Pre-Op Diet Week 6

Supposedly the last week before the big operation (next post will explain further).  But the day before the operation I went and did my final weigh in.  Lost another 1.9 kilos, which brought the pre op weight loss to 15.1 kilos.  I was stoked!  So were the people at the surgery - saying it was probably one of the highest weight losses and could be a record (I was hoping this was true, as deep down, I'm kind of competitive and a bit of a geek, so its kind of like more of a win! ;)  )

So 15.1 kilos - thats 33.2lbs or 2 Stone, 5.2 lbs - YAY!

Going out for my departmental dinner to Silver Spoon on Wednesday was another achivement and avoidance of temptation.  I think I have developed a small fear of carbs, and even though for my main I had a butter bean puree under my eye fillet steak (which was divine) - because it looked like mashed potatoes, I couldn't bring myself to eat more than a mouthful before giving it away and swapping it for someone's salad - CRAZY!!!  Anyway, avoided entrees, breads, dessert, and alcohol - good effort Cassie :)

So what weighs 15.1 kilos?   Lets see!

This fish

This bike

This pig which serves 50 people!

This amount of seized cannabis

And the cat on the left.



More Baking Efforts!

So at the weekend, decided to do some more baking, including some Christmas treats.  Did not have a single bite of anything I made.  Strangely enough - it felt theraputic making it, and definitely did not make me hungry.

So I made:

Christmas Mince Tarts - Mince soaked in lots of brandy (These lasted maybe an hour or two)

The tried and true date scone

The ever popular Rum Balls

and Banana and cinnamon loaf

Loving the baking and will soon attempt my first Christmas cake and truffles :)

Pre-Op Diet Week 5

This week  was a 1.7kg  loss, so that means 13.2 kilos all up (29.1lbs).  I'm stoked.  This week has been good.  Have managed to exercise a little more, which is great - makes me happy!

The actual diet is getting manageable - The hunger is disappearing.  I do get the tummy rumbles but I can live with it now.  The only time of day I struggle a little is just before lunch as it has been about 6 hours since my shake.  So it is understandable.  I make sure I have a coffee at interval as it gives me a little boost.

So one more week.....becoming so real now!

So what weighs 13.2 kilos???

This camera holder

This bike

This chair



 This fish

And this TV!

Not much else to report on Week 5 - bring on the last week!

What Not to Wear

Last week took the Mother in law to a fundraiser for a local College (some Vietnam trip - I wish my school went on cool trips like that)  basically along the same lines as "What not to wear" the TV with Trinny and Susannah.  A lady - Lisa O'Neill who used to work in the fashion industry goes around the country talking to women of all ages (not being sexist - there were literally no men there!) about how to make the best of what they have and what to and what not to wear.

It was a brilliant, funny and very informative evening!  There were also raffles  - Joan got wine, I won an broach and scarf, jewellery stalls - yes I bought more accessories, and supper.  Score there was something I could eat there - celery sticks!!!!  woo hoo didn't have any competition with others there ;)

Anyway, what did I learn from the evening???

Well my body shape is an Apple 

What Does an O Shape (Apple) Body look like?

O shaped bodies carry their weight through their middle. Quite often they have a slim leg (which should be shown off). Usually they have a short waist, which is why they put their weight on first at stomach rather than on their hips and thighs like the A (pear) shape body does.

O shape bodies shoulders and hips may be narrower than their tummy, or may just be kind of even, but there is a rounded appearance. Often the shoulders are not square, but slope a little, and so the curve starts high and ends at the hips.

Often an O shape body was an H shape (rectangle) before they put on weight. It's very unusual for an O shape to have ever had a really defined waist.

And what did it mean that for me......

Well she highlighted that great shoes will draw attention away from my problem areas - I took that as buy more shoes :)  I knew I could never have too many pairs of shoes, and justified my purchasing of three pairs the day before!

Wear V necks - low line - great skin at neckline - don't wear skivvys or anything high around the neck!

Wear dark on top, and lighter or patterns below

Apparently I had great ankles and should highlight them (shoes!! :) )

Because I'm bigger, accessories should be chunky and bigger - keep it in proportion!

I learnt a lot - if you ever see Lisa O'Neill in your area for a fundraiser - go - it is informative and very entertaining :)

Pre Op Week 4

Week 4 was an improvement on Week 3 by a long shot.  Although seniors were still in for tutorials, there were no classes with them and only those who wanted to learn were there.  Win win!

Because of less stress, I think I had a bit more energy to spare, yay!  This week I managed some walks, and two workouts with my PT.  Although hard to got there, it was was so worth it, and I felt better for it afterwards.

This weeks weight loss was 1 kilo - less than last week but still in the right direction.  This totals 11.5 kilos or 25.35 lbs (1,81 stone) in total :)  Two more weeks to go until the op.  Excited - it seems so real now.  A few jitters but more excitement.

Other things - adoption process has moved forward slightly, have been placed in an education series in March/April and people have recieved referee forms to fill out.  Im guessing we have passed the medical and police checks so can move on to the next stage.  All good!

Senior prizegiving was on Thursday.  Did over indulge a little on the free coke zero afterwards (took a while to sleep that evening ;)) but was not tempted by the food spread, instead happily passing plates around to others.


PICS FROM WEEK 1

PICS FROM WEEK 4

Although week 4 pics are closer, I do see slight differences.  My stomach has lifted slightly and is just a little flatter.  My top at the shoulders now falls off to one side more often and is a little longer due to this.  The top is also looser along with the denim pants (yes these are different to week one, but these did not fit 4 weeks ago :) )  My butt may have decreased just a little too...I'm hoping.  All positive though and good to actually see there are physical changes!

So what weighs 11.5 kilos......

 This baby

 This snapper

And this baby llama!!

Pre-op Diet Week 3

Week three saw the lowest point in this journey so far in terms of energy and general strength.  My will power was tested the most this week to stay on track.  Good news - I did!

My tiredness does show physically.  Ive started getting the comments of looking wiped out, bags under eyes and looking pale.  Can see why this preop diet and in general the optifast diet is not a long term thing.  Have had a little more red than white meat this week to keep my iron levels up (and hopefully reduce paleness!)

So anyway, had a day of on the Wednesday and slept most of it.  Felt a lot better for it to be honest, and now coping a lot better.  I think with school being hectic this week with the seniors leaving - energy levels were drained.

This week also saw the first signs of looking like I had lost some weight. I have now lost 10.5 kilos as at 7th November.   My jeans are a lot more comfortable, and have got a couple of comments saying Im looking a bit different.  A couple said they can see the 9 kilos from last week had gone.  It's nice to hear.  My efforts are working :) 

My dietitcian emailed and was pleased with the progress to date.  I was worried about the dramatic weight loss from the past two weeks, but she said it would have been a lot of fluid and it would slow down.  This week it had with 1.5 kilos lost.  While I do realise it is still a good weight loss, I couldn't help but hoping for more.  I know its silly.  I'm still losing and that's the main thing.  I did ask about cottage cheese (I love the stuff - light of course).  The dietician said as I was doing long term optifast, it would be ok but to restrict the meat more.  Sorry...I like the meat too much.  I look forward to it each day.  I will live without the cottage cheese for now.  Other thing - while gross have been 'blocked up'  - finally found alpine tea at the supermarket - wonderful stuff - now very regular :)

In the mail this week was a letter from my surgeon to my GP (I got a copy) stating the surgery was going ahead on November 26th and how I had chosen Lap Band surgery, and results of the consultation and his positive opinions about my commitment to the surgery and weight loss to date.  It was good to read it in print.

There were three main tests to my diet this week.  Two involved end of year treats with my two Year 13 classes. The first, taking one class to breakfast at McDonalds.  I passed with with having a trim mocha only :).  The second was a staff shout from the Teachers College at morning tea.  Chorizo sausage rolls, little salmon canopies, chcocolate brownies etc.   I did not move from my seat all interval nursing my coffee, surrounded by all the smells of this goodness but not taking a bite.  The last was fish and chips with my other Year 13 class, easy to miss this one.  The yellowness of the batter and fries put my off and since it cooled quickly - it gets gross.  Passed!

Highlight of week - winning $70 on the Melbourne Cup in the staff sweepstake - score!

Thoughtful note of the week - a student bought me Hershey Kisses as a thank you present.  She knows what is going on, but said "Miss, I checked the expiry date and it is Jan 2011.  By then you will be able to enjoy them, so don't give them to your husband!"  Cute :)

So how many pounds is 10.5 kilos? Well it is 22.1 lbs (1.65 stone for those old school folk) - Here are some other things that are 10.5 kilos

 This fish!

 This guy's hair

And this bag of flour plus a 500g block of butter!

UHC Year 13 music video 2010

Leavers song from this years Yer 13 class - great memories from a lot of these kids. Will miss them as they go on to bigger and better things. Fun music video they created :) My updates coming soon!

Look at the blubber fly......

I saw this recently on one of the many repeats of the Simpsons. It also came up in conversation during one morning tea...I was wondering if the loose skin would do the same. Im hoping for not too much of that. An amusing snippet anyway :)

Pre-op Diet Week 2

Wow, I may have finally caught up on my posts!!!

Weight loss update - week 2 I have lost another 4.5 kilos totalling about 9 kilos in 2 weeks.  Yay ( I was about to put a but it seems a lot quickly) - a lady a work told me not to but...and just stay with yay, so yay!

Week 2 was slightly easier than week 1.  The food etc has become more routine, and I do find now I am saving a lot of time.  Having just the shake in the morning only takes a couple of minutes rather than the 10-15 with cereal.  Lunch with a bar and salad is easy to prepare, and I have found I go to work earlier...go figure.

I managed 2 personal training sessions with cardio and weight work.  The cardio is a little harder with not as much gas in the tank, but the weights are good, and I always feel better afterwards. 

I have had a bit more energy in general which has been awesome.  Apparently according to my students, I am less grumpy as well (I take thats a good thing for them :))  I have told more and more people about the surgery.  Everyone is being so supportive and asking how it is going etc.  It is actually really cool.  Have told some students.  My Year 13's high fived me for the weight loss.  A couple of students have asked me "Why?"  I have explained my reasons.  Two of them said you shouldn't change, you are fine the way you are....hmmmmm.  I replied well Im not happy with how I am and if I want to stay healthy I need to change.  I think one student thought of it like lipo or plastic surgery though.

With the change of lifestyle, and maybe to help with not being able to eat certain things for the time being, I have been baking and loving it!  Some of my creations below - mainly made with the fruit I can't eat (can't let it go to waste!)

 Beer Bread

 Cinnamon and banana muffins

 Cheese scones

Apple and banana loaf - slightly black on the top - but still good I hear :)

Most of the baking has gone to my mother in law - she loves it!  Im not aiming to bake healthy at this stage - I can't eat it.  Anthony has samples but also doesn't want it in the house either - so off it goes to Joans, where a week later the containers come back empty and compliments are a plenty - thats all I need.  And not once have I been tempted to lick the bowl or eat the crumbs etc - no craving to either...yay!

Lastly, got my admission pack from the surgery/hospital this week - made it more real.  Also included the invoice - ouch.  This is all private - no funding in the Wellington region for bariatric surgery so user pays.  However, the hospital from the brochure (yes they have a brochure) - look sweet and fairly classy.  Wonder if it is like hotels where you get soaps, shampoos etc....wee that would be fun!

Onto Week 3.
Thanks for your support and emails, you guys rock!!!