LaTonga's Weight Loss Journey

My Plans For 2013 1.        To maintain my weight…maintain…omg..Not lose. Not gain but maintain..Wow...this is the first time I ever said to maintain…oh well…that is at the top of my list (from 137-142 lbs.~ this is my comfort zone) 2.        To find a better paying job. I enjoy teaching but hey..It is all about making some money to survive in this crazy economy. 3.        To become the best parent ever for my daughter. Single parenting is hard…but hey it’s workable and I am going to make it work. 4.        To grow in Christ. Enough said. Make sure that I am growing and learning. 5.        To save more money…I spend too much on ill insignificant things...gotta do better   As it relates to my weight loss these are the things I do good with:   1.        Taking my vitamins..D...

As I sit here on this cold, nippy, winter morning, sipping on my protein shake and reflecting on how 2012 was for me and how I aspire 2013 to be even greater. These are the top things that come to my mind. 2012 January 2012 I weight in @ 160 lbs. I had a great exercise routine that I was following.   February 2012 Travis went to heaven (my lil cousin. He was 32 years old) It was an eye opening experience because I learned that time does not wait for anyone. Live life to the fullest..ALWAYZ!! March 2012 My birthday~ weight @ 150 lbs.; I was the runner up in the Bariatric Ball. I had the opportunity to have my hair and makeup done professionally..I   had on makeup that was airbrushed..totally loved it!! I got a NEW hair cut to match my weight loss at the end of the month. April 2012 Started dating this really sweet older guy (he was really into working out and fitness). It...

Yesterday I consumed too many carbs dressing, potato salad, Mac and cheese... Today I am going to get back on track#headed to the family y... Gotta do it!

Today I wanted something sweet... I found a recipe for some sugar free peanut butter cookies 1 cup Splenda , one cup of peanut butter, and one egg, mix all ingredients together and bake for 15 mins!

Well I absolutely love carbs.... Breads, potatoes, any types of pasta are my weakness. My daughter wanted me to cook some spaghetti for dinner. So I decided to make some... I ate just a little bit and placed the rest in the refridgerator . I came across a recipe on using spaghetti squash instead of pasta to save on calories. Well guess who ran to my neighborhood Kroger to buy some spaghetti squash? That's right.... me! I  googled it and saw all types of ways to cook it!... Placed it in the oven, cleaned out the seeds and placed it over my spaghetti sauce... Delicious, low carb meal!

WOW!! My holiday break is almost over. This was the first year that I was on regular food for the Thanksgiving holiday. I made sure of two things: I MEASURED MY PLATE and I got in ALL of my water. It was sort of funny to fix my plate and to measure everything out I felt like all eyes were on me..lol. My dad told me that my plate looked like a snack..but it was filling for me. For dessert, I have been craving a slice of red velvet cake. A close friend of mine gave me a small slither of a red velvet... GUESS WHAT??? I did not make me sick!!! YIPPEE!!! That was my treat for the holiday.  My weight loss journey is a family affair..A cousin of mine made a sugar free  yogurt pie..just for me...so that I would not be left out on eating dessert. Now I've got to get back on schedule with my sleeping pattern because it is all out of whack!!

Me~November 13, 2012@ 138 lbs Every month on the 13th I always take time to take a photo and to reflect on my weight loss success.This month is dedicated to 10 Things that have changed because of WLS: 1. my health..I do not sleep with my c-pap,  and Iam offof high blood pressure medicine 2. I am able to exercise long periods of time with out my legs giving out 3. M.y shoe size from8.5 and 9 to 7.5 and 8..my old sneakers look like boats 4. I can cross my legs..yipee 5. A new found confidence..I have always been confidant...but now..it is a new found confidence..very humbling 6. My daughter and I are able to walk around my neighborhood and not get tired 7. I went to an indoor water park..played in the water with my daughter w/out feeling uncomfortable about my size 8. The amount of money that i spend on clothes ( size 4 and 6 are cheaper) than plus sizes 9. The amount of money spent on fast food..we only indulge in eating out once a week. 10. ...

It has been a while since I have updated my blog. Currently, I am maintaining my weight loss at 138 lbs. Unfortunately, I have not been working out on a regular basis. Next week, I plan on hitting the gym DAILY!! I have a membership at the local Family Y..but I haven't been in two weeks.(I got to get my money's worth) I must refocus and make exercise a priority. Even though, I have lost @122 lbs..I must work out to regulate my blood pressure and sleep apnea. Sometime it can be very hurtful for my friends and family to tell me that I do not need to work out. ~They really do not understand my struggle.~ I must maintain a schedule so that I will not slip..I guess I am trying to appease others instead of pleasing myself. No one fully knows my struggles except for myself and God.   I am in a trial and error stage of foods so there fore I have been experimenting with different recipes. I found this recipe on pinintrest for banana ice cream. IT I...

Breakfast~ protein shake Lunch~Everyday I take my lunch to work. It saves money and also helps me to stay on task (today~ 4 oz bar.b.q chicken breast), 1/2 of a dinner roll, and 2 oz of squash Snack~ peanuts and a cheese stick

Today I got off the track. Being @ 16 months post op..I am now in a trial and error stage as it relates to my eating habits. Today I made a ham sandwich with cheese and mustard and ate several cheetos...major mistake..was ill for several hours..A lesson well learned...TOO MANY CARBS= GAS!!

How easy it is for me to order some take out from a restaurant.  I wanted some REAL Food, I came home and steamed some yellow squash, zucchini, and onion, with olive oil with some country styled ribs! Delicious meal! And I might add ..tasty and healthy meal!

Whew! Today my daughter taught me the value of eating healthy. I stayed at work late trying to catch on school work. Prior  to having surgery I buried myself in  my work. I made a promise to myself that I would put myself first..not work!!! Anyways, . I quickly went to the school, picked up my daughter, and went through the drive through at McDonald's . I ordered a kids meal for my daughter and a burger for myself. When we got home, my daughter said to me, " I do not want you to get sick.... You know when you eat fast-food, it makes you sick". I ate half of the burger and a small portion of bread, and two of her chicken nuggets. HOW ABOUT MY DAUGHTER WAS CORRECT! I felt awful from eating the fast food. ANOTHER LESSON LEARNED....It saves money to eat at home vs. eating out!! Even though, I know this, it was nice to be reminded of it...plan, plan, plan my meals so that I will not PLAN to go through the drive through. The bad thing about it..I was sick from eating the fo...

Tomorrow is Labor day..to prepare for the holiday, I cooked  some pork chops and will make some cole slaw.  I do not plan on overrating but planning my meals so that my food choices will be healthy. Today a friend and I went out to lunch. It was the first time since having surgery I have been to this particular restaurant. I was so proud of my self...I only ate a small portion and I did not eat anything off of my plan. Point blank...making small steps is the key to my success.

 Today I took my daughter and my cousin to Adventure Crossing to celebrate the end of the "first week of school".  I made sure I drank plenty of liquids because the weather was so humid. I totally love being able to spend quality time with my daughter...priceless summer memories.

Every morning I start my day off with a protein shake. It took me a minute to determine that  I needed something reasonable but yet flavorful. The recipe for my shake is:   8-10 oz of skim milk  A table spoon of decaf coffee Two scoops of Kroger Whey and Soy protein mix ( 11.99 @ Kroger~ very reasonable) A splash of coffee mate (caramel, hazelnut, or vanilla) Put everything in a blender bottle and shake  It taste like a latte from Starbucks..without the price and calories...ENJOY!!!

I absolutely love ZUMBA!!  Today I went to the gym and I THOUGHT I was getting ready to complete a zumba work out..only to find that I had looked at the wrong day...Zumba is tomorrow.I had to laugh at myself...DO NOT WORRY!! I decided to try the step aerobics class. Let me remind you..I am not the best with keeping up with routines but, oh well ,lets try something different. The first 30 mins of the class was great. I was struggling to keep up with the routine but I did! YEAH ME!! The next part of the class, I left out of to go walking..IN MY OPINION,...walking is so therapeutic..I put on my headphones and get into my zone..and walk my behind off...A great way to ease stress..It helps me to place life in perspective..I know it sounds odd but..IT WORKS FOR ME!!! Tomorrow, I will hit up the gym and do Zumba class that I THOUGHT I was going to today..until tomorrow folks...Have a good one..I know  I did.

Whew! Summer flew by..I am a public school teacher and today was my first day back to work. This is entering my 15th year of teaching! Who can believe that I have held down a job for 15 years??? ME EITHER!!! lol. Anyways,  today I am 13 month's post op... today I weighted in @ 142.5 My goal for today is to get in all of my protein, drink all of my water, and exercise. I did not get a chance to exercise today bc I stayed at work too long. As I sit here and reflect, I recall a time when I buried myself in my work...No longer am I doing that..but I must use my time wisely..tomorrow will be better.  I will take my gym clothes to work and change them so that will help me with my time management. I got to stay on schedule!!

I am back on track..got up, walked 2.5 miles, had my protein shake, and how I am going to get ready for church..today is my last day before school starts... praying for a successful school year for myself and my little daughter who will be entering 1st grade.

OMG! Today, I went to the mall to "look around" because it is tax free weekend in Georgia. How about I went into Ann Taylor and tried on some pants size 4 petite..YIPEE!! and you know I bought them..A SIZE 4..Hell yeah! and I might add, they look great on me. Today I weighted in @ 141.5

April 17, 2012 Today I went to the dr that monitors my sleep apenea... SLEEP APENEA is GONE!!! 9 months out...feels great..no more sleep machine for me!! I forgot to mention that I am also off of my Blood pressure pills and potassium pills..GOD Be THE GLORY!!!