JeriBrown

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I have been eating better and feel like I am slowly getting back on track.  I have taken the necessary steps to start the weight loss support group, now I just have to hope that people show up.  I am still not moving around enough and the stress level has been high lately.  But moving in the right direction anyway.

Jeri

I have not posted in so very long!   Decided that this was part of the problem and desperately need to get back on track.  I went to the doctor last Tuesday and I gained 6lbs.  What the heck and why can’t I get this right?  This was supposed to be my new life and I was supposed to be losing weight like crazy.  Well it is time to get serious and I have to start getting this weight off.

1^st> I decided to get another fill.  I am now up to 6.5cc and am going to start eating healthier and not eating around my band.

2^nd> I am going to start posting again and keeping track of what I am eating.

3^rd> My children and I are joining the fitness club and we are going to start going as much as possible.  Even if I cannot do much I can at least do something and get out of the house.  My daughter wants to lose the 15 lbs she has gained over summer and get back into her clothes.  My son is going up and up on the scales and desperately needs to get his weight under control.  He has heart disease and 2 artificial heart valves, so it is a life and death situation with him. I have got to get down to 350 lbs so I can get the cancer out of me!  Lately I have had the cancer scared feelings again.  I need to start losing!

4^th> I am going to start the weight loss support group that I talked about starting before.  I desperately need to get more support.  We will be meeting at Branford Fitness for those of you who live in the Lake City/Branford area.  Our first meeting is scheduled for September 2^nd at 6:30PM.  We will decide then when our next meetings will be held.  Hopefully if I throw my efforts into making this a great support group it will give me the extra help I need.  Anyone from this area, please come and join us.  You do not need to pay anything or join the fitness club to be a member.  We will be meeting for support, exercise, friendship and more.

5^th> Most important of all I am going to start going to church again beginning this Sunday.  I need to really focus on the important things in life and I need fellowship and religion in my life again.  A great gal has been inviting me to join her on Sundays at a new church she has started attending and this Sunday I am going no matter what!

6^th > I am starting a wall of inspiration at home this week.  I am going to post my goals on it and some pics of inspiration to me.  I am going to try and stay positive every day and get out of this go nowhere routine I am in.

7^th > I am going to get my act together and get my school loans out of default so I can go back to school again when I do get my life back on course.  I really want to go back to school and finish my education.  I really would like to major in education and teach.

8^th > Last but not least, I am going to get out of this house more and start socializing more.  I really need to be a better friend to those who have reached out to me.  I really need friendship in my life and I miss the contact of the outside world.  I am also going to get my son out of the house more.  He wants to get a job and he needs to start focusing on going to college and getting his act together.  He has fallen into the trap of day in and day out with me at home and desperately needs some friends of his own.  I am creating a recluse and it cannot possible be healthy for him.  I feel so guilty and know that I am failing him as a mother.

These are my goals.  I am going to do my very best to keep them and hold myself accountable for my life.  I owe it to myself and I owe it to my children.  I know I am baring my soul so to speak, but it is needed.  So with a tear on my face and a new found determination in my heart, I say a prayer for strength to accomplish these goals and take control of my life.  Thank you any and all for taking the time to share this long overdue and needed moment.  God Bless and Good Night

Jeri

I went to the Doc today and am happy to report that I was down 7 lbs.  I have lost a total of 9.5 lbs this month.  That felt really good.  I am going to start the weight loss group on July 1st.  Had to postpone it due to car trouble.  Plus I need to get the word out there.  I was happy with the loss.  Was really worried that I hadn't lost any.  The doc didn't want to give me another fill but agreed to 1cc.  So now I am at 5.2cc total.

Total guilt trip though, I came home and was starving, ate my liquids like I was supposed to and was still starving.  Well, my daughter brought home chips and dip yesterday, something I never eat anymore at all.  I must confess I eventually caved and ate chips and dip.  I am supposed to be on clear liquids today first of all, and second of all, CHips and Dip!  I hate that I have no self control sometimes.  Very frustrated with myself.  I am going to try to stick to all liquids tomorrow all day. 

I pray that the group goes well.  I think this will be a great help to me and others.  In the meantime, tomorrow is another day, I am down 7 more pounds, and life is good.

Jeri

I have been doing better on eating, however I still find that I am not sticking to a diet as much as I would like to.  I went to the regular doc last Wed. and everything was great.  I was down 2 lbs from the week before so at least I did not gain.  I have decided to stop whining and do something about it!

I called the only fitness place around me and talked to the guy about joining as a family.  The fee is very reasonable (60.00 a month for all three of us) and I was very impressed with the owner.  They give you a key and it is a 24 hr. access.  This is great for me, because I am always up late.

Anyway I also spoke to him about starting a support group there.  He was all for it and said that I could hold it there any evening I wanted.  So, I am starting a health/fitness/support/need to get off my butt and do something about my weight group.  We will meet for the first time on July 1st at 6:30PM.  This day and time is not written in stone for future meetings.  I figured we would discuss details at the first meeting.  I would like to have discussions, contests, excersize/walking groups and more.  But I need others to jump in on the bandwagon.  I have a couple of people coming already.  If you are in the Branford, FL area at all and would like to come join in, please do so.  If you have any questions you can contact me here.  I will check my mail here more often.  Spread the word and help me make this happen.  I feel this would be a great help to me and hopefully to others as well.

Branford Fitness (104 Suwannee Ave)

Tuesday, July 1st at 6:30PM

Jeri

It has been just over a week after my first fill.  I am still feeling hungry and still able to eat just about everything.  I definitely want another fill.  I really do not feel much restriction.  I am still eating much much less than pre-op, however, I still think I am eating too much.  Falling back into the habit of only eating once or twice a day.  Do not like that.  Well, we shall see next Tuesday when I go for another fill.  I can not weigh at home, so I am anxious to see how I am doing.  

I was looking at my profile and realized that I really did not have any recent pics of my kids, so I have uploaded some new pics of them as well.

My friend and I were talking on the phone and I was telling her about the smoothies that my brother makes.  Great source of nutrition, filling and low in calories.  She asked me to post the recipes on my site so I am doing so below. 

You can mix up the fruit and chose what ever fruits you like.  The consistancy and potassium level is better with the banana in them.  The banana also makes the taste much sweeter.  I like no banana and frozen mixed berries for something refreshing and different.  You can add lemon or lime juice to for a more tart taste.

"Power Fruit Smoothie"

1/2 banana

1/2 -3/4 cup "Activia" Vanilla Yogurt

1/2 c. Vanilla Silk Soy Milk

Mixed Frozen Fruit (about 1 1/2-2 cups) (fruit of your choice)

**for added nutrition add: 1 1/2 tsp. wheat germ & 1 Tbsp. protein powder

Put all ingredients into blender.  Mix until desired consistency and you have one yummie frozen smoothie.

"Chocolate Peanut Butter-Banana Protein Smoothie"

1 serving Chocolate Protein Powder (of your choice)

2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter (chunky or smooth, whatever you prefer!)

1-2 Squirts of Hershey's sugar-free or reduced calorie chocolate syrup

1 Tbsp. wheat germ

6oz. - Silk Soy Milk (flavor of your choice)

Blend in blender until desired consistency.  For a frozen smoothie blend with ice.

Both are a great source of protein, fruit, fiber, potassium, and lots more.

Hope you all enjoy them as much as I do.

Jeri

It has been ages since I have posted anything on my site.  So much has been happening.  I was having major computer problems as well.  I just received my computer back, after finally getting both the motherboard and the hard drive replaced!  That is pretty much the guts of your computer!

First of all I have now healed completely.   You can connect the dots on my stomach, but all is healed and well.  My brother and his girlfriend moved in and were staying with us.  I am so glad to have them up here, they found a great place to rent so I am glad to have my house back now.

My little Jack Russell Terrier, "Peanut", was attacked by two Pitt Bulls from across the street.  It was one of the most traumatic events of my life!  I was home alone.  He was attacked in my garage.  I used a stick to try and beat them off, was terrified they would turn on me, but only one of them ran off.  The other one would not stop until my dog was dead.  Fortunately some brave hero ran from next door at the Jiffy when he heard me screaming and literally picked the Pitt Bull up by the collar and carried it to its owner.

A thousand dollars later and a very close and traumatized trip to the vet for staples and xrays and he is okay.  He is actually doing great.  God must have heard our prayers, because he is doing fine now. 

My car is broke down and my brother is having trouble finding out what is wrong.  So long story short with all of this stress, I discovered I am definitely a stress eater!  I did not get to the Doc for my first fill until last Tuesday and I discovered I gained back 9 lbs!

Sooo, I am now regrouped and back to a strict diet of high protein and low carbs.  I also had my first fill of 4cc so I am eating much much less.  I find I still am hungry, especially at night, but am trying to keep to it and stop eating at night.  I am a night owl and find it hard not to munch.

Getting my first fill was a major ordeal!  I was too short for the "mri" machine to reach my port.  The Doc didn't want to do a fill without checking to make sure everything was good.  What a joke! The Doc (who probably weighs 130lbs soaking wet) says "You can lean on me."  I can see the head lines now... "Doc killed by obese patient, Smashed Flat!"...Fortunately my brother was there and I leaned on him to step on two step stools and was able to stand long enough for him to see that everything was ok.  Then they tried laying me down flat on a table and the machine would not fit over my belly!!!! LOL!  Sooo, after waiting around all day and killing my self standing on stools, I told the Doc I was leaving and going home.  The plan was to have my brother build me a step that I could stand on so that I would be tall enough for the machine!

As fate would have it, after all that, the doc decided to give it a try with just feeling for the port, and Voila it was done in about  2 minutes!  So I jokingly said that I was going to have a tatoo of an X on the spot where my port is; and the nurse hands me a purple permanent marker after drawing a circle on the spot on my stomach and says it is my job to keep the circle drawn there until I come back to the doc! LOL!  Hey what ever works, right?  So I now have a purple bullseye permanently drawn on my tummy.

Well it is now 5:00 in the morning so I am going to sign off.  Just wanted to post a note for my journal and give a shout out to all of you.  Carol M had here surgery last Monday and is doing terrific.  I went to see her in the hospital and finally met her face to face.  We would both really like to start a support group in our area.  Anyone who is in the Branford/Lake City area who is interested give me a shout.

Jeri

Went to the Doctor on Tuesday and had my stitch taken out.  I am healing up terrificly.  The spot on my stomach is now almost completely healed.

I lost 6 lbs this week!!  Feeling good about that.  I was worried because I ate Apple Pie (with Vanilla Ice Cream!) on Easter and on Monday again.  But ate good the rest of the week.  Dr. Brient said that he does not think I even need a fill at this time.  That I am obviously feeling some restriction and losing weight, so I am doing good.

Beautiful Spring weather.  I need to get out more.  Was having some issues with Charlie Horses in my feet and legs.  I am still taking my lasix and my Potassium pills are not crushable (time released).  This caused a deficiency in Potassium.  Was eating avacados and drinking PlumSmart.  When I stopped this I started having major cramps in my legs OOUCH!  Anyway Dr. B gave me a perscription for liquid potassium. (kind of like alchiseltzer)  Not terrific in taste but I disguise it in diet orange flavored Crystal Light. 

Now I need to focus on walking more.  I desperately need to start excercising some. Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

Jeri

I have been cracking down on what I eat again.  Trying to stick to a high protein and low carb.  I ate part of a roasted chicken salad from Texas Road House tonight.  I had no problem with the chicken.  I notice that I am less restricted now in what I eat as far as amount.  Before I could only eat about 1/4 cup of anything and I was full.  Now I can eat about 1 cup and I am full.  I think my first fill will be good for me.  I still catch myself eating too fast and not chewing enough some times.  Boy does that make it difficult to get something down! 

My stomach is healing great.  It is actually closing itself up now.  I feel better now that I know it is healing up properly.

Doing good and staying positive!

Jeri

Have been keeping busy the last couple of days.  I had a few over eating episodes this week that I was unhappy about.  No way did I eat like I used to, however I ate much more than I should.  I ate too much speghetti one day for lunch.  And I ate way too many triscuits with cream cheese on another day.  I think it is because I went a long time without eating and was so hungry.  Then I ate too quickly and too much.  I hate when I eat like the "fat kid", but lets face it that is why I couldn't stick to a diet before. 

I have been doing really good though the last two days.  I am trying to eat more often so I eat less at a time.  I had a really bad episode with chicken yesterday.  After my trip to the doc, (my brother took me :), terrific brother), we stopped at KFC because we were starving and had not eaten.  I got a twister.  I ate about 1/3 of it and felt full.  So I stopped eating and saved the rest for later.  Anyway by the time we got to the pharmacy I was feeling hungry, my stomach was hurting.  So I literally took about 1 1/2 bites of twister and got a sudden sharp pain in my chest, could not swallow and felt as though I was choking.  VERY SCARY!!  My stomach tried to upheave and I was really hurting for about 5-10 minutes.  My brother was concerned and very patient.  It passed and I was fine.  The other night my son made chicken breast with brown rice.  I ate about 3 bites of chicken and fed the rest to the dogs.  I have decided not to try chicken again for a while.

Dr. Brient looked at my stomach  stitch yesterday.  He poked a cue tip about 3 inches into my stomach and squeezed out some fluid.  It was weird and kind of gross.  But he said it is healing well.  The fluid was clear and it looked clean and was healing well.  He decided to leave the stitch in for one more week and put me on another week of Leviquin (antibiotic). 

Lost 2.5 lbs this week.  Am not drinking water like a should.  I know I am not drinking enough at all.  I still am having trouble with that.  And as a result I was a little constipated this week.  Was off blood pressure meds too and my blood pressure was really high.  Am now back on meds and am doing much better.  I go back to the doc in one week again.  Hopefully I will have lost more.

Feeling good and staying positive.

jeri