the2beths

I can’t even believe it. I’ve lost a Henry!

I don’t have many pictures. I know I need to take more but here’s a picture of me in an XL pullover that one of my besties and her husband got me at an auction. I really wanted it because it has “Carly Faye Foundation” on the arm, so it’s two of my favorite things- Catholic Central and Carly!

I’ve been mostly in a 2XL for the last 8-10 years and in the last year I was up to a 3XL. So, to wear this XL and have it fit is a really good feeling.

Today I am starting to try on my spring and summer clothes. It’s so weird that I know so many more will fit or be too big, and I haven’t had that feeling in years, if ever!

Right now I’m sitting on the couch resting. I am a little nauseous because I drank hot coffee. I need to stop. I only drink it on weekends but it never agrees with me so i don’t know why I keep at it. I’m waiting for my anti-nausea med to kick in and I’ll start trying on clothes.

Next week is the last week of school before spring break and I am so ready even though I’ve only been back at work a month. 😆😆

Henry started outdoor soccer and it’s the cutest thing ever.

My dad loves to come watch, and my mom came this week, too.

Well, I am off. I hope y’all have a great weekend.

Xoxo,

Beth WA

I’m so close to -40, but I’ll take it. The weight doesn’t fall off as quick as I thought, so my mind is getting adjusted to that.

Things I’m doing well: tracking everything, measuring everything, exercising

Things I’m not doing well: drinking water and going #2 (TMI, I know, but this used to be so easy for me!)

I’m hoping the water gets better. It’s hard to get it all in when you’re eating five times a day and each time you eat you can’t drink anything 30 minutes prior, 30 minutes after and the 30 minutes you are supposed to take eating the meal. It leaves a small window of drinking time.

I’m trying to be patient and “trust the process” as they say. I’m looking forward to being in general food stage next week and adding in more veggies. I’m hoping that helps with some issues, too. 😆

We had a middle school dance last night and it was so fun!!

I also brought my flashlight to make sure there was room for the Holy Spirit should there be a slow dance.

My coworkers and I all danced and laughed and had a good time.

I’m tired today. My body is sore. I did some jumping that I probably shouldn’t have done.

Well, I am off to make some pulled pork in the crock pot. My parents are coming over for dinner tonight.

Have a good weekend!

Xoxox,

Beth WA

Good morning!

Henry and Craig are at art class at the art museum.

And I just cleaned up the kitchen and living room. Now I’m sitting down for a few before I get ready for the day.

I didn’t end up exercising this week because I am a slacker. BUT- I am starting today. I am taking Henry to a birthday party from 1-3 then after that at some point I am starting. I am hoping it helps with the plateau I’ve been in. I actually busted it this morning but not by much, so I’m hoping to see a big loss this week.

Henry had a bad dream in the middle of the night and didn’t want to go back to sleep so we were up for an hour in the middle of the night. That always kills me. I’m so tired today!!

Last night I had the most normal meal I’ve had since surgery.

I had 2 oz of salmon, about 8 green beans and about 5 pieces of the Bird’s Eye protein veggie pasta cut into little pieces. This picture is taken about half way through my meal. It felt good to eat regular food. It felt weird to only be able to eat such a little bit.

Ok, I’m going to get moving. I hope you have a great weekend.

Xoxo,

Beth WA

Last night Craig and I attended my school’s annual fundraiser that’s an auction. They have a silent and a live auction, a dinner and a successful alumni speaker.

This year our speaker was Debbie Penzone from the Charles Penzone salons. She is a graduate of Catholic Central, my school. She did a great job.

It was a really fun night and it was nice to spend time socializing after being laid up for three weeks. It was also really nice to dress up in clothes that fit comfortably. I’m not comfortable enough to wear a dress yet, but I wore this:

And I was so happy they had food I could eat. The salad had a slice of fresh mozzarella that I enjoyed with the pesto they also had on the salad plate.

For dinner I had part of a twice baked potato and smashed cauliflower and a few bites of chicken piccata.

We ended up with two things from the silent auction. We got a Woeber Mustard basket filled with mustard, and a few Central sweatshirts. I was very excited about that.

The other basket had a Keurig, coffee, a bottle of Jameson and another whiskey and some other coffee fixins. I am super excited about our goods!

Well, tomorrow is the day I start getting up at 5:00 and exercising before work. I fell asleep from 7-8 pm tonight so it’s going to be hard to fall asleep, but at least I know I will fall asleep tomorrow night!

I am also excited because I start soft foods on Tuesday!!! Woot woot!!!!

Have a great Monday, everybody!

Xoxoxo

Beth WA

I have surpassed the 30 pound mark. Yay. I am feeling good. It is a lot easier to get out of bed in the morning. I was never a snooze person my whole life until the last 20 lbs came on. I would hate getting out of bed.

I also have energy throughout the day which is nice. But man I am tired at the end of the day. I went back to work Thursday and had the most amazing night’s sleep Thursday night. I also went to my surgeon’s office and got taken off one of my two blood pressure pills. She said the second one would probably follow soon after. This is great news.

Yesterday I worked, then in the evening I went to a birthday party for one of my very dear friends. I attended the event with Henry’s godmother, and we had a really good time. Carly’s mom was there, also, and we just had a really fun evening laughing and talking.

By the time I got home at 10:30 my abdomen was so sore from being upright all day. And I was wiped out!! I slept for almost 10 hours. And it felt so good.

Here’s my most recent picture.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Xoxox,

Beth WA

So, for the last several days I’ve been staying pretty much the same weight, down maybe a pound and a half. This is common in this process and it’s funny to me it is at the 30 pound mark. It’s funny because 30 lbs is the most I’ve ever lost in any diet I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to surpassing this mark, hopefully in the next few days.

In good news, I was able to wear one of my favorite shirts that had gotten too tight:

Well, off to enjoy my last Friday off before i go back to work next Thursday! The best part is that I’m only back to work for three weeks then we have Spring Break. Woohoo!

Xoxox,

Beth WA

Well, I was so excited for this day. But man, once it came to eating I was so nervous. I just didn’t want to throw up!

It is so hard for me to wrap my head around how little I can eat compared to before surgery. And it’s been eye opening to me to silence the voice in my head that is wanting to eat large quantities of food all of the time. I can’t believe how much food i would’ve eaten had I not been sleeved these last four weeks. This has been a learning process to listen to my body, not my head, not my impulses.

Anyway, here’s my breakfast, before and after. About 3 oz of cottage cheese.

Here’s my lunch, one scrambled egg with about a teaspoon of goat cheese crumbles:

And finally my dinner, which was my favorite. It was a recipe I made from the binder of recipes my doctor’s office gave me. It’s cottage cheese mixed with sugar free cool whip and a jello packet. I used raspberry jello.

I could’ve licked this clean.

For snacks I had protein shakes. And on the protein shake subject, I am so happy that GNC has back in stock their Cookie Butter shake. It’s my favorite.

Well, I’m out of things to talk about. 😆

Have a great night.

Xoxox

Beth WA

So, I’m almost two weeks post op, and including the pre op diet, I’ve lost around 30 lbs. I can definitely feel it. All of my largest clothes are super loose. Most of those clothes were bought in the last 6 months out of desperation. I don’t have many pictures because I’ve been wearing sweats and pajama pants every day, because elastic waist feels best on my stomach. But here is one day I wore real clothes.

The pants are super big but the shirt is one I couldn’t wear any more because it had gotten way too tight and now I can wear it.

Tomorrow I start purées and I can’t wait. I’ve been down in the dumps. It’s hard not eating, hanging mostly at home, and not spending money. Hahaha. But today Henry and I got outside because the weather was finally nice enough! We went on a small walk and it was just what the doctor ordered to get me motivated to do a few other things around the house that I needed to do.

I have a Shipt order in to be delivered this afternoon to make my purées. Some things I’m going to be having; cottage cheese, scrambled egg, baked ricotta casserole, puréed cauliflower casserole, cottage cheese bake, mashed sweet potato. I can not wait. I think it will give me more energy. And the protein shakes are practically making me gag I’m so sick of them.

I go back to school next Thursday and I am so excited to be back in the swing of things although it’s going to be a super busy fourth quarter. But the good news is I’ll have more energy!

Hope all is well with everybody and thanks for all who have checked in on me regularly.

Xoxox

Beth WA

Almost one week ago today! That’s how long it’s been since surgery. I’ve been on a liquid diet for three weeks. That’s so crazy to me. I’ve lost crazy amounts of weight in that three weeks. 27 lbs to be exactly. But it’s hard. I mean your stomach wouldn’t let you eat the food but it all looks and sounds good.

Luckily he is so cute, because he is eating Papa John’s right next to me!

Aside front that, things are going well. There’s been no real bad pain, mostly soreness in my main incision. But I stopped the prescription pain meds a few days ago and just take Tylenol in the morning and the night.

I definitely get tired easily. This afternoon I passed out at 3:45 until 6:00!! I’ll pay for that by being up half the night, I’m sure.

The hardest part is keeping up with fluids and protein. It’s getting better each day but it’s a full time job. I wish it wasn’t 15 degrees out so I could walk down the street instead of around the house. I’m trying to rack up my step count.

I did my nails last night to perk myself up:

And my friend sent me this poem in the mail. ♥️

I’ve been so blessed with support and love from friends and family. I am such a lucky girl.

Also, I must mention that I’m devastated by the death of Luke Perry. 😢

RIP, Dylan McKay. 💗💗

Xoxox

Beth WA