Tag Archives: Food Journal

One Day…100+ Grams of Protein from Only Food #WLS #VSG #PROTEIN

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Back during my pre-op nutrition classes the nutritionists had discussed that our ultimate goal is to one day be off of all protein supplements.  While they aren’t bad to take, ideally we would get our nutrition from actual food.  My nutritionist was completely fine with me still be on one shake a day at this point, but I was wondering if it were even possible for me to hit my normal 100+ grams of protein in a day without the use of a shake.  So I did a little experiment, and apparently it is possible.  But how you ask?

I wouldn’t say that it was easy, but it was possible, especially considering that this was one of my telecommuting days, so I was at home and had greater access to a kitchen.  I think for days that I’m busy or working, I still need a shake.

Photo Food Journal Thursdays #WLS

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I was a little hit or miss with taking food pictures this week, the ones I got are below!

Lunch Box 1.12.12

Coffee+ 1/2 & 1/2+Egg + Egg White + Cheese for Breakfast; Cheese Stick for Snack; Chili for Lunch; Protein Shake for Snack; Protein Bar if needed.

Lunch box 1.12.12

Dinner 1.12.12

Cod and Sautéed Yellow Pepper.  Salad Plate.

Dinner 1.12.12

Breakfast 1.13.12

Egg+1 Slice Bacon+Cheddar

Breakfast 1.13.12

Lunch 1.13.12

Morning Star Farms California Burger w/ Slice of Cheddar

Lunch 1.13.12

Dinner 1.15.12

Bacon wrapped filet w/ horseradish sauce.  This is an appetizer find from Costco, I love it!

Dinner 1.15.12

Lunch Box 1.16.12

Breakfast Egg+Egg White+Cheddar+coffee+1/2 & 1/2; Snack Babybel Lights; Protein Shake Lunch; Protein Shake Snack.

1.16.12 Lunch Box

Snack 1.16.12

Weak moment at Costco, but a delicious find.  These make an appearance almost daily from here on out.  A sweet treat with whole grains!

Snack 1.16.12

Dinner 1.16.12

I was JONESING for BBQ Chicken Pizza, but wanted to figure out a healthy way.  I used a half of a Whole Grain Roll Up, a Tbsp of BBQ Sauce, 1/3 of a roasted chicken breast, and 2 Tbsp of Cheese.  Seriously filling, I only ate 75% of it.

Dinner 1.16.12

Lunch Box 1.17.12

I have spent a lot of this week at a client site that has no microwave, so I’ve been doing shakes for breakfast.  Protein Shake Breakfast; Babybel Lights Snack; Chicken Salad and 1/4 Whole Grain Roll Out Lunch; Protein Shake+Granola Thin Snack (about 2 hours apart.)

Lunch box 1.17.12

Dinner 1.17.12

Another healthified pizza, this time with marinara and shrimp.  I wound up only being able to eat half of my serving.  This is my serving vs that husbands serving.

Dinner 1.17.12

Lunch Box 1.18.12

Breakfast Protein Shake+Coffee+1/2 and 1/2; Snack 2 Babybel Lights; Lunch Chicken Salad and 1/4 Whole Grain Roll Out; Snack Granola Thin and about two hours later another protein shake.

Lunch box 1.18.12

Another Day in my Sleeve

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I keep forgetting to take pictures of my food!  I should really just do it with my cell phone since I can’t find my point and shoot camera, and it’s a little bit of a pain in the butt to try to take my big Nikon into work every day, but alas I keep forgetting.  Maybe once we are moved and unpacked I will remember to do it.  Right now life is a bit chaotic.  I moved offices at work, home is a maze of boxes, but we are 10 days away from closing, so I am getting VERY excited!

Here is yesterday’s food journal.  I am on my 12th week post op, as you can see, you do get to start eating real food again!  It’s just super small portions.  I stay satisfied with these portions.  Dinner I didn’t even wind up finishing because I hit my soft stop, a burp.

I met all of my goals, stuck between 600-800 calories (even though I’m allowed to go up to 900 now,) below 40 grams of carbs, 10-12 grams of fiber, and greater than 80 grams of protein.  I even got in all of my supplements AND had a little bit of dark chocolate.  SCORE.

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

What an Average Day Looks Like #WLS

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Now that I’m working on week 9 post-op, I though I’d do a post showing what sorts of things that I am eating in a day.  I know the first 6 weeks or so, depending on your plan, you think you’ll never get to eat actual food again, but I’m here to tell you; It’s not true!!  For me I was allowed liquids the first two weeks post op, followed by 6 weeks of mushy/pureed/easy to chew foods.  Think lots of beans, white fish, canned chicken, eggs, etc.

Now that I have been released to give anything besides white bread, rice, and pasta, I am having a field day trying new things.  I’ve been reasonably lucky so far, that I haven’t had anything that Sleevie McGavin hasnt been a fan of.  Some people have a hard time with chicken, or over cooked eggs.  I still haven’t ventured into the world of red meat, but eventually I will.  I also haven’t given raw vegetables a try yet for two reasons.  The first is that I have heard that some plans make you wait until 6 months out.  The second reason is that I am supposed to eat my lean protein first and then have veggies followed by whole grains.  So far there just hasn’t been room in my sleeve for anything other than protein, although I have had 1/2 of a small low carb whole wheat tortilla a few times.

Here is what yesterdays food journal looked like:

Per my nutritionist my goals for each day are 80+ grams of protein, and that is all.  Since I have been having some issues in the bathroom department, they’ve also recommended that I try to get in 10-12 grams of fiber a day.  Now that I have more food available to me, it’s been easier and easier to get the protein in with fewer protein drinks (I’m down to 1 to 1 1/2 shakes per day) and get in more than 3 grams of fiber a day.  Besides that my nutritionist has said not to focus on calories or carbs as they will take care of them self due to the size of Sleevie McGavin.  Having read thousands of posts of various websites (obesityhelp.com; verticalsleevetalk.com; etc.) I have a personal goal of 600-800 calories a day and to limit my carb intake to no more than 40 grams per day.

Pre-Op Liquid’ish Diet

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Side Note:

TEN….10….123456789…10 Days until Surgery!

On Monday I started my pre-op liquid diet after a weekend of complete indulgence.  I am doing a sort of hybrid liquid diet, 4-5 shakes a day and then a “lean and green” dinner comprised entirely of veggies and protein.  Here is what a day looks like:

My husband is likely getting very tired of protein with asparagus/zucchini/peppers/onions, since I have made those (along with mushrooms for me!) every night this week.  I have made him pasta a few times to give him some semblance of normalcy, though he might hurt me if he sees another onion.

My dinners this week have been great!

Monday- Pan seared cod w/ roasted peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms.

Tuesday-Crab cake (sans bread crumbs) mixture stuffed in mushrooms and chunky pieces of pepper for me, crab cakes and pasta for the hubs.

Wednesday-Roasted shrimp w/ roasted peppers, onions, asparagus, and mushrooms.

Thursday-An amazing pot roast in the crock pot that I paired with grilled peppers and onions, with a little bit of cheese and sour cream on top (think burrito bowl without the rice and beans) and the hubs put his on tortillas.

Tonight-Chicken Meatballs with spaghetti squash for me and real spaghetti for the hubs.  Topped with homemade marinara (sugar free!)

Overall this week has been very easy.  I did cheat one day and had a 3×3 piece of cake.  There were THREE baby showers at work on Wednesday, and enough food leftover for them to feed a rather large village.  I was feeling so strong and then BAM, just slipped.  I didn’t even really think about it until after I was eating the cake.  I was right back on track when I got home.  Over all my calories have been between 1000-1100 a day and my carbs have been less than 50 grams (except on cake day.)  The liquid diet that the doctor would put me on would have me intake 1200 calories a day and about 40-50 grams of carbs.  So I think I’m balancing things out fairly well.

Tomorrow we have a ton of appointments, which will have us out of the house almost all day long.  I’m contemplating either doing my “lean and green” meal at lunch time or just sticking with the protein shakes and keeping the real food for dinner.  The problem with that is we will likely have to eat lunch out (poor hubs has to eat!) and it would be strange and tough to just sit there and watch him eat.  I am going to pack a cooler for my shakes for my snacks though!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Made it

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Yesterday was a marathon day.  I usually leave work around 3:30, but the software that I support went down at about 1:30 and as of now at 6:34 AM is still not back up.  I got home around 7 last night, walked the dog a mile and a half and then was just wiped out.  I knew I had to be back to work at 6 this morning to try to see if the tech folks were able to get the system back up but no such luck. 

I feel like it might be another really long day.  So while I didnt do my EA Sports Workout, I did stay on track with food.  I was really fighting myself to stop and pick up carry out on my way home, I was just so worn out, but instead I ate leftover brown rice and paired it with a lovely (ok two lovely) Applegate Farms Uncured Beef Hotdogs.  Sounds like a strange mix, it is.  But it filled me up, so it did it’s job.  I just had no desire to cook.  I did do well with my points yesterday, I wound up using one of my flex points, but that’s ok, that’s what theyre there for.

On to a new day.  One bite at a time. 

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

POINTS® Tracker entries

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Morning
1  tsp Agave Nectar 0.5
2  Tbsp golden raisins 1
1/4 cup(s) canned pumpkin 0
1/2 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats 2.5
1  serving(s) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla (1 Cup) 1
1  serving(s) Ultimate Life Chia Seeds (1 Tbsp) 0
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice – Quick-added food 0
1  Tbsp chopped pecans 1
Subtotal 6
Midday
1  small banana(s) 1.5
1  serving(s) Trader Joe’s Lavash Bread (1/2 Piece) 2
1  serving(s) Laughing Cow Light Blue Cheese (1 Wedge) 1
1  Chicken Stew 4
Subtotal 8.5
Evening
1  cup(s) cooked brown rice 4
2  tsp butter 2
2  serving(s) Applegate Farms Natural Hotdog (1 dog) 4
Subtotal 10
Anytime
1  small banana(s) 1.5
1  bar(s) Oats & Chocolate 2
1  serving(s) Trader Joe’s Fiberful Ends & Pieces (1/2 Cup) 2
1  serving(s) Trader Joe’s Sweet & Savory Trail Mix (1/4 Cup) 4
Subtotal 9.5
Food POINTS values total used 34
Food POINTS values remaining 0

Wednesday’s Food Journal

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Not much to report from yesterday….besides a 13 point Medium Mocha Frappe from McDonalds.  Yeah should have looked that one up before I had it.  Thankfully there were flex points available AND I looked it up before dinner.  Tonight its Day 2 of EA Sports Active Challenge.  I was going to do it last night, but I didnt.  I could say I was busy, or come up with some other fun excuse, but the reality is I just didnt feel like it.  Today I’m doing it though :)

Completely random-Does anyone have an experience switching their dog to a grain free diet?  We are working on switching ours over and I’d be interested in hearing how it’s worked out for others.

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

POINTS® Tracker entries

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Morning
1  tsp Agave Nectar 0.5
2  Tbsp golden raisins 1
1/4 cup(s) canned pumpkin 0
1/2 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats 2.5
1/2 serving(s) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla (1 Cup) 0.5
1  serving(s) Ultimate Life Chia Seeds (1 Tbsp) 0
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice – Quick-added food 0
Subtotal 4.5
Midday
1  large apple(s) 2
2  cup(s) spinach 0
1  serving(s) Cantare’ Whole Milk Fresh Mozzarella Balls (3 per serving) 2
1  serving(s) Tyson Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breast (2 oz) 2
1 1/2 serving(s) Soy Vey Island Teriyaki Sauce (1 Tbsp) 1
1/2 C Mixed Bell Peppers – Quick-added food 0
Subtotal 7
Evening
3  oz cooked chicken breast 3
1 1/4 cup(s) cooked brown rice 5
1/2 cup(s) onion(s) 0
1  cup(s) mushroom(s) 0
2  tsp olive oil 2.5
1/2 C Mixed Bell Peppers – Quick-added food 0
2  Tbsp Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fry Sauce 1
Subtotal 11.5
Anytime
1  serving(s) McDonalds Medium Mocha Frappe 13
Subtotal 13
Food POINTS values total used 36
Food POINTS values remaining 0
Activity
30 min Walking the dog 2
Activity POINTS values earned 2

The Non-Weigh In Wednesday

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Somehow I managed to talk myself into not getting on the scale this morning.  I don’t know how I did it, I’ve made it an entire week now.  I think I’ll shoot for another week, who knows maybe it’ll be a month before I get on it again.  Instead of focusing on the scale, I’m going to list the good things and bad things I’ve done over this last week, if the good truly outweigh the bad, then the scale should theoretically be moving in the right direction DOWN.

 I’ll start with the bad.  No that doesn’t mean I’m a pessimist, I just like to always end on a good note!

 The Bad:

  • I didn’t get enough activity in.  I used my dog’s injury as an excuse to not walk at all, which is just silly.
  • I didn’t weigh and measure everything I ate; I used the eye ball method which isn’t always a sure thing
  • I didn’t send Bella my food journals last weekend
  • I did not get in my step goals for each day.
  • I didn’t get enough sleep…the entire week.

 The Good:

  • I tracked everyday
  • I started the 6 Week EA Sports Challenge (twice, ha!)
  • I started the above mentioned challenge on the medium setting and it kicked my ass.  Jumping rope 120 times isnt as easy as it was in elementary school!
  • I focused on whole, healthy foods instead of eating as many processed items.
  • I grocery shopped only for produce and needed items and used numerous things out of the pantry (part of my pantry clean out plan.)

 I’d imagine the scale was pretty stagnant this week having looked over the good and bad things.  My clothes aren’t fitting any differently, so I don’t feel any inches (or parts of inches) lost.

The good I am looking for next week:

  • Track everyday
  • Weigh & Measure all food items
  • Stay within my points allowance for the week
  • Email Bella my food journal even on Saturday & Sunday
  • Complete the 1st week of the EA Sports Challenge and move on to the 2nd week

 Is it possible to lose weight without focusing on the scale day in and day out?  I have no idea.  I’m one of those people that will weigh myself 5 times a day, every blasted time I’m near the bathroom with the scale in it I hop on.  That can’t be healthy.  So I am giving this a try, the worst thing that happens?  I get on the scale and really that’s not so bad in the grand scheme of things.

I will continue to post my food journals on each of my posts since that helps to keep me accountable!

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

POINTS® Tracker entries

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Morning
1/2 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats 2.5
1/4 cup(s) canned pumpkin 0
1/2 serving(s) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla (1 Cup) 0.5
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice – Quick-added food 0
1  tsp Agave Nectar 0.5
2  Tbsp golden raisins 1
1  serving(s) Ultimate Life Chia Seeds (1 Tbsp) 0
Subtotal 4.5
Midday
2  cup(s) spinach 0
1 1/2 serving(s) Soy Vey Island Teriyaki Sauce (1 Tbsp) 1
1  serving(s) Cantare’ Whole Milk Fresh Mozzarella Balls (3 per serving) 2
1  serving(s) Tyson Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breast (2 oz) 2
1/2 C Mixed Bell Peppers – Quick-added food 0
1  large apple(s) 2
1  serving(s) Peanut Butter & Co White Choc Wonderful (2 Tbsp) 5
Subtotal 12
Evening
6  oz uncooked ground chicken breast 4
1  tsp olive oil 1
1 1/4 cup(s) cooked brown rice 5
2  tsp butter 2
1/2 cup(s) onion(s) 0
1  cup(s) mushroom(s) 0
Subtotal 12
Anytime
Banana – Quick-added food 1
1  item(s) Kit Kat Bar 5
Subtotal 6
Food POINTS values total used 34.5
Food POINTS values remaining 0
Activity
20 min EA SPORTS Active: 20 Min Workout (Hard) 2
30 min Walking the dog 2
Activity POINTS values earned 4

Healthy You Challenge

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Guess who finally started the 6 Week EA Sports Active Challenge last night?  THIS LADY!  Finally.  I am actually going to do the first workout again tonight (reset the challenge) because I ran into a few kinks last night like not being able to get the Wii Fit board to connect (batteries) and forgetting how sensitive the sensors can be for the weight portions.  Also Fireman says he’s going to do the challenge with me, we shall see.  He’s much better at saying than doing.  I’m not always great at finishing but I do actually attempt to do the things I say I’m going to do.

Last night I slept up in our bed for the first time in a few nights (amazing sleep) since the dog seemed ready to go up stairs.  We brought him up with us and he did great going up the stairs.  This morning coming down the stairs was an entirely different issue.  I think what might have caused all of this was him falling down the stairs.  I walked in front of him this morning and he missed a few stairs because he couldn’t see where his paws were because of his cone!  I took it off and had to help him down the rest of the stairs, but he seemed fine after that.  We’ve blocked off the stairs so that he can’t go up them during the day, so he should be in good shape soon enough.  We are both (the dog and I) looking forward to getting back to his normal walking routine.  Fall is here and that makes for great walking weather!

Food was tracked and on plan yesterday, see below my signature line for yesterdays food journal.  I’m still missing my dairy.  I just havent been feeling the dairy lately.  While I enjoy milk, it isn’t on my top 10 list of ways to spend points, yogurt I have a love hate relationship with.  I probably throw out more yogurt than I actually eat.  It’s not that I don’t like it, but it’s usually the thing that I don’t eat in my lunch box and by the time I get home it’s warm, so I toss it.  Maybe  a calcium supplement is needed.

What is something that you buy all of the time because it’s healthy but you wind up throwing out?  Or maybe I’m the only one that does this, ha!

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

PS-Another day scale free!

POINTS® Tracker entries

Monday, October 04, 2010

Morning
1  oz Philadelphia Neufchatel Cream Cheese 2
1  item(s) Sesame bagels 5
Subtotal 7
Midday
1  oz Natural Kettle Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips 3.5
1  item(s) 6-inch Low Fat Sandwiches Turkey Breast Sub 5
2  slice(s) Sandwich Condiments Bacon 1
1  serving(s) Cheese Provolone 1
Subtotal 10.5
Evening
1  cup(s) cooked orzo 4
1/2 medium green pepper(s) 0
2  tsp butter 2
1  tsp olive oil 1
2  serving(s) Trader Joe’s Spicy Chicken Sausage (1 Link) 5
1/2 cup(s) onion(s) 0
2  Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1.5
Subtotal 13.5
Anytime
1  large apple(s) 2
TJ’s 100 Calorie Kettle Corn – Quick-added food 2
Subtotal 4
Food POINTS values total used 35