LaTonga's Weight Loss Journey

Christmas 2016 Jesus is the reason for the season!

It's October! Breast Cancer Awareness Month.. Get those check ups!!!

Thanks Kroger for my classroom teaching supplies! #teacherperks. 

OMG!!! It is HOT!!!!!! Georgia heat is no joke! I am enjoying this slurpee! And and it is sugar free!!! Love it!!!

Today I celebrate 5 years post op/ RNY July 13, 2011

If you do not plan, then you plan to fail. 

My latest indulgence... Protein frappe from Starbucks! 

Starbucks protein shake and my recliner #tiredteacher #officiallyonsummerbreak #teacherlife   

Ok folks, I am almost 5 years post op (July 13) I will officially be 5 years! Well, yesterday I went walking, and later on came home and ate my dinner. I started feeling strange in my stomach area. The pain was different: not the usual pain that I have experienced. However, I went to the doctor this morning to see what is going on. The doctor suggested that I monitor the pain over the weekend and follow up with him on Tuesday. Hopefully, I will make it through the weekend. I was thinking: I have come a long way with out any issues and that is how I want my journey to remain. Please keep me lifted in your prayers because this pain is no joke. Good night!

YIKES!!! Almost 41... This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was thinking to myself "What am I going to do for my birthday?" Do I need any thing? What is it that I want? Generally I would treat myself to a day of pampering: hair, nails, brows, going out to lunch or dinner at my favorite restaurant. These things I generally do on a regular basis anyway! So I will just enjoy my day! No pampering: just a little bit of rest.

Why is it when one has had weight loss  surgery. Others who have NOT had weight loss surgery ask the most craziest questions? For example, I see you are keeping that weight down. I am thinking to my self. What! Do you expect me to fail? Do you expect me to regain all of it? I thought about where I came from, and how much I still want to do. My motto: keep Pushing and pressing forward! 

On Thursday, I celebrated my 39th birthday. I really did not do anything special because it was so cold and raining so hard. I generally take my birthday off to have a special day for myself but this year I decided to go to work. Today I started thinking about what I am thankful for and the list goes as follows: 1. I am thankful for the spirit of discernment.  2. My one and only daughter Layla, there is not anyone like her... My lil unique baby 3. My parents and family, yes they can get on my nerves, but they are always there when I need them. 4. My job... I often complain but it pays the bills 5. Thankful for being a gastric bypass recipient..., it has totally changed my life for the better 5. Thankful that I  can exercise and not get too tired  6. Thankful that my legs do not rub together when I walk 7. Thankful that going to the gym and exercise is now apart if my regular routine... Not just something that I do because I have some extra time. 8. Thankful for listen

Yesterday, my  7 year old daughters dad had a massive heart attack and passed away suddenly. I am an emotional eater, and I found myself turning to food for comfort. I ate out twice, once in the food court at the mall and later on at Cookout for a burger. The interesting thing is...I acknowledged that I wasn't Hungary. I just wanted to feed my emotions. I made the choice of what to put in my mouth. Yes, I could have eaten something healthy, but I was feeding my emotions.  One thing that I have learned about WLS is that one must be able to face their demons ( have strategies in place so that one will not relapse into prior habits). I am up at 4:22 AM writing because it helps me to share with others instead of turning to food... Just though I would share with you.

I love to go grocery shopping early in the morning during the summer time . I always find the best deals. The other day I was in Wal-Mart, I found these peach teas. I did a double take, Diet peach tea...I have drank some of the regular peach tea but Lipton but it was wayyyy toooo sweet. I feel that the diet will be a great summer hit. Low calories per serving and not sugar... YOU CAN'T BEAT IT!!

I asked God to reveal to me one word that I need to focus on for 2016. Soar is the one word that came to my mind. So this year, my motto is to SOAR in every thing that I do!

My 41st birthday is right around the corner. COUNT DAY TO MY B DAY (MARCH 6)...GET READY!! ,

My God is awesome!!! Take some time out your busy schedule look look at the marvels  of beauty around you!

As a parent, I TRY to instill  the best values in my daughter. The other night we were in Kroger and she wanted to purchase a Naked protein smoothie. I had seen the drinks in the grocery stores before ,but had never purchased one. I generally would ask my daughter  about the sugar content of the item however, I was in a hurry and really wanted to get home to rest. Well,we purchased the drink and when I arrived home, I looked at the sugar content... Wow!!! 42 grams of sugar!! Ugh, it is loaded with natural sugars.  I used this opportunity as a teaching point to remind her to read labels. Would this be a healthy snack? Of course not? She could have eaten a single candy bar or 2 to have the equivalent  amount of sugar.  The one thing that I am so grateful for from my weight loss experience journey is the reading of labels to limit the amount of sugar and to better educate myself and my family. When you know bettet, do better!

Lord I love some hash!!! My mom made hash for Christmas! You haven't experienced good bbq until you taste my mom's!

I found these two recipes on the web several months ago. I had saved them on my Facebook time line but didn't try them out until this past weekend,   Boy have I been missing out! I will admit it !!! (Sigh..yes I will) I have been eating out too much because I have been off of work.  Being a single mom, I must always TRY to  plan and prepare. On weekends, I will generally cook for the up coming week. These two dishes are easy and quick to prepare.  Introducing chicken crust pizza and cheese burger pie to you-Both my daughter and I enjoyed the dishes and I am going to add them to my recipes of low carb dishes. 

I will return to work on tomorrow. I got my food prep on lock! Eggs, eggs, AND mo eggs!! Breakfast is prepped for the week!