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"!!!

The story of Betsy and Betty! Czechoslovakian Sisters!

I really am proud of this boy!

When he started playing cello I was kind of taken back. Here was this boy who loved him some football. I mean his exact words were, "I get to hit something when I'm mad, and I don't get into trouble". Then at the beginning of school year he brings home Betsy, a mid-sized cello!

Now, the story of how Betsy came home is really cute! At RJ's school, they have extra-curricular activities that you can sign up for. Since football season was in full swing, he decided to sign up for inter-mural flag football. Well, when he got to the head off the line, the teacher looked at him and said, "WOW, you have the best hands I've ever seen!" RJ immediately asked, "You mean I can carry the football?" "I'm too big to carry the football on my other team, this is great!" Boy, was he excited!!!!

The teacher looked at him with only those eyes a confused teacher can have. You know the type of look I'm speaking of. It's that look when they ask you something like... "What do you mean your dog ate your homework?" You get the picture, but her response something like..."No honey, not for football, but for the cello!" Hence, along came Betsy!

Now at Christmas, things became a little stranger. RJ received something you would not believe. A gift from his grandparents that he politely and quickly named Betty! That's right, Betsy's big sister, a full sized cello named Betty!

Hey, wait a minute, where did my smash mouth playing, tackle making, line blocking son, who we called "TANK JR", go?

That's right, he is now playing cello all the time. He proclaimed to us that his arm and wrist hurt too much when he was playing football. So he's decided to take up cello full time.

He will be taking private lessons this summer, along with attending a 3 week strings camp put on by Metro Schools!

I know I've said it before, but I'm gonna say it again...I really am proud of this boy!

Incoherent ramblings of an "Amusement Park Wannabe"!

I guess I had the worst day since my weight loss surgery on Friday.

I had the privilege, nay the pleasure, or better yet, the "experience" of chaperoning 150 fifth graders to Beech Bend amusement park on Friday. Now, I only had 2 kids to wrangle, but this is what the teacher told me..."Your 2 kids are like 15, GOOD LUCK!"

The bad part, one of them was mine!

I had no problem with the boys! I guess you can say the only mishap of the day was when RJ and Will decided to see who could get the bloodiest cut on thier head while driving go-carts! That's a whole nother story that involves the first aid trauma center and blood! But I digress, Will won and recieved a new Beech Bend shirt for his troubles. Although he wanted to wear his "bloody shirt" as badge of honor!

These are my 2, RJ & Will!

After the second thrill ride, I called my wife. Click here for what she shared with my weight loss buddies!

I can say this, I pulled out my best Gloria Gaynor impersonation and started singing.

I did survive, barely! The boys laughed till they cried, the parents commiserated, and the park employees were ready with mop and bucket if needed! Luckily, that did not happen!

I did get extremely woozy, and turned a few shades of green, pink and purple! The good news is I did not share my breakfast with the people to my right, left, above or below me!

I really would like to blame how I was feeling on my weight loss surgery. It just seems a natural explanation! Dr Dyer must have removed that portion of my anatomy that allows me to be turned, twisted, and tumulted at ungodly speeds, when he did my surgery. Or maybe my pouch just couldn't handle going one direction when my body went another?

Unfortunately, I must confess, I believe that "old age" has finally caught up with me. Now I know there are others that are older than me, who can do all of this without experiencing extreme nausea, good for you! I'll let you chaperon the next trip to an amusement park!?

Until then, let me show you what a 50 year old gastric bypass patient looks like after riding just "2" thrill rides:

All I can say is this...next time I'll sit on a bench under a shade tree holding the purses!

I'm a wimp!!!!!!!

C Ya!

Omelet Bites - Denver Style

Omelet Bites - Denver Style

1 Yellow Onion, diced
2 Green Onions, diced
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 slices of Ham, diced
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Picante Sauce (or Salsa)
5 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Salt and pepper to taste. Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions and peppers till golden. Add ham and saute 1 minute more. Set aside to cool. When cool mix all ingredients together. I bake them in mini-muffin pans