Jump starting weight loss again! and Food Porn...

Soooo...even gastric bypass patients have a lull in weight loss. I knew it would come, when plateaus starting piling up and weight loss would start crawling along. Just like any normal person, we have to diet and take a hard look at our habits (new and old). Working out is not an option and it's a daily struggle to motivate myself, especially with a string of 12-14 hour work days and very busy weekends. However, I know it is very necessary and if I fail I want to be able to say I did everything I could, without making excuses. I am still losing weight, but I am not happy with my progress this month.

I can tell that alcohol is definitely a set-back. I don't drink much as it is, but I know when I do have a drink or two, I will not lose weight. I still do not eat much fried food (even though I can handle it) or carbs. I simply can not do break without getting super full. However, I can handle some carbs.

I am going back to basics with my food choices. I am replacing a meal with a protein shake and sticking to a liquid or creamy, low carb diet. My only exception is fruit, chicken, and nuts. I stocked up on cottage cheese, yogurt, protein shakes, milk and cheese. My plan is to complete a two week period.

Here are some pictures of previous lunch I have packed:

Egg Salad, crackers, fruit                     Pinto Beans, chicken w/ cheese Pineapple

   

Chicken casserole, carrots/ranch         Turkey, cottage cheese, edamame

   

Chili's Margarita Chicken and rice, almonds        Turkey and Cheese roll-ups

              

Protein Shake, oatmeal muffin (no sugar or flour)

Goals so far:
I am not really on track to be the 180 by March 1st. I will have to see where I land :/
I'm doing good with bringing my lunch to work (check)
I have gotten some workouts in during the week (check)
I need to drink more fluids (no check)

Total weight loss - 57.6 lbs
February 16, 2015 - 188.4
February 1, 2015 - 191 lbs
Jan 24, 2015 - 194.9 lbs
December 31, 2014 - 199.8 lbs
December 21, 2014 - 203.8 lbs
December 11, 2014 - 210.6 lbs
Five weeks post-op, November 28, 2014 - 214 lbs
Four weeks post-op, November 21, 2014 - 216 lbs
Three weeks post-op, November 14, 2014 - 221.9 lbs
Two weeks post-op, Nov 7, 2014 - 226.6 lbs
One week post-op, Oct 31, 2014 - 231.8 lbs
Weight morning of surgery, Oct 24, 2014 - 239 lbs
Weight at pre-op appointment, Oct 14, 2014 - 246 lbs

Lunch ideas and a weigh-in!

This week was a surprise for weight loss, as I dropped nearly 4 lbs. They only thing I really changed was taking my lunch three times this week. I also ran in the middle of the week, which is a goal to get more exercise in the middle of the week. It seems like I'm on my way to 180 by the end of Feb!

Just some pictures of my bento lunches this week:

Albacore Tuna with light mayo, Veggie crackers, half banana and strawberries.

Ham and cheese rolls (one piece of Havarti cheese), hummus, veggie crackers and strawberries.

Left over salad from Crispers, two slices of ham, ranch dressing, Babybel light cheese (one of my fav snacks for protein), and a cutie!

I love water, but I have also been getting more liquid from tea (sometimes McDonald's). I do half sweet and half unsweet to avoid artificial sugar. For breakfast I will do either a yogurt, Eggo waffle with peanut butter, 1% milk and banana with peanut butter, half breakfast burrito from McDonald's, or Wake-up wrap with bacon from Dunks. It all depends on how late i'm running in the morning LOL.  We have learned how to eat out with my new diet. We only order one meal and I will eat off of it. Most of the time it is chicken on a veggie, but sometimes we do steak or ribs. Rarely do I eat fried stuff or excessive white carbs. If there was one thing that I still struggle with, it would be sugar and not eating enough at dinner, so I want to snack late at night. Must do better!

I am buying size 14 bottoms now and they are fitting, but fitting tight. I am hoping within the next 2 weeks, I will fit them comfortably. I am buying most of the items from Ross and Walmart to save money. I don't foresee having to buy too many items until I am a solid size 12. 

Goals by Feb 28:
Weigh 180 lbs
Exercise in the middle of the week (*)
Pack my lunch 3 times a week (*)
Drink more fluids (*)

*= completed for the week

Total weight loss - 55 lbs
February 1, 2015 - 191 lbs
Jan 24, 2015 - 194.9 lbs
December 31, 2014 - 199.8 lbs
December 21, 2014 - 203.8 lbs
December 11, 2014 - 210.6 lbs
Five weeks post-op, November 28, 2014 - 214 lbs
Four weeks post-op, November 21, 2014 - 216 lbs
Three weeks post-op, November 14, 2014 - 221.9 lbs
Two weeks post-op, Nov 7, 2014 - 226.6 lbs
One week post-op, Oct 31, 2014 - 231.8 lbs
Weight morning of surgery, Oct 24, 2014 - 239 lbs
Weight at pre-op appointment, Oct 14, 2014 - 246 lbs