Picky, Picky, picky!!!

I am a very picky eater and usually have the same menu every week.
HERE IT IS!!!

Sun-Taco night
Mon-Pasta
Tues-Pork chops or Chicken w/ starch and veggie
Wed-(for the kids & hubby-Chicken patties and Tater tots) Tuna or egg salad for me...
Thurs-anything with Hamburg (meatloaf or manwiches)
Friday-(for kids & hubby Fast Food Friday), me Whatever is quick and easy (but not junk).
Saturday-whatever is there...LOL I never cook on Saturday!


I do switch it up time to time...but my kids love routine and know that every Sun night is Taco Night! Plus my step-daughter Natasha is with us and my mom will come up for Taco Night! My kids tell me all the time "Mummy your tacos are the best". It never fails, every Sun night, I hear them tell me that! Even when I have burnt the shells...LOL.
Ok back to subject...

At my Weight Watcher's meeting Saturday morning we talked about Substituions. Swaping things for something healthier. I am signed up for Hungry Girls morning emails and read them all the time. Even her new show!!!! I love it!!

Well, I am a picky picky eater and tonight I made spagetti squash as a replacement for pasta. You know what, it really wasn't all that bad! I really enjoyed it with my red sauce. I was super proud of myself for trying something new!

OH I have great news!!!! We found the COOKIE FORM! What a relief!!! I was so devastated and now I am so relieved! I tell you one thing, I will NOT be cookie mom EVER EVER EVER AGAIN! LOL! Seriously!

Another thing!!! I was extremely active today! At work and home! I was on bathroom duty at work. (Toileting and changing everyone)! Then did my sit ups, cooked dinner, and finally just sat down! Its been such a long, busy day!

Speaking of work, in the midst of me shopping and being super excited about my 50 lb weight loss, I lost another friend of mine! Another Angel to watch over me, I know she is so much better off! What kind of life is it to lay in a wheelchair all day long, can't speak or move! (For those who don't know, I work as a Case Manager for adults with developmental disabilities)! RIP Beanie, I will miss u!

So, I went searching everywhere for boots! Guess what.....NO BOOTS! I couldn't find anything I liked! Nothing "JUMPED" out at me! So, I suppose I will wait until I find the perfect pair!

Have I told you guys I am addicted to blogging! Seriously, I check it daily to see comments and check to see whats new with everyone! I might not comment for everyone but I do read them! "Hi, my name is Mandy and I am addicted to BLOGGING"!

ALrighty, well I guess I will head off to bed! Get my rest so I am ready to SHOVEL MORE FREAKIN SNOW!!!

Good night!

~Mandy

~50~

I first want to say "Thank you" to my new followers! I am interested to read up on your blogs and get to know you all~
But really my main reason for blogging tonight! I did it! I really did it! I reached 50 lbs today~ I have lost a total of 50.8! Even though I am still feeling crappy! I am flying high with this number! So I must say, I spent $50 today on myself. I bought 2 pairs of jeans and a few shirts. I am down 2 pants sizes (24 down to 20) and shirts (26/28 down to 18/20)!
One of my biggest goals was to buy a pair of skinny jeans and boots. Well, I bought my first pair of skinny jeans! They will take some getting used to; but they actually look rather good (at least my husband says they do). LOL! I had my mom take a pic with my new clothes on! The shirt is a tad tight (not what I am used to), but I didn't want to buy it too big, since it won't be long til that no longer fits!
Please don't lie! Be honest! How does it look?

I really hate photos...I don't think they do any justice! LOL. My hair was a mess and I am not feeling good! So I am going to head out tomorrow to buy some boots to go with the skinny jeans. Seriously, I may not be all that skinny to be wearing these "SKINNY" jeans; but honestly I am at a weight I am actually feeling comfortable in my "own skin"!!!!
Here is a few before pics! This is me a few years ago! At my heaviest 280's and doing the yo-yo thing! 1st up Me and my husband (do u see how thin he is)?? 2nd up me and my baby boy Joshua! Last but not least, me, my husband, my daughter and the judge that finalized the adoption (my husband adopted my daughter)!

More to follow, when I did up more old photos of me! I am just extremely happy to reach that 50 lb goal!

I want to begin this BYOC and take care of my part of the nomination; but not much time tonight, so I will do that hopefully tomorrow! I think its great to get to know people that way! So thank you to Amber for nominating me!

I am so happy to have met new people who are going through as me!

Good Night All!

~Mandy

Bla, bla, blahhhhh

I am sick! I have a horrible head and chest cold. I am taking my sudafed and anti-histamines and it feels like they are not working! I have not had a cold in a long time. I have body aches and pains. I have the chills but no fever. Ugghh, one thing after another.

And yet it snowed again! I am really sick of looking at all this white, dirty, fluffy, icy, cold stuff! There is so much snow, we really have no where else to put it! I swear my house is freezing because the snow is half way up the siding! My heating bill will be high this month, thats for sure.

I have lived in Massachusettes all my life and I don't mind the snow! But really now, I think its just too much! One week after another there is a storm!

Ever have those days where "ALL" day you thought it was a different day? Today, all day, I thought it was Wednesday! It's really Thursday! I didn't realize it was Thursday until 3pm...when the day was half over.

I feel like I have failed as the cookie mom! I lost one of the cookie order forms. The little girl is going to be devastated! I feel so bad I want to cry! I called the Troop Leader (my new friend Jen) last night to explain what happend. I love her, she really knows how to tell people to "relax, its alright, we will find it"!! Then proceeded to tell me "your a volunteer and not getting paid for this. You have a full time job that is demanding, you have 3 kids, your a wife and you have a life outside of Girl Scouts, Shit Happens, so RELAX". So I finally relaxed. But I still feel horrible and I feel like a complete failure!

My week has been hell...Not sure what the scale will bring to me Saturday! Yesterday, I was hungry...quite often than usual. I don't even want to call the Dr.'s office back...So I will give it more time! I still get the gurgles every now and then...but overall doing better!

Well until Saturday, weigh in....wish me luck! I am just over 2 lbs shy of my 50 lb goal.

~Mandy

~Feeling deflated~

Today I called the Dr's office to see if they could help me with the gurgling I have going on! They told me to come in as soon as I could get there! So more time off of work and more gas guzzling (my Dr's office is about 30-45 mins away).
When I got to the weight center I met with the Nurse and explained the discomfort I am feeling, the difficulty eating, and the noises I am making! Do you know the Nurse told me that not everyone needs a fill (adjustment) their first 6 week visit! I thought to myself "I told the Dr. I was doing good and had restriction, but he gave me a fill (adjustment) anyways"! GRRR....so, she took it all out! The 3 cc's that he put in...she was able to get it all out! The pain and discomfort from the needle this time was a bit more pronounced because the needle was in for a longer period of time. The nurse pulled the needle out and didn't hold the port (it felt like the port was going to pop out of my skin)!!! Oh the joys of this band!
I don't have any regrets, I just wish the Dr. would have listened to me when I explain "I KNOW MY BODY"!!!! Oh the bright side according to their scale I am the same weight as Saturday; with Jeans, 2 Shirts and my shoes!!! I guess I am down another few pounds...! Can't wait til next Saturday!

Well, thought I would keep you updated on my journey and this is definately and Update!
Have a great week!

~Mandy

P.S...I had a difficult time at the Baby Shower yesterday (with all the food around), but I was able to just have 2 small meatballs and a slice ham and cheese rolled up! No desserts (except strawberries)!!! A great NSV (non scale victory)!!!!

What to write???

Well Good Morning,

How is everyone? Do you like my pic? I thought I was looking good (which isn't too often) and snapped a photo! Anyways, I am doing alright! Down a few more pounds! Feeling good, except I still have some gurgling. So this week I am calling the dr's office to see if they can take a little fluid out! I think they rushed my 3 cc's.

So I must tell you, I have been exercising; well a few days this week anyways! I did some sit ups on the exercise ball and about 5-7 minutes on my treadmil. It may not be alot but my treadmil is an uphill killer! With the asthma I get out of breath easilly! So as days go on, I will increase my time! I am also doing cardio on the wii fit, I love the hula hoops and jogging!

I have been super busy too with Girl Scouts since I am the cookie mom this year! Who would have known it is so time consuming! Yesterday we sat outside Wal-mart in the freezing cold, jumping up and down waving signs for people to buy our cookies! We did really good and sold 165 boxes out of 300!

I have a friend! Its my daughter Hannah's friends mom, also the Girl Scout Troop Leader (Jen, a.k.a Jenna * my nickname for her)! Our girls have been in school together since kindergarten and we finally met last year, but did not get close until recent! I find it extremely easy to talk to her, about anything! We can not make a phone call to one another without it lasting for more than 1/2 hour! I found out yesterday her parents have the same name as mine (really how bizarre is that). Mind you, my new friend is about 10 years older than me, but her kids are the same ages as mine! So we have made plans for Memorial Day Weekend to go camping! None of my friends enjoy the outdoor of camping, so its nice to find another family who does!

Well, today I have my cousin's baby shower to go to! Granted its right downstairs, but I wish I was sick! I really don't want to go! I am just in one of those moods that I don't want to be around a bunch of people! Ever have those days? Today is mine!!! Oh well, I guess I can go and put a smile on face and be "happy"!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Mandy

Maybe a Tad too TIGHT!!!

Since my "fill" on Thursday I am doing ok, but things are definately different! I can't eat a full 4 oz's. About 4 bites and chew chew chew, I am full! No Problem, I don't want to eat like I used to anyways! My problem is the fact I have this weird gurggling sound after I eat or drink anything! Like it is sitting in the back of my throat and just bubbling away! I am thinking the fill made me just a bit too tight! I can get things down, without throwing it up...but it just stinks to have that feeling! A few people say that it will get better and will eventually subside! This is what I am hoping! I don't want to have to call the Dr. and take more time off work to get an "UnFill"!!!

Since I have the day off, I should start trying to get in a work out! Maybe on the exercise ball, I can do some ab work!

Well, thanks for listening! Hoping for a non gurggling throat next time I write!!

~Mandy

Weekly Weigh In and more..

Oh, I am a bit unfocused at the moment since the Steelers are finally in the lead again against the Ravens. Oh man what a stressful game!

Hello again, its Saturday; weigh in day! I am down 2.4 this week for a total of 45.2! Wow, I am still speechless about my weight! I am finally getting somewhere!! Its just amazing to me...but I guess its time for me to really step up the exercise this week. I guess the rest of the weight won't just melt off, although I wish it would be that easy!
So this week I am planning on getting onto the Wii Fit and doing some of those exercises along with some walking on the treadmill. I would rather a bike or eliptical; but treadmill will do. I have an exercise ball, bit not sure how to use it yet! I sit on it, bounce on it, but want to learn to do ab work outs. (Most of what I need to lose is in my tummy). I have that one roll I desperately want to get rid of! Anyone have any exercises they enjoy, or Wii games for exercise that you can recommend?
I notice that when I dont really take my time eating I can only eat a few bites and I am done. Well tonight I made Alfredo, with whole wheat linguini and only had a spoon full, cut it up and it was about 3 ozs. I was able to eat it all! It took me about 40 mins to eat, but I ate! I ate every pick and licked the bowl..LOL! I have not had any pasta in well over 6 months. I wont have it often, but my family was craving it badly and missed my alfredo! I finally gave in. Oh and this is the first time I introduced pasta to my band! So far so good!

~~~~~~~~YEAH!!! Steelers WON!!! WOO HOOO!!! GOOOO STEELERS!!!!~~~~~~~~

So Sorry RAVEN FANS!!! NOT

This Thursday is the Surgical Discussion Group that a few friends and I are going to go to! I haven't been since before surgery! I am a bit excited to see my friend Erica who had the bypass a week after me, she said she is down 33lbs since surgery!
I notice that I am long over due for some alone time; maybe a date night with my husband! Since we seem to have Natasha over more often we no longer have a sitter to watch all 3 kids, and we seem to have all 3 kids all weekend long! I just miss a little quality time with him! I also haven't much time for my friends either! I need a sitter! LOL.

Well, I think this is all I have for now! I am just more focused on the football at moment! So I will write again soon!

My goal for this week......EXERCISE!!!!!

~Mandy