with @trooworld that it’s important not to deprive yourself. There are always snacks in my house and I usually have a few pieces of chocolate after dinner. @trooworld I know you feel reassured after seeing the surgeon. The palates kit looks interesting. It will be good to work from home. @its_cleo Good job on staying within calories and losing weight. Of course, a lot of healthy foods are expensive. Hi, all. I’m staying home today and working out on the bike. DS is making za’tar chicken and a green bean/potato dish from America’s Test Kitchen for dinner.

Hey everyone, cold here but at least it's sunny. I like the sun.

On my two walks today that I can do- one I have to go to the library to pick up a book and the other I have to get groceries. I have to figure what to make for dinner, I have no idea lol. Was thinking a chicken stew. I'm working today also, but it should be quiet.

@trooworld I was looking into pilates before my hip injury was confirmed. I'm interested in trying it out once I get the go ahead to exercise more. I need exercises to strengthen the muscles around my hip joints and thought that would help. I do know it's a tough workout. I can't stand yoga, so I thought about trying instead.

@theslightedgeforever yes, it's great buying equipment, using it is another matter lol.

@cbabie, yep gotta take care of your knees. I call my hip mobility stuff I have to do my old lady exercises lol. ...I totally agree about quinoa. I dislike couscous even more. It's like wallpaper paste lol.

I made a lunch with the buckwheat, like a mixed bowl with buckwheat, sweet potato, chicken, goat cheese. Spinach. Balsamic dressing. I could've/should've added some more veggies but I was too lazy to cut them lol.

@theslightedgeforever The cold weather does make it hard to exercise. As you know, I do indoor exercises. It’s been cold and windy here. @cbabie I hope you get back into a routine and do your knee exercises. You’ll feel better. @trooworld It’s good that you are staying home so you can exercise and rest. It takes a long time to recover from surgery. @ its_cleo Your lunch sounds good. Hopefully you will like Palates. @fancyladyJeri Welcome! I’m also a Lifetime member but stopped going to meetings as they are too far for me to drive to. I think calorie counting is easier than counting points as the calories never change but the points system doesn’t.

Hey welcome @fancyladyJeri!

@trooworld I got as far as getting the ingredients lol. I ended up getting takeout last night, bc I had more work to do than I thought lol. But just a burger, so hopefully it didn't set me back too much. I'll make the stew today. Actually it's a chicken pot pie recipe, but I don't want the crust part bc of the calories. Although that is the best part lol. Glad the pilates is going well.

@fabgeekmom yeah I think ultimately counting calories is the best thing.

Short today as I'm trying to get a bunch of stuff done today bc I have tomorrow off for my MRI and arthrogram. My doctor also emailed me last night bc I have to get some bloodwork done bc I'm anemic too, but I'm really hoping my numbers are improved since the last time. I would go today for the bloodwork but not sure I will have time. I think I can go on Monday. I'm super tired of dealing with this health stuff, it's been one thing after another since last August.

I hope everyone has a good day!

@trooworld You’re doing so well in your recovery! @its_cleo A burger is not that bad. I agree that the crust is the best part but I would also leave it out. I know it’s frustrating dealing with health issues. @cbabie I agree that it’s important to stick to a program. I’m sorry you are so tired. Hi, all. DH and I went to the recreation center and worked out on the recumbent elliptical. I listened to Ina Garten’s memoir while working out. I’ve been listening to it all afternoon. It’s really good. Afterwards we went to Sam’s Club and I bought ribeye steaks, ground beef and some other stuff. DS made mushroom soup for lunch. Plus we had chicken from last night. Now he’s making marinara sauce with ground turkey sausage. The house smells really good!

@its_cleo Lol, well some days are like that, aren't they? I hope you got your work done okay. I agree, the crust is the best part! I hope the MRI and arthrogram go well today. I'll be thinking of you.

@cbabie Yes, you don't want to be in a wheelchair. Keep at it, it will come. I'm glad I can work from home, too, although I am getting bored lol. Let me know how you like the exercise portion of your program. Thank you!

@fabgeekmom Thank you! That's good you guys got out of the house and did the recumbent elliptical. I like Ina Garten, I'll have to put that on my wishlist. I love mushroom soup. Yummy!

Hi all. After last week's 2 lb gain, I needed the loss I got today: I lost 5.8 lbs! I'm so happy. I've lost a total of 24 lbs since surgery. It's been 4 weeks now and even though I've been really tired, I'm really glad I did this. I did not do my Pilates yesterday so I am going to try to do two of the workouts today to make up for yesterday. We'll see. Yesterday, I chose to clean up my desk instead: it was loaded with crap that didn't need to be there. I still have to put all that stuff I took off the desk somewhere lol.

Water yesterday: 54.4 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

Hello everyone. @cbabie I am surprised you know another Jeri. I have only met someone spelling their name like mine once.

I did pretty good yesterday and would have met my goal 100% had I not given in to Costco samples. LOL. A long time ago I made an agreement with myself that they would be called zero point foods even if I knew that wasn’t true. LOL.

Today we took grands to Dairy Queen and I had a grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo. Quite good actually and no I didn’t give in and have ice cream. NSV for sure.

@trooworld Wow you did great. Cleaning up desk - I need to do that.

@fabgeekmom Sounds like a good day with good activity.

@its_cleo. Good luck with your mri. Bet you are glad to have that done.

I have been in awful pain yesterday and today. Glutes driving me crazy and making it hard to climb the stairs. So only two seven minute walks today I was able to get in to see my physiotherapist on next Tuesday. Hope she can help.

Good luck everyone

Jeri

@fabgeekmom Thank you! My clothes are fitting a little better. They were too tight before the surgery, so now they are fitting more appropriately. Yes, my desk sorely needed it! I hope you enjoyed the swim. I hope you enjoyed steak night.

@fancyladyJeri Good job! Those samples can be hard to resist lol. That was a good choice at Dairy Queen. Definitely an NSV not having ice cream. Thank you! Yeah, I've been needing to clean up my desk for a LONG time! I'm glad I finally did. I'm sorry about the pain. I hope she can help, too. That's good you cut down your walks.

Hello everyone! I did not do the workouts yesterday, I was planning on doing them before work but by the time I dropped off my husband at his job (we share the car) and came home, I didn't have time. Then at lunch, I was really tired and needed to rest. I will get some activity in this weekend. We got a Ninja Creami which will allow me to make high protein low fat/cals ice cream treats. I'm excited to try it this weekend.

Water yesterday: 67.3 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@fabgeekmom BLT’s - I don’t remember that but funny and apt. I was proud of me at DQ

@its_cleo take it easy for sure and the stretching will help.

@trooworld samples are a challenge for sure. I bet you really enjoy your desk now that it’s cleaned out. Tell me about the ninja creami. I have been looking at them for some time and wondering if it would work for me. Looking for some recipes from you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I think we have a pretty low profile today. We slept in which is really nice not having to get up at 7 o’clock. I’m not quite as sore as I was yesterday, I’ve been taking Voltaren. Voltaren is hard on my stomach, so we’ll see how I make out. I hope to do some stretching this afternoon and maybe an easy workout if I’m able to do it. I really don’t wanna cause any aggravation.

Have a wonderful day, everybody

Jeri in Calgary Alberta

@its_cleo Thank you! I'm glad the MRI and arthrogram went okay. I hope you do the stretching, and I hope it helps.

@fancyladyJeri Yes, the desk looks much better and I don't feel claustrophobic sitting at it lol. What intrigued me about the Ninja Creami is that you can make high-protein ice cream recipes that are low in cals as well. Here is a website with some recipes: https://idreamoficecream.com/category/ninja-creami-recipes/ I haven't made any yet, but they sound good and I've watched YouTube videos that make it seem really simple to do. I have (2!) other ice cream makers and I don't use them because they are complicated to make ice cream with...you have to make a custard on the stove that is a fussy recipe and you have to cool it in the fridge for 18 hours. The Ninja Creami recipes require no eggs and takes about 5 minutes to mix up, then you freeze it for 24 hours and then put it in the Ninja Creami and it takes a few minutes to make your ice cream. I'll share when I make the ice cream, it will probably be tomorrow. That's good you slept in. It feels good, doesn't it? I am glad you aren't as sore.

@fabgeekmom Yes, it really is. I was overstuffed before the surgery, my clothes way too tight but I hid it with long sweaters. Now, I don't have to do that! Good job with the bike. I bet dinner was good.

Hi all. I had a fun day yesterday: I ran around doing errands and getting groceries most of the day until I went to my book club meeting at 5. It's a silent book club (https://silentbook.club/ ) where basically you read whatever book you want to read and meet and talk about what you are reading and then we silently read for about 90 minutes. We met at a wine bar and I had coffee, my first caffeinated coffee since surgery (Jeri, I had a gastric bypass on 12/20). It was a really nice group. At first, I thought it was a mistake to come: there were already established cliques and couples. My husband didn't come with me. I sat beside a nice and welcoming man. After we introduced our books and read silently, there was a socialization period. I talked with 3 other people that were super nice and we discussed how hard it was to make friends as an adult. It was a wonderful experience. After that, I picked up my husband and we went for more coffee. It was fun.


Water yesterday: 40 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."