2 Weeks out!

So yesterday marked two weeks since my surgery and things are pretty good.  I went back to work on Monday and had a pretty good week with my students.  So far I've lost 17 pounds since my surgery.  I'm finally fitting back into some of my old clothes and things are great.  I even joined a gym and they have child care.  I'm going to set small goals for myself at first.  Through all of my research I've learned that the weight loss is really fast at first and eventually it will slow up some.  My goal is to lose between 10 and 12 pounds a month.  
All I've had for the last week was water, decaf coffee, and protein shakes.  This diet will continue for another week then its on to soft foods.  I will be able to transition back to solids on April 20.  

That's my latest update.  I will be sure to let you know how things go. 

The Big Day!!!

I had the gastric sleeve surgery on March 14.  Everything went well and I'm home now.  I spent a total of 3 days in the hospital and I'm so happy to be back home.   When I was in the hospital the only thing I could have was room temperature water.  My sugar was low twice and they had to give me some juice.  Now that I'm home I can have a mixture of juice and water, sugar free Popsicles, sugar free jello, and chicken broth.  I haven't felt like eating anything.  As a matter of fact I've been eating on the same Jello for the last 2 hours.  I can admit that when I see commercials for food they make me want those foods, but to be honest I wouldn't be able to eat it at all. 

I weighed myself the night before and I weighed 276 pounds.  This is the picture I took that night. 

I will take another one next month and update my weight. 

Off to Kuwait.... I Think?

So I finally got my "Golden Email" from the school in Kuwait.   Well basically it was an email saying that my interview went well and I've been recommended for a teaching position at the school.   So now the principals and director are back in Kuwait making the final decision.   It also said we should know something by the end of March.   So the wait continues!   

FYI:  My surgery is schedule for Friday March 14.  Just 4 days away! 

My YOLO Mission

You Only Live Once is a saying that we often hear, but how many people truly live by it?  I've made up my mind not to let the fact that I'm a single parent hold me back anymore.   So from this day on I'm on a YOLO mission and I'm taking this journey with both of my babies.

So my Abu Dhabi interview was a success even though I thought I did bad I was still recommended for the position.   I should be getting my official offer letter soon.  I'm still waiting to hear back from the school in Kuwait.  That’s truly the job that I want.   The money is less but the benefits are so much better.  Not to mention my kids would go to school for free.  I hear the school is a really good school and the students and staff all love it!  If I end up in Abu Dhabi I will have to pay for school and a nanny.  That will cost me about $1000 a month.  Well either way I'm out of here in August!

I'm 11 days away from my weight loss surgery and I'm nervous and excited.   I know this is a major life change and I pray that I can make all the right decisions.  I started my 2 week 1200 calories a day diet on Saturday.  It’s supposed to consist of 4 small meals with lots of protein or 4 protein shakes a day.   I decided to do a mixture.  For instance, I had breakfast that consisted of egg beaters, turkey sausage, mushroom, and low-fat cheese.  Then a protein shake for lunch and snack and my dinner will be beef stir-fry.  

I didn't really stick to my diet on the first day.  I had a slice of pizza and a root beer, but since then I've been really good.  I have to make this work.  If I don't lose the weight then my liver won't shrink and I won't be able to do my surgery.  I'm determined to make it work.  

Like I said I'm on a YOLO mission and in order to do that I have to be healthy.  My number one reason I’m doing it is for my kids.   I want to see them grow up.  I'm tired of hating the scale.  I'm tired of wearing girdles.  I'm tired of being fat!

Well I will update you guys when I hear from the school in Kuwait or the day before my surgery!