LaTonga's Weight Loss Journey

This week I pledge that I am not going to have any foods with sugar.... Nada😁  I have done it before and I will do it again!!! #will power 😘

I really felt inclined to share this with my weight loss friends. On Saturday, I went to Atlanta to the Cheese Cake Factory. I was surrounded around these yummy sweets. I was able to resist! Being honest with myself, I had said  when I entered the building, "I am going to try one piece of cheese cake" Then I saw on the menu that there was a cheesecake sweetened with Splenda. In the back of my mind, that was what I was going to order. I was thinking "who goes to the Cheese Cake Factory and doesn't order cheesecake?" "NOT ME!!" Well, I started thinking, I had been to a wine tasting at Chateau Élan earlier that day, ( I am not a drinker, however, I will consume a glass of wine occasionally)  decided that it was too many calories wasted (wine and then cheese cake). I quickly recalculated what I had  eaten earlier today, and opted not to get the cheese cake. Instead I did order some crabmeat balls. Remembering the wls rules for success. (Protein 1st)  I had

For this week, from 2:00-5:00, if you purchase any holiday drink, you will receive another on FREE!!!  I love this peppermint mocha. But today, I am enjoying the caramel praline. 

Thank God for all of the veterans.I am enjoying my day. Exercise, water, and portion control are on my agenda for today... Enjoy ur day!!! I know I am. My daughter and I are going to do crafts later on today. 

Another excellent experiment: I have seen these Veggetti Spiral Vegetable Cutter in the grocery store. However, they cost $14.95. I finally bought one: It is one of my best investments. So after browsing around the grocery store, I decided to purchase some zucchini squash. I came home and made some zucchini soup.  In the soup I put: squash, corn, cream of chicken, leftover chicken. I placed all of the items on top of the stove and top it with a little bit of cheese. 

Every morning I wake up and I check my email. This morning that was a recipe for some zucchini bread in my inbox. So of course I decided to experiment. I quickly checked my pantry to see if I had all of the ingredients. And you know what? Of course, I had everything I needed.  I decided to make some zucchini bread. This recipe calls for:  3  eggs 1 cup  olive oil 1 3 / 4  cups  sugar 2 cups  zucchini  ( grated ) 2 tsps  vanilla extract 3 cups  all-purpose flour 3 tsps  cinnamon 1 / 8  tsp  nutmeg 1 tsp  baking soda 1 / 2  tsp  baking powder 1 tsp  salt 1 / 2  cup  chopped nuts 1 cup raisins  Below is the finished product. 

Oh yessssss! I applied to insure nutrition to see if I could qualify to receive a months supply of protein. Well, it came in the mail. I got protein shakes, vitamins, and firming cream. God will make a way....no excuses baby! NO eXcUsEs!

I saw this recipe on another website and just had to try it!!! Delicious  2 banannas, 2 egg, cinnamon, and 1 table spoon of vanilla flavoring . Cook  and eat. Yummy with it without syrup. 

With school starting I have been extremely busy! I haven't been updating my blog as I should! Below is a current picture of me for my three year post op appointment with my bariatric surgeon. This picture was taken July 2014 .  Current weight 145 and holding!!! Ain't God good!!! 

It is almost time for school to begin. I am entering my 16th year of teaching. Just as the students are anxious, as a teacher...so am I. My daughter is starting 3rd grade and I will be moving down to teach 6th grade. I will be teaching 3 classes of ela and 1 class of social studies.

Research states that in order for something to become a habit, one must participate at least 21 days.... Consistently... I often hear my friends speak of wanting to exercise, but not having the time or energy to complete it. However, after evaluating how a person's time is spent, there IS some time to exercise. It doesn't have to be in a gym. It can be walking, cleaning up, or running errands.  Perhaps parking farther away from stores and walking from the car to the store. I try to exercise at least 3 days a week. My exercise consists of walking 1 mile, and lifting arm weights at least once or twice a week.  I enjoy social media sites such as Facebook, and Instagram... Just as everyone else... it is so easy to sit down and lose time surfing the internet, that same time can be used to exercise. NO EXCUSES! Let's do this! The key to success... Be consistent! Schedule it. This is your time for your growth. 

This week I have been off track, eating out due to vacation, not limiting portion sizes, not drinking all of my decaffeinated tea, coffee, and water. So this morning, I got up drank 8 ounces of water, took my vitamins, and headed to the gym. I am going to call this: # operation HELL no move that scale!!!! I have gained 5 pounds! I am sure is water and sodium retention! However, I am back on track. I will: drink at least 64 oz of water, up my protein intake, get in all my vitamins, and measure my portions. I will not eat out all week! #operationHELLnomove that scale is in full effect. 

Several days ago I went to a question and answer seminar for a upcoming company. I had never been into the company or heard of its existence until I went to the question and answer seminar. One of the questions that with asked casually to the group was, "what is your passion? "What is the one thing that you enjoy doing? The one thing that if you had to get paid for it, you wouldn't believe that you're receiving money for this particular job. I started thinking... Hum... I'm passionate about education because I've been teaching for the last 15 years, I am passionate about my daughter and being a single parent . It is to my up most benefit that I maximize time along with resources in order to provide an effective life for her. I started thinking what else is it that I am passionate about. I am passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy, a  healthy mindset and healthy attitude.  I am also passionate about trying out or playing with bariatric foo

I absolutely love experimenting with food. This recipe calls for pasta but I decided to substitute with spaghetti squash! Eating healthy DOES NOT have to be boring!!!

  Today is my 3 year surgery anniversary. God has been sooo good to me. Thank you Jesus for the journey, the tool, and the ability to make healthier food choices. Is it easy? NO WAY!!!! Everyday is a challenge, and I accept the challenge.

Yummy! I could Not resist! I should have, but I didn't.

It's the 4th of July!!! Make some wise choices and do not let one day deter you from your goals!! Don't forget to get in that water!!( I am making it my goal for today to get mine in before 2:00 p.m.) Enjoy!!

This is one of my best investments! I bought it at Target for $15.00. Time is always of the essence for me... Screw off blender and pop on the top. Super easy!!!

Omg!!! I just died and went to heaven when I entered the 7-11 store and purchased a sugar free watermelon slurpee. One of my challenges that I face every  summer is drinking liquids... So when I saw this... I purchased the largest size (I know, it ain't water.. But hey it is liquid) so it will help me... I try :) Anyhow, I just thought I would share it with you. It was my treat for the day:) be blessed and enjoy!

Often times I am asked how do I get in ALL of my protein? What do I eat? How do I have time to prep and prepare healthy meals? I saw these at Sam's several weeks ago. I purchased the beef and chicken. I absolutely  LOVE  Mexican food. So I decided to make these at home. 3 ounces is 16 grams of protein. I take them and add some  onions, bell peppers, and create a stir fry. I have also taken some of the meat, and placed it in  an egg omlet with a lil bit of salsa and sour cream. Another idea is to make a small salad, I took chicken fajita meat, feta cheese, lettuce, and black olives and made a small  side salad. A delicious protein packed  meal in a snap!!!

I am generally really good at remembering to take my vitamins. However, a month ago, I ran out of my B complex vitamins. ( I order them online) and forgot to reorder some new ones. Well anyhow , I went for my annual exam and let my primary care doctor check my annual bloodwork. Well, guess what was low? The B vitamins! So, I will faithfully take my B complex vitamin and have my lab work rechecked in 3 months.  Every since I had surgery, my labs have been within normal range. I work hard to make sure that they stay where they are suppose to be. It is really helpful to make a Schedule for vitamins : Below is my schedule: Morning: drink 8 ounces of water when I wake  up , take 2 multivitamins  and iron, and Coumadin ( I have A clotting  disorder and must be on blood thinners....FOR LIFE Mid morning : calcium citrate chewable  Lunch : vitamin d and vitamin b Snack : calcium citrate chewable Dinner : calcium citrate chewable Have you taken your vitamins today? If not, please do so!

Ephesians 4:29 states:  New Living Translation Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Every year on the last day of school, I have my students to complete a survey on me. The survey is for my professional development as I plan for the next academic year. One student of mine told me that she will never forget what I told her " a goal is nearly a dream without a deadline  ". I occasionally used quotes in my power points to make journal topics. Words that are conveyed to others are very powerful. I had to reflect upon my goals, dreams, and aspirations. Do I have a deadline or  time attached to them?  What are some goals that you would like to accomplish and have you attached a deadline to them? Children  are fragile and harsh words CAN and WILL be powerful in speaking damnation to the kids. Use  words carefully because you do not want them to become reality. The tong

The other day I was in Publix picking up some chicken for a family planned event at my parents home. There was a little girl and her mom in line in front of me. They were trying to decide whether they would purchase fried chicken or rotisserie chicken. I commented to them that the fried chicken sure does look delicious. The mom responded," it looks good, it tastes great, but we do not need t o have fried food today because we've already had fried food one day this week." I told her," I totally understand."She turned and looked at me up and looked at me down just trying to check me out and she said , "you wouldn't understand what I'm talking about, you have no issues with your weight."I just laughed to myself and thought.... if she only knew what I knew:)  The moral of the story is you can't judge a book by its cover and the grass always looks greener on the other side.

McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell...the  list goes on and on. One thing that I limit myself in doing is eating out after having bypass surgery. I realize it is extremely vital to my success to plan my meals and also to eat healthy and  limiting eating out fast food or traditional restaurants. How ever, I have learned that there are several tips that everyone must follow  after having surgery for eating out. Number one: plan your meal prior to arriving in the restaurant. number two: stay away from greasy and fatty foods.  number three: do not eat and drink with your meal. number four: have the waitress to bring you a two go box as soon as you get your food. Use that extra food for another meal another day

I wanted something sweet.... Soooo I made this yummy, chocolate, sugar free pudding pie.

As the weather changes and spring time approaches, I enjoy eating salads. I have been going to the Fresh Market and purchasing their pasta salad.  Once I performed a quick inventory of my pantry, I realized that I had all of the ingredients to make some pasta salad. One of the reasons why I go to the Fresh Market to purchase my pasta salad deals with portion control. I only purchase a small serving, and this helps me stay on task. However, whenever I make it at home,which is extremely rare, I take all of the pasta salad and place it in individual containers. I also add some type of meat so that the pasta salad will have some protein added to it. In the salad that is pictured I used: 2 cups of spiral pasta  1/2 cucumber diced up 1/2 cup of olives  Italian drsssing 1 small container of feta cheese 1 /2 package of mini pepperoni 

Hummm... Sometimes it takes me a while to get things that others get rather quickly. A friend and I had lunch at a buffet. Since having surgery I rarely go to a buffet because I do not get my money's worth. Being that I was being treated, I accepted the date and attended the buffet. I am so super proud of myself because I stuck to my plan, ate  mainly dense protein meats, and had a small sliver a piece of cake. My aha moment was realizing that smaller portions actually cause me to get full and over eating was not an option for me. 

Lately my favorite veggie has been zucchini squash and yellow squash. I take  a little bit of olive oil,a little bit of salt and a little bit of pepper and sauté it... Yummy! I take the squash,and I put it in half cup containers. Therefore, I have my Veggies prepped for the week. Do you meal prep? It save me a lot of time, and also assist me in making healthy choices. 

My mother makes the best bananna pudding. Today I indulged in it a lil bit too much. At first, I measured off a 2 oz portion. Well that wasn't enough, and I ate too much. Whenever I eat too much sugar, I get so sleepy and I wake  up totally disoriented... Well that is exactly what happened. Whose fault was it? MINE! I am totally blaming myself! I will know better next time! I hate when I get sleepy. I call it a "sugar coma" because it takes a while for the effects to wear off... Lesson learned: enjoy sweets but portion control is the key! My eyes were bigger than my appetite and my mind was not in total control. I should have been more responsible. So what is my next step? To get up and keep it moving! One bad mistake is not going to deter me from my over all goal of being healthy. I started blogging about gastric bypass because I wanted to share the good, bad, and the ugly. Banana pudding and my new pouch... Do not mix :( be blessed 

I found these at big lots... Yummy! I love sweet tea and this gives me a way to get in my liquids because the tea is decaf. 

Loving my new color 

If you have been following with me for a while, you know that I am a single mom. My daughter is 7. This last week has been so crazy. My daughter had a virus, I took her to an after hours clinic, the next day I had to take her to the emergency room because of pain in the stomach, the next two days the pain became worse  and I took her AGAIN to an after hours clinic!!! When my daughter is ill, then I also am ill! When she aches, I ache! When she crys, I also cry! It seemed as if nothing could comfort her. I bowed down  and prayed to my heavenly father to ease and soothe the pain. I was stressed because I had to make arrangements for her to be taken care of while I went to work to teach others .  My moral or my lesson learned: You are not alone! God will always provide and he will make a way! I was worried about how I was going to do this and how I was going to do that.  Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV) StAtes: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;      I will be exalted

I am loving this 80 degree weather... Especially since last week it was freezing.

I'm a public school teacher and we have had snow here in Georgia twice this year. I really found it interesting that when I am at home, and have a lot of free time, I find myself constantly snacking all day long. I was not conscious of how much I was smacking,yesterday. However, today is most definitely going to be different from yesterday. I placed myself on schedule of eating my meals and snacks for today. When tempted to eat, I drink an additional amount of water to assist with my hunger. While that worked great except for the fact, around seven I found myself munching on some unplanned snacks such as cookies. I am also going to be off work tomorrow. So,hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day as it relates to my snacking. I had to have a talk with myself and it went a little something like this "okay Latonga, why are you snacking so much?" You just ate two hours ago. Was I snacking because I was Hungary? NO! Was I snacking because I was bored? Yes, I was at ho

Prior to having surgery, I could always tell when it was time for my cycle. I craved chocolate! I craved snicker bars and a coke...any type of junk food would pacify me. Well after surgery, I still have those   symptons, instead of having a snicker bar, I will eat a protein bar to satisfy the cravings... Sometimes, I will drink a lil bit of sprite or ginger ale to assist with the cravings for coke. It's odd but it helps for me. Today, I had a pure protein bar... I like them. I have to be careful not to eat it quickly because eating too fast will  make me ill. 

It is time to take out the trash! Over time it is so easy to collect and buy things and items that we do not use! I was given a large amount of winter items from some girlfriends. Therefore I decided to clean out and organize my closet. I noticed lots and lots of clothing ,I had bought or acquired; however, I no longer used. Occasionally it is imperative that we clean out the trash: perhaps your trash is emotional, physical ,financial, jealousy, greed, lust... What ever your trash is... evaluate it and your situation. remember take inventory: it's time to clean out the trash.

Today I made a bad decision. I stopped by Kroger to purchase some decaf tea and a rotessori chicken for dinner. I saw that  some m & m cookies  were on sale...well, I should have keep on walking, did I? Of course, I did not! I bought the cookies. Everyone has their own type of addiction, mine happens to be cookies...yep, I loveum'. I found myself sitting in the parking lot eating them. In my head, I said, "I am only going to eat one", well one, became two, and two became three. I am not sure if I consumed too many or ate them too quick....I totally started to regret it after because I became tired and legetheric.  Lesson learned: why am I buying them ( because they are on sale) Is it worth the pain? of course it is NOT worth the pain Why am I eating them? Was it for hunger? Am I pacifying an underling problem? Well of course, it was the latter. I had to change my mindset.  Everyone has some type of addiction, drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, well mine is food. I am an e

“ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV) I know that I have come along way;however, I still have a long way to go. I know that I must have will power and be consistent for my health.  Things I am greatful for: 1. I no longer have to use a c pap machine to sleep 2. I am no longer on blood pressure meds or have issues with my cholesterol  3. I am no long pre diabetic 4. I am able to exercise / play with my daughter without being winded and tired 5. I no longer hate (loathe ) going to the doctors office ( everyone last one of them told  me to lose weight ) 6. My Venus insufficiency / lymphodemia has improved 7. My vision has improved   8. I no longer spend a lot of  my hard earned cash on expensive clothes in Lane Bryant ( which was my favorite store) now I shop for bargin deals for  20.00 and less 9. I no longer have urinary incontinence 10. I no longer hate going to amusement parks and refuse to ride because of my

I just had to post this awesome deal! I went to Ross and found a size 4 dress for $4.99....#score.

Can you believe we are already into 2014? This picture was taken January 1, 2014... I was at the doctor with my nephew. He had strep throat. I was bragging  to my family because I am almost 3 years  post op and have never been ill with a cold, strep, or sinus infection. Nada, not anything!! I guess that is what I get for bragging because the next week, I was was sick with the flu. I have been extremely lucky because since having weight-loss surgery I don't get sick a lot... That is a great advantage. I was surprised when the doctor told me I had the flu because I had taken a flu shot. Oh well! I guess that's life and I won't complain!

GUESS WHAT I FOUND AT MY LOCAL WALMART??? yep, another great portion control container. I saw these and just had to get them.I also purchased some diet hot chocolate . Lately this weather has had me in the dumps and I really haven't been drinking as I should. I am using the diet hot chocolate to warm up my body and as alternative    way to get in my liquids. As usual, I must share with my fellow readers..the up and the downs of my journey.