a new low

My only goal for the month of December was to see The 140's.  That wasn't terribly ambitious, given that on Dec. 1, I weighed 152.5 lbs.  And on Dec. 3, I hit 150.  

But I love Christmas and reserve the month of December for the ONLY time of year I can indulge in certain sweet treats.  Like White Chocolate Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks, fudge (omg, there is nothing better than licking the pan while the fudge is still warm), and Avalanche Bark.

I had only one holiday peppermint mocha, size small, and shared it with my husband.

I made one pan of fudge this year.  I will confess that it only lasted 3 days.

I made at least 4 or 5 batches of Avalanche Bark (a recipe I found on the internet after trying some at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory a few years ago).  It's ridiculously addictive.  It's white chocolate chips melted with peanut butter.  Then you stir THAT with cups of Rice Crispies.  Once that cools off, you stir in marshmallows and mini-chocolate chips.  OMG, yum!  I cut up and gave away every batch I made this year (minus the squares I took).

Also, I discovered a recipe for Congo Bars right here.  They were SO good.  I'll definitely be making these again next Christmas.  She didn't specify the oven temperature or the pan size.  I went with 350 degrees in a 9 x 13 pan and they were FABULOUS.

I have to say, those Congo Bars are the FIRST food (and so far only) to give me nausea after being sleeved.  I could eat one small square without feeling sick but any more (even one bite!) would make me feel nauseated for 1-2 hours.  Not even fudge did that to me.  

Despite my little indulgences, I managed to achieve my goal this month.  Here's the proof!!




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New Boots

Just a quickie post to show you my new boots. Not the greatest pic, with my pink pajama pants rolled clear up to my thighs (& trash everywhere) but it'll do.



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even my feet are smaller

Shoes were the only thing I enjoyed shopping for when I was fat.  Even if I found a cute outfit, I hated spending money, with the thought that I'd be "skinny soon" and it wouldn't fit.  (Which is a laugh considering how much time I spent being big).  But shoes, I thought, LIKE JEWELRY, would never leave my closet no matter how much I gained or lost.

Shoes were the only thing I enjoyed shopping for.  Oh and handbags & jewels.  They were never guilty of sending me home from a shopping trip in tears.

But now?  My feet have shrunk!!!

So ALL THE SHOES I bought over the last few years (guilt-free!) are falling OFF my feet!

How is this POSSIBLE?

I mean, my highest weight EVER was 246 (that I know of) when I was pregnant.  And by that stage of pregnancy my feet were swollen so huge I was literally "barefoot and pregnant."  In winter!

While pregnant with my first son, my shoe size increased a whole size, and after having him, my new bigger-sized shoes continued to fit.

Here was my theory---- I figured that all the extra weight on my feet, combined with the pregnancy hormones that cause joint laxity, had made my feet bigger permanently.  Like the bones had spread apart permanently.

Even when I went from 220 lbs to 180 lbs, my bigger shoes continued to fit just fine.

It is only now that I'm 150 (whoo HOO!) that I find shoes literally falling off my feet as I walk.  I've gone from a shoe size 9.5 to 8.5.

Yesterday, I walked into a store and my shoe literally went flying right off my left foot!  So embarrasing!

Some of my most favorite shoes no longer fit.  Sniff, sniff.

Then, this morning, I went up to the attic to look for something and saw a bag of shoes in the donation pile.  After having my first son, I had gathered up all of my too-small-shoes and donated them.  But a small bag somehow got separated from the others, and I found three pairs that never got donated.

Here they are:  red patent leather peep toe wedges.  Pewter colored peep toe wedges that are soo comfortable, like a tennis shoe.  AND one cute pair of turquoise slingbacks.

Too bad the weather will prevent me from wearing them anytime soon.

But hey, new shoes!

And a new low!  150 lbs.  OMG, I can't WAIT to see the 140's.  Being this close will help me get through the holidays without overindulging too much.  Unfortunately, the one thing this surgery won't do, is make you feel full from eating anything carby.  I could eat an unlimited amount of chips, crackers, cookies, and CRAP.  So I don't buy it (for the most part).  As long as I eat the foods I should be eating, I fill satisfied very fairly quickly and don't eat much.

I've now lost over 60 pounds.  About 30 lbs before surgery and 30 lbs after.  And I must confess---the weight I've lost after surgery was soooo much easier.  You know why?  Because I didn't feel deprived.  My tummy feels satisfied with normal portions now.  And I don't feel hunger or cravings (or whatever made me eat!) anymore.  Hunger and food used to consume so much space in my brain and it just doesn't anymore.  It feels kinda magical, in a way.

This surgery is the best thing ever.