Playing blog catch up

Wowza.  I didn't realize just how long it had been since I was on My Monster blog.  
So . . .  to do some catching up.

This month (February 2016) marks 2 yrs since I had my gastric bypass surgery, RNY.  
It's been an interesting journey which has been so very successful in getting enough weight off that I have NO need for any diabetic medicines, including shots, NO blood pressure meds, (although some days around here I need a chill pill.  Eek!  <80  ( that is suppose to be me freaking with a pointy hat. lol!)

I feel so extremely fortunate to be successful in my choices and the support I have through all of this.

I had my 2 yr mark checkup with my Bariatric dr, which anyone who meets this guy would instantly like his fun personality and his main nurse also.  So extremely helpful and so supportive.

At my weigh in, I was totally straight with him and yes, I have seriously slipped and gained some back.    My dr was not too concerned about it as most people do have a bit of regain when their body settles from the surgery and rapid weight loss.  
Also, he did agree with the med I had been taking the past several months, is a super slower downer. (lol) of the metabolism.   

He said to not worry, just go back to basics of which I keep so very simple anyway, and I am perhaps fortunate that my lil "pouchie poo" is pretty particular and I don't very too much with the foods.

Also, I am very fortunate that my appetite hasn't returned yet.  Practically all is only head hunger.  And still habits from associations creep in from time to time.  

I still have a challenge many days, to make sure to get up to the 1000 calorie mark with appropriate foods, that I should be doing.  

After several times checking with "Mrs Google" she keeps stating if one eats too little, the body can stay in survive type mode. Guess that might be part of the problem too.

But to be totally honest with this, I am very quick to point out though, to myself that I have GOT to move MORE.  
What's that commercial say about a body in motion stays in motion and a body who doesn't wont.

Well, that's my new philosophy.   

Move move and move some more.

Track track and track some more.  

Every bite - every sip write it before you bite or drink it!

I keep reminding myself I have come way too far to slip back again.  I will NOT let this monster back in my life!

So, now back to the basics.  And proof that surgery only allows us with an extra tool, not a cure!

Easy, heck no!  One of the several hardest things I have ever done in my life.

But worth it - heck yes.  We all have heard so many times, age is an enemy in a way to controlling weight. Our body naturally slows down as it ages. Makes sense.

Ok, the basics of "after surgery" life. 

#1 - Focus on protein - protein and more protein.  Lean protein that is.  For me - I rely a lot on protein drinks.  Probably too much is a bit of my problem also.  Body doesn't have to work as hard with a liquid as it does something to break down.  So, I will try eating more protein here and there and perhaps a bit less on the shakes.

#2 - MOVE!  
No matter how much, any movement is some!

So - to start the motivation, I have heard a lot about Fitbit being all the rage for tracking movement.  

Perfect - got it ordered and received a couple of days ago.  
Totally love gadgetry.  Lol!

I am quickly reminded of the same sort of idea to price matching/couponing idea with this new gadget. #1 thing - Awareness!  Key!!

I could watch every single drink and bite carefully, BUT - gotta move.  Move Move Move!

Not just a stroll, but also need the higher heart rate/fat burning moving and for hopefully over time, be able to do it for a longer peroid of time.

Well . . . I just sort of rocked another 1st time for me.

I have wanted to do zumba forever, but am not very coordinated at all - :P

And keep coming up with reasons not to get to classes, which much of the time is a challenge.A while back, I picked up a beginner instructional type Zumba dvd, and when I finally found out where I put it.

Guessing it was a bad day so me and my monster hid it well. :P)  

The dvd was even still sealed. 

So, I fixed a glass of kiwi strawberry Propel water and I not only opened the wrapper, but I also went as far as putting it into the dvd player and . . .

wait for it . . . .

I actually DID my first ever Zumba program.

I survived the tutorial/101/beginner type program. yay! lol!

Not that it was at all pretty. I was waiting for a knock on the door from officials to tell me to close the blinds. :0

It was an instructional/beginner intro at first, then onto a somewhat simple workout, but geez, my legs were jelly. I have a LONG way to go!

Lol!  

I will try to check back tomorrow and see if I can roll out of bed. - And this was jjust the beginner instructional type. Lol!

So, lessons learned and conquered today - 1st step into serious cardio work. Which we all need to do more and more.

I am thinking of the old phrase we all have heard way too many times but don't live by,

We all need to eat to live - not live to eat!

Take care and God bless and stay safe out there.

Hmmm!! Clothespin stress reliever????

I just love the website with the gals over at 

Household Magic Daily Tips.

They are always coming up with the most fab ideas.

This one definitely caught my attention and and to check into it further. 

Here is the post that I am sooo gonna have to try:  

If you're feeling anxious and need to relax, and you have some clothespins lying around (the kind that pinch real tight), here’s what to do: Grab five clothespins, and clip one to the tip of each finger of your left hand, right at the start of the fingernails. Keep them there for seven minutes. Then put those clothespins on the fingers of your right hand for another seven minutes. Pressure exerted on these nerve endings is known to relax the entire nervous system.

Do this clothespin bit first thing in the morning if you wake up feeling tense and before, during or right after any particularly nerve-racking situation (job interview...difficult relatives coming...skydiving).

Note:  if you see me with clothespins on my fingers, just think 

"calm - calm - calm"  

lol!  

(although the skydiving part is a bit of a stretch for me - on the other hand 

laundry day  . . . guess it will be an asset to hang out laundry.  *wink!)

** Note to self **

Maybe next time start the clothespin stress reliever AFTER completing the post about them.  

The clothespins keep bumping in to other keys.  : P

Thanks girls over at Household magic daily tips for another great article!!!!

Link to this article is at:

http://www.householdmagicdailytips.com/index.php/clothespin-trick-to-calm-you-down?utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2013-10-08%20HDM%20NL%20CID-0000001806%20(1)&utm_content=&utm_source=Newsletter&spMailingID=43356609&spUserID=NTE4NTY2OTA4NTMS1&spJobID=206757113&spReportId=MjA2NzU3MTEzS0

Bet you will never guess where one of my fav happy places is? Come find out.

One of my ol'e classic and favorite happy places is 

hanging laundry on the line and ironing.  

I enjoy both!  

The fresh smell that the laundry has afterward is such a refreshing reward.  

And so worth the time doing it not to mention a definite help 

on that dreaded electric bill.  

Since I am usually home, I can make time in each day work on laundry.  

But even if I wasn't, I would figure out a way to hang anyway like during the evening/night or doing laundry over the weekend, which many do anyway . 

I see it as therapeutic.  

I know it's silly a bit, but I also think ironing is therapitic also.  lol!  

I know I can hear many of you chuckling now.  hehe! 

But I go into my happy place when I am working on stuff like this.  

I'm not talking about rushing around getting ready - plugging in the ole' iron and slapping the ironing board up and grumbling while "having" to do this terrible chore.  

It's not doing the dishes ya' know.  lol!  

(that may be someone elses therapy - my dreaded one.)

 I'm talking about, turning on a fan, strappin' on the ipod and puttin' 

on the headphones to some favorite mellow or hip tunes, and swaying or 

bopping along while steaming those wrinkles away, along with all the 

issues of the world - both far and near. 

(along with times of shedding several tears too, both for good and sad reasons.)

I have often solved my own version of all the worlds problems by 

working on a couple of loads of laundry. 

Another very rewarding part of all of this is, it instills in me the feeling that, through this usually dreaded task, I am doing a little something special for each of my family.  

To me it's much more than just about clothes.  I don't feel like I am doing much of anything special when just tossing clothes into washer and then the dryer.  

That way is much more of a dreaded chore.  

I can't really even describe it.  

Perhaps a bit odd, but is sort of my mental quiet time.

My sort of "me" time and feeling like I accomplished 

the weights of the world and my laundry also.  

Give it a try this weekend.  

Not as a chore, but as a process of creativity.  

Mind and laundry at the same time.

And definitely do NOT forget to smell. 

Yes smell !!!!

Stick your face deep into the freshly dried laundry just before you 

remove them from the line and take the biggest deep breath 

you ever have, and slowly exhale. 

That in itself, 

is a huge reward to breathe in and 

slowly release the stresses of the world.  

Note:  Here are a couple of links I ran across recently and actually thought -who would have to know "how" to hang out laundry.  But ended up finding it actually very facinating and informative.  You might want to take a look also.  :)

Links for part one and two are here:

Hanging Clothes on a Clothesline Part 1 - Laundry 101 - Save Money And Get Out Of Debt - Living on a Dime

http://www.livingonadime.com/how-to-hang-clothes-on-a-clothesline-2/