Christmas Support Groups and how I've spent the last two weeks!

For a long time on this blog, I’ve talked about support and what that means. Well, over the last 2 weeks, I’ve been reminded how lucky I am to have support. Throughout my journey of “extreme proportions”, I’ve met and befriended several people, not only here in Tennessee, but on the internet as well!

Over the last 2 weeks I’ve been busy. Busy gathering with family, friends, work and my support groups! Heck, there’s even two support group functions did not make this year! But through these gatherings, I’ve found friendships that not only have pulled me out of the darkest pits of depressions, but also allowed me to scream from the mountain tops how lucky I am!

I was noticing on the Obesity Help Boards the other day how someone from my own state was looking for support in her area. I found that odd, but then thought of my friends in Washington, California, and even Germany, who do not have the privilege and pleasure of meeting with people of like minds on a regular basis!

Anyway, my new hobby of photography has allowed me to capture these moments, and I thought I would share them with you. Sit back, grab a cup of java and enjoy!

Recovering Fatty Christmas Breakfast (RF06.com)

Obesity Help Dinner Club Christmas Party (OH TN. Forum)

Obesity Help Lunch Bunch Christmas Party (OH TN. Forum)

I have also put these photos to music, so turn up the volume, and enjoy Denver and the Mile High Orchestra!

17,520 hours later…

Seventeen thousand, five hundred and twenty hours ago, or there abouts, something major happened. Do you know what it is? If not, let’s look at it from a different perspective.

17,520 hours ago and 2960 ounces ago…

Have you figured it out yet? Well, let me share with you then. Two years and 180 pounds ago, I had gastric bypass surgery. My life went from being an over shaped, out of weight person who had trouble living, to who I am today!

Did a lot change? I don’t think so. Yes, I’m a lot lighter than I was then. I’m able to sleep through the night without having gastric reflux. I’m able to get around a lot easier without those extra pounds. I don’t have to buy my clothes in the “Big and Tall” department anymore. I don’t have to take those extra prescriptions for high blood pressure, arthritis, gastric reflux, or diabetes’s.

Yes my life has changed, that’s for sure. But I’m still me, and that’s all there is to that!

I’m a big numbers fan. No not the TV show, just numbers in general! To me, data is where it’s at. Here’s a breakdown of “my numbers”:

Pants size: 54 to 36

Shirt size: 4x to Med.

Weight: 375 to 190

BMI: 45.7 to 25.3

I’m still overweight, but only by a .5 point, according to the BMI guru’s!

This past week my wife had her plastic surgery. During some downtime at the hospital, I did a lot of thinking. Would I do this again? Yeah, I would. Would I do the same surgery? Yeah I probably would. Would I recommend weight loss surgery to people who have a problem? Yeah, I probably would. The only thing I would change is this…I would exercise more!

Where am I now? I’m at a point in my journey that things are still changing. I’ve found out recently that sugar does not bother me as much as it did before. I can eat most things, as long as I eat them in moderation. This in itself has caused a few bumps in the road. In the last 6 months, since our Florida vacation, I became aware that I had put on 23 unwanted pounds. I noticed my clothes were fitting a little tighter around the waist. My shirts were a little snug. So what did I do? Back to basics baby!

And it still works! I have lost 14 pounds in the last month, and am back down to below 200. Woo Hoo!

If someone asked me for advice on weight loss surgery, there are a few things I would tell them:

1) Research until you can’t research anymore. Educate yourself on all that is out there.

2) Find someone you trust and ask them questions. Don’t look for someone who is going to give you the answers you want. Look for someone who will challenge you to look for the solutions that are right for you.

3) Don’t ever say this won’t happen to me! Case in point – I’ll never gain back my weight,. Look at what happened to me!

4) Search out a support system that meets your needs. It can be a hospital related support group, or a peer related support. It does not matter as long as it fulfills your needs!

The benefits of my surgery go way beyond just losing weight! The relationships that have been forged in my journey have been an instrumental part of where I am today. I refuse to name names, but you ladies and gentlemen know exactly who you are, and I appreciate it very much!

I’m not a perfect weight loss surgery patient; I’m a human being who suffers from a food addiction. I’m not perfect!

May the upcoming year be filled with laughter, love, and a sense of who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming!

Seventeen thousand, five hundred and twenty hours ago my life changed…and it’s still changing every single second of the day!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! ♥

375 pounds

200 pounds

I also noticed how I went from holding a wine glass, to holding a coffee cup!

Changes still amaze me!

Home is where the heart is!

The other day, I had to make a run over to Baptist Hospital. No, I wasn’t sick or in too much pain, I needed to visit the Protein Queen (aka: Recovering Fatty) , and pick up some supplies! You see, I’m just like one of these guys you see standing on the corner with a sign that says…”Will work for food!” Only I do computer/blog work for protein :)

I had also picked up RJ from school, so he went with me. When we left, we found a parking garage near by, and thought it would be a great place to take pictures from. So, we grabbed the camera from the trunk, set up the tripod, and started snapping photos. The boy was like a kid at Christmas , running around hollering at what he found from his perch on high! The highlight, he found his school. He proudly proclaimed that his school was 15 miles away and he could still see it. In truth, it was less that a mile from where we were!

I love color, there I said it. I’m not a black and white type person. This is a renovated Government Housing Project near RJ’s school. Heck, these house’s look better than mine!

Just a simple parking garage at Baptist hospital. It was the angles and lines that drew my eyes to it.

But in the midst of filth and grime, in the center of all that is wrong with the world, one light shines through. God’s grace is always there to embrace us, to love us, and to shower us with beauty! Right there, on that cloudy day, the heavens opened, and He proclaimed that He is still there and on His throne!

I love my city!

Have a wonderful day!

Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins (With Cream Cheese Frosting)

Recently, during my searches for anything to do with photography, I came across a truly remarkable blog…The Pioneer Woman. 

This woman does everything you can think of!  She is a homeschooling mom, who entertains and throws dinner parties you would not believe.  How do I know this?  Cause she post photos of the said events, hence photography! 

She post some of the most interesting and tantalizing recipes I have ever seen.  What does this mean to me?  That I must deconstruct the recipe and make it weight loss friendly if possible. 

I saw this one the other day and thought it would go perfect for a meeting I had at work.  I was right!  By the time I got to take a picture, there were only 2 left.

Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins (With Cream Cheese Frosting)

Muffins:

1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup Splenda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 heaping cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup golden raisins (optional!)
2 tablespoons Splenda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease 24 mini muffin tins.

Sift flour, Splenda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until all incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Add raisins. Fold gently until mixture is just combined. Pour into greased muffin pan—batter hardly ever fills all twelve unless you keep it down to 1/2 full. Sprinkle generous amounts of cinnamon-sugar over the top of each unbaked muffin.

Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool. Ice with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup softened I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
4 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/2 pound powdered sugar (I took Splenda and ran it through the blender to make my own!)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients on high until soft and whipped. Spread onto completely cooled muffins, or place into a large pastry bag with a large star tip and go crazy!

Store in fridge, as icing will soften at room temperature.

Yesterday was 24 hours ago…

…but today is now!

One of the blogs I read on a daily basis is…The Pilgrim’s Chronicles.  

Bill is a very talented photographer, a devoted husband, a proud grandfather…you get the idea, I could go on and on about this man.  But when it boils down to it, he is just that, a man who loves the Lord

His blog is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying reads I have each and every day.  Well, yesterdays entry was truly meaningful to me.  It asked the question, “How Good Are You?” 

Now, initially I thought about photography.  My mind went back to that first photo I posted on FLICKR.  It is Hazard Cave up on the Cumberland Plateau.

Then my mind raced to one of the last photos I posted of Nashville.  I could definitely see that I was better than before.  My skill has grown, I look at things differently than I did back then.  I feel more confident with my abilities.

But then something smacked me hard in the face.  No,   it was  not a frying pan thrown by my wife, it was God.  In the deep, dark recesses of my mind and heart a question arose…”Do you love Me, more than you did yesterday?”

WOW!  A journey of extreme proportions!  Whatever road my life takes, whatever mountains I must climb, I want to answer the question with a resounding YES!  I love God more today than I did yesterday!  And tomorrow…even more!

PEACE!

Been a while!

Yeah, it’s been quite a while since I visited my old friend here. My dad even said I better attend to Bald-Is-Beautiful, or he was going to stop reading! What’s up with that?

You know, this blog has been a very good partner in my weight loss journey. It has been there for the good times and the bad. It never pointed fingers when I put a little weight back on. Not once did B-I-B laugh at me and say “I told ya!” So, why have I forsaken thee?

LIFE! That’s the answer, LIFE! Capital letters and all…LIFE! You see, since I have had my weight loss surgery, I have been presented with a new beginning. A do over if you will. A chance to do all things that I never could.

My wife and I have been married for 13 years. In that time, we went on a few vacations. Granted, most of them were in state. In fact, all of them were in state except for 1! This year alone, we have been to Florida and Texas on family vacations. We have remodeled our house from top to bottom. We’ve been able to do things that I never would have even attempted before. This brings me to an idea I want to share.

I’m thinking of taking Bald-Is-Beautiful in a new direction. B-I-B will always be my baby, my outlet for me and me alone. But B-I-B will start to change over the next few months. I am seriously thinking of trying my hand a professional photography. Don’t laugh at me, not just yet anyway.

In the past several years, I have really gotten into taking photos. I love the thrill of chasing the light, looking for that one shot that just makes it all worth while. And I think I’ve done pretty good at finding them. I have several people in my life that keep urging me in this direction. Not pushing me mind you, just urging me to take a serious look at it.

I have 2 or 3 photo shoots set up right now for very dear friends. They want me , can you believe that, to shoot their family portraits. So, we will see what happens with them, and then go on from there!

You can take this to the bank though (this is for my Dad and FIL)…I won’t be quitting my day job any time soon!

BIB Photography is just another chapter in my life. Or better yet…another road in my “Journey of Extreme Proportions”!

C Ya!

Walk From Obesity 2009

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What's the weirdest place you've lost wieght?

Good morning all!

As the title of this post suggest, todays topic deals with weight loss in weird places!

We all know we lose weight around our waist line, or it shows in your face. Heck, we even lose weight in the bottom of our feet (that's why I'm shorter, the fat in my feet are gone...LOL!)Those are the obvious places. But what about other places? Okay, get your mind out of the gutter...

I'm talking about...

...your mouth! That's right, the buccal cavity, the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food, the area your teeth are attached to.

Now, here's the story on how I figured this out.

When I come home from work, the first thing I usually do is remove my upper partial. Right now you're saying to yourself, "I didn't;t know Scott had false teeth!" Yeah, I've had them for about 14 years. I had to get them after eating a piece of microwaved garlic bread, but that's another story for another day!

So, the first thing I do daily upon returning to the old homestead is to remove my teeth! My normal routine is to place them in a cup in the bathroom. Occasionally I will leave them on my computer desk for a short time. OK, I'll put them there and forget about them...duh! Well on Saturday, that's exactly what happened.

Ain't she cute?

After placing them on my desk, I went to make a cup of coffee. When I returned, what did I see? My terroristic little black chihuahua sitting very lady like in my computer chair. Bottom down, front paws placed on the tabletop, chewing! Even though she was sitting very ladylike, she looked more like a school of piranha feasting on a cow that accidentally dropped in the river!

All I can say is, she is still living, and no animals were hurt in the telling of this story! The last thing I need is the ASPCA breathing down my neck for beating a helpless little puppy!

Now, back to the topic. When I went on Monday to purchase a new upper partial, the dentist looked and my old teeth, and then my new ones and said...you lost a lot of weight in you dental region. Have you been sick lately? Which opened the door to discuss weight loss surgery!

So, when the day is done, what is the weirdest place you have lost weight?

I posted a little of this on Face book the other day and a friend of mine responded..."Scott, did your dog really chew up your falsies? Teeth, I mean? LOL. You're supposed to chew with them, not have the dog chew on them!"

"Falsies"? That just brings up another place I've lost weight...moobs!

Ciao!

Well, if you are a follower of my life on Crack Book, er, I mean Facebook, then you know I was searching for a place to take pictures of the sunrise yesterday.

It seems I have some really good friends who think of themselves as comedians! One comment said, "not sure where....but early in the morning would be the best time". Another posted, "is the sun back? holy cow! the tornado sirens were making me weary"

Guess what? I slept through the sunrise all together! Beth and I did end up going to the local Farmers Market though. And I think I got some pretty decent pics!

We also signed up for a community co-op type of produce thingy! I have always wanted to be part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), but most of the times, it has been cost preventative. One of the downfalls also, is you never really know what your receiving until you get it. Sometimes surprises are nice, but I want to be able to purchase according to my wants and needs, not that of the grower!

A friend of mine from work belongs to CSA that allows you to place money in an account, and then order what you want, according to what they have! Let's just say I am impressed! We participated this week for the first time and really enjoyed all we got! If you live in the ?Nashville area and are interested, here is the link to their site.

Anyway, here ya go, hope you enjoy!

Happy Fathers Day 2009

Wow, it's almost like I need a special occasion to update my blog! As promised, NO EXCUSES!

Today is Fathers Day 2009, and all I can say is Thank You to my Dad, and my Father-in-Law! They are the most influential men is my life. I can only hope that I turn out to be half the men that they are!

So, in tribute to Dad's everywhere...

DAD, I Love You! There's not enough words in the world to say Thanks for all you have ever done for me! For the firm hand when I needed it, for the compassion and integrity that is who you are, and to being the best supporter a person could ever have! You have been there during the worst of times, but also the best of times. You were there as I grew into the man I am today. You were there when I became a husband, when I became a provider, and when I became a father. I am who I am today, because of the example you have set for me in life!

Once again Dad, I Love You!

It's a lie! OK, no more excuses!

Have you ever noticed how people will deny, or make excuses for their actions? Or when you are accused of something, you almost always make excuses? I think this is just human nature more than anything.

Well, human nature has bitten my butt!

I am a weight loss patient who has been making excuses! To put it simply, and truthfully, I have been lying to you, to my family, and above all…to myself!

It seems excuses have become part of my daily routine. Things like:

“Oh, it’s just one bite. It’s not like it’s gonna make me fat”.

“I’ll start back on my lifestyle change tomorrow”.

“Well, that pie is sugar free, it’s not gonna hurt me!”

“It’s too expensive to eat healthy foods”.

OK, does any of this sound familiar? Folks, I’ve got a problem. I’m addicted to food. Now, I know I have done well with my weight loss, but I’ve also re-gained a little weight!

When I got down to my lowest of 186, I felt good. My weight would fluctuate between 186 and 190 or so. It seems there was always a 5 pound window that I played with! Well, that 5 pound window has stayed the same, it’s just progressed up the scale. It moved to 190 to 195, and then to 195-200. This past week, it has ranged from 200-205. Yes, I have a problem!!!!

But last night was support group meeting for me. I was tired, worn out, did not feel good. You name it and I had it! Excuses, excuses, excuses! I shared with my wife how tired I was and she suggested that I stay home. I told her I couldn’t, I needed to be there! Boy oh boy, was I glad! The bad part…I forgot to wear my steel toed boots!

A real good friend of mine is the support group leader. She makes you feel comfortable, as well as providing a “safe” place to talk! Paula’s topic for the month…EXCUSES! Oh hell, here it comes! I’ve got to tell ya, she was speaking to me and only me last night! Every excuse people listed, were ones I have used. Well, I learned a lot about myself last evening. Stuff that I plan on using and working to my advantage!

You see, I’ve come too far! Fat Scott is still here, but he’s not gonna win! Today is an excuse free day. Choices have been made, decision are written down, and expectations are placed on the wall! I refuse to be an excuse! I refuse to be a statistic on the web. I refuse to let Fat Scott win! I love each and everyone of you, but I’m not looking for advice! I’m not looking for sympathy! I’m not looking for EXCUSES!

I’m looking for the truth, and the truth is, I have a problem! But I’m gonna look for a solution, so who is with me? Who is gonna be truthful and stop making excuses? Who is gonna make those good choices? Who…Who…Who…?

Me, that’s who, cause you can’t do it for me! And I can’t do it for you! But we can do it together!

It’s a “ NO EXCUSE WEDNESDAY!” Anyone want to join in?

“HE THAT IS GOOD FOR MAKING EXCUSES, IS SELDOM GOOD AT ANYTHING ELSE!” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

A walk in the ...

What a beautiful weekend we have had here in Tennessee! Yesterday morn, I was awakened by a cute little cardinal siting outside my window whistling, "Wake up Scott, come and take my picture".

As much as I wanted to sleep, I got up and went outside. I did sleep in though, I did not get up until 5:00!

At that point, I knew I needed to go somewhere, I just did not know where! Then I remembered all the hoopla on TV this week about Bells Bend and the Maytown community!

So off I went, with camera and protein coffee in hand.

When I found the park, the sun had not yet risen. Fog covered the area, and I thought the morning would be a total waste! Little did I know!

The sun finally rose and I could see the dew on the spiderwebs. What a magical experience! Majestic is the only word I could use to describe what was surrounding me!

To be surrounded by a symphony of praise from the areas inhabitants was refreshing! No one was worried about weight loss or regain. No one was complaining about their fellow co-workers. No one was complaining period. Well, maybe this one guy who found me intruding on his domain.

I guess the best thing that came out of yesterday was the refreshing spirit that only nature can bring. Oh yeah, I did get lost and my trusty pedometer said I walked 4.5 miles over the hills and through the woods to grandmothers house I went! I definitly could not do that a year and a half ago!

Click here for the entire set of photos:

Bells Bend

Have a great day!

Perceptions!

When you look at the following picture, what do you see?

Do you see white dots, or black dots? Or do you see both?

Now, when you look at this before and after picture, what do you see?

Do you see a guy who has lost a lot of weight? Do you think this guy is the perfect weight loss patient? Maybe you see someone who is eating all the right things. Someone who puts a lot of thought into what he eats? I see something totally different than you...I promise!

Visual perception is something that all of us suffer from. In the first picture with the black squares, did you know there are only white circles. The black ones are tricks, that our minds eye plays on us!

The same can be said by my picture!

You see someone who has lost a lot of weight. You see someone who thinks about what goes in my pouch. I only wish that were true! You see, I have gained a few pounds back. Like I said a few weeks ago, I’m happy where I’m at, but I have to be very careful!

In the past few months, old habits have re-surfaced. From what I’m hearing from friends, this is happening to them as well! The bad thing is, they are afraid to seek some help. They’ re afraid that people would point their finger and say, “See, I told you so”. The problem is, they are right! And the really unfortunate aspect is, the people pointing fingers are the ones who should know better! Friends who have had weight loss surgery themselves!

Support is something we all need. We need it when we are climbing that mountain of weight loss, but we also need it when we have crashed in the valley below! We need support to cheer us on, but also to build us up!

Right now, I need support and prayers to help me stay on the straight and narrow. I’ve not come to far to just give up and head in the wrong direction! I guess what I’m really trying to say is this…the next time Charlie Rich starts singing “Behind Closed Doors”, I need to open that door quickly! I don’t need to be a perception puzzle, my life needs to be an open book! No more hiding behind closed doors and eating junk!

I think it's time to be honest, I need an accountability partner! Any takers?

Losing weight-What works!

Here tis the 2nd in a series the State of Tennessee just emailed! It seems like Tennessee is trying to do something about obesity. YEAH TENNESSEE!!!!

Losing weight - What Works
The bottom line with weight loss is that you have to eat fewer calories than you burn -- regardless of whether the calories come from carbs, protein, or fat. Still, the weight-loss approach that works for someone else may not work for you because losing weight is very individualized. It's up to you to find the right fit.

Regardless of the type of weight-loss program you choose, there are some fundamental keys to success.

Strategies for Success

Make small changes in your life that work for you. Can you drink 1% or 2% milk instead of whole? When you're accustomed to that, can you switch to skim? How about trying lighter or low-fat versions of your favorite mayonnaise, salad dressings, cheeses, snacks, etc.?

Eat with a sense of purpose: Savor the flavors and engage your senses so that you taste that you are eating. Forget the mindless munching that happens while you cook, drive, or watch television.

Control your portions. Successful dieters don't supersize their meals.

Eat a variety of foods consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat protein sources. Limit the total amount of fat, alcohol, and treats you consume.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast that includes some protein, in the form of low-fat milk, yogurt, lean meats, or an egg. Many overweight people skip breakfast.

Find physical activities that you enjoy or sneak exercise into your daily routine by walking, taking the stairs, or parking in the outer reaches of the parking lot. Whichever you choose, do it daily, for the cardiovascular, stress reduction and calorie-burning benefits.

Don't attempt to manage your stress with food. Many people eat in response to stress. Unfortunately, food does not help you cope with stress; it simply adds calories to your daily total. Find more effective alternatives: exercise, take a bath, call a friend, surf the internet. Just steer clear of the kitchen!

Keep track of what you eat each day with a food journal or diary. This is an excellent way to acknowledge what you eat and be proud of your accomplishments. Take time to celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for all your hard work.

Read labels to determine the healthiest food options. Nutrition labels offer a wealth of information to help you make good choices. Pay attention to the serving size, calories, fat, sodium, and sugars.

Stay motivated! It is easy to fall off the wagon, but when you have a buddy to help and support you it is easier to brush yourself off and get right back on the eating plan. Let your friends and family support and help you through the rough times.

Don't step on it...it makes you cry!

As much as I say that I'm not on a diet, the more it seems I am! Does that make sense? If not, let me try to explain!

Main Entry: 1di·et
Pronunciation:
\ˈdī-ət\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English diete, from Anglo-French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life
Date: 13th century

1a: food and drink regularly provided or consumed
b: habitual nourishment
c: the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason
d: a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight

2: something provided or experienced repeatedly

So, if you look at the Miriam Webster definition of the word diet, you see what I mean. According to the beloved MW (Miriam Webster), I am on a diet!

My lifestyle of choice is a diet.
The way I eat is a diet.
Everything I do is a diet.

The following is something the State of Tennessee is sending g out to people who have signed up for "Tip of the week". Sometimes it's about exercise, dieting, smoking cessation, the advantages of reading. You get the idea. The last couple of weeks, it's been about weight loss. I don't personally agree with all of them, but they do make sense!

So, I thought I would share, since that's my diet!

TIP of the WEEK - Weight-Loss Strategies

Dieting is a way of life for many people. Surveys show that a large percentage of Americans are always on the lookout for new ways to lose and control their weight. Here is some sound weight-loss advice, based on the latest nutrition studies.

Pack in the Protein
Studies show that protein keeps you full longer than carbohydrates. Participants who ate the protein-rich egg breakfast felt fuller, and they ate less food over the next 24–36 hours. It also takes more energy to metabolize protein than carbohydrates, so you burn more calories after eating it.

Get a Full Night’s Sleep
A lack of sleep appears to have a direct effect on hunger and appetite. A recent study of lean young men found that when the men slept for only four hours a night they produced less of the hormone leptin in the morning than when they slept for 10 hours. (Leptin helps you feel full.) The men also secreted more ghrelin when they didn’t get enough sleep. (Ghrelin stimulates appetite.) The potential result: A heavier body weight.

Boost Your Fiber Intake
Research shows that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can decrease hunger and increase satiety. Fiber does this by keeping food in your stomach longer.
Weigh Yourself at Least Once a Week Regular weigh-ins are a cornerstone of weight-loss programs, and research shows that this tactic works for both weight loss and prevention of weight regain. Why do weekly weigh-ins work? They provide valuable and immediate feedback on your weight, and they can help catch weight gain early, so you get on track before you start packing on the pounds.

Use Smaller Plates and Smaller Utensils
Perceptions of normal portion sizes have ballooned over the past 20 years -- increasing by 20–40% and adding significant calories to our daily totals. Here’s a way to combat this trend: use smaller plates and utensils. In an interesting study, people invited to an ice cream social received a 17- or 34-oz bowl and a 2- or 3-oz ice cream scoop upon their arrival. Participants given the large bowl and large scoop served themselves -- and ate -- a whopping 60% more ice cream than those given the small bowl and small spoon.

Combine Smaller Portions With Low Energy Density
Eating from a smaller bowl or plate is not the only way to fool yourself into eating fewer calories. Choosing less energy-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, soups, and salads can help, too.
However you choose to shed some extra weight, remember to exercise, as this is key to long term weight control and maintenance.

Source: johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

Strawberry Cream Freeze

Ingredients:

Low fat cream cheese, 8 ounces

Skim Milk, 1 cup

Kraft Jello-o Brand Fat Free Sugar Free Pudding, Vanilla, 1 box

Cool Whip Fat Free, 8oz container

Murray's Sugar Free Vanilla Wafers ,1 cup coursely chopped

Strawberries, fresh, 1 cup, sliced

Smuckers Sugar Free Strawberry Ice Cream Topping 1/2 cup

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP, wafers and berries. Swirl in ice cream topping.

You can serve this recipe one of three ways. In a pie shell, in waffle cones, or like I did. Place a spoon full in a mini cupcake paper and freeze. Doing it this way resulted in 36 mini desserts. A great way for portion control.

Here are the stats when serving it my way:

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 36
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 37.6
Total Fat: 1.5 g
Cholesterol: 5.0 mg
Sodium: 68.2 mg
Total Carbs: 5.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.2 g
Protein: 1.1 g

*Adapted from Kraft Foods

Ren Fest Pics...ENJOY!

TN Renaissance Festival 2009
Click on the above link!

Never say Never!!!!

Never say never, cause as soon as you say it, you'll be "pouched slapped with a cinnamon bun"!!!

OK, here's my thought on this. I've seen a lot of post this last week on the pros and cons of the "protein bar"! Who knows whether it's good for them or not! By no means am I a Doctor, nor do I pretend to be one on TV. I'm just Ole average Joe, or Scott if you must! I'm you, whether you want to believe it or throw it out the window! I put on my pants one leg at a time. I am not an expert on any subject, but I believe I have done my homework, and I know what's right for me!!!

But these protein bar posts have got me thinking about me!

All right, back to the subject at hand....Never say never! When I had my surgery, I just knew that I was gonna lose weight, and I would never eat anything that was not good for me. I feel as if I have been pretty successful at accomplishing half of that. I have lost weight, that's a truth. I have gone from 365 pounds at my heaviest, down to a low of 189 pounds! So, YEAH for me!

But here comes the "never" part. Since RNY, I have eaten the some of the same things that got me in trouble:

"I'll never eat a candy bar again, cause it will make me dump, and I surely don't want that to happen".

"I'll never have that urge to get a bowl of ice cream in the middle of the night, because I've had surgery".

"I'll never overeat, because my pouch is only the size of my thumb".

Do any of these statements sound like you, or sound like something you've said? Welcome to my world. I have found out recently that sugar does not make me dump. How scary is that? The one mechanism that sent me in the direction of RNY, seems to be broken. Now, I'm sure that if I pushed it enough, I could eat enough crap that I would get sick, and end up in the dumper. But I have not pushed the limits of my pouch!

Now, I'm not looking for anyone to don their Sister Mary Teresa nun outfit and slap me with a ruler, but here comes the confession! This last Sunday, I weighed in at 201 pounds! Let's talk panic mode. Can we say "OH SH*%**&##*#"!!!!! Now, that's not bad for my height, but it was scary. Oh no, my pouch is broken!!!!!

No, it is not broken!

It is not stretched!

I am not a failure!

And neither are you!

Let's just say the nevers caught up with me. When I looked at what I have been eating, it was the nevers creeping back into my life. The occasional candy bar, the late night snack, the overeating at dinner because it tasted good. Simply put, it was the nevers! I shared with a friend my confession. Her comment was, “You know what to do”. So, I got right back up on that horse and started riding. I focused on what I was eating. I journaled my food intake. I have not drank before, during, or right after my meal. I have focused on protein first, then anything else. The one comment that my friend did leave me with, that caused me to laugh is this…”I don’t think Mother Teresa would worry about what you’ve been eating. Heck, she even had a cinnamon bun with her image on it!”

Be careful of what’s going on with your body. Be aware, be smart, and be mindful of what you are eating or drinking!

This brings me back to my opening statement… Never say never, cause as soon as you say it, you'll be "pouched slapped with a cinnamon bun"!!!