How Does She Do It?

TGIF Everyone!

I wanted to start by showing a picture of how small my body is getting. Now, for any of my readers who don't personally know me, you won't really be able to tell a difference, because I don't have a before picture. My nutritionist has one, but I would never have taken a full body picture before I started this. I was too embarrassed of how my body looked. While I still have a VERY long way to go, I am actually starting to see the results in my waist line, which is amazing.

I am getting so much support from my friends and family throughout my journey, it is incredible. I have still not told very many people about my plans to have surgery, not because I am unsure that I want to have it, but because it's very personal. It's weird to me, but I feel more comfortable sharing this experience with complete strangers than I do with my friends. Lately, some of my friends and family have been asking me how I am losing the weight. I thought I would share it with you as well.

In order to qualify for this surgery, many insurance companies will make you do a pre-op diet period of either 1, 3, or 6 months. During this period, you do not actually have to lose weight, you just can't gain it. This period is to show your insurance company that you CAN lose weight, and that their investment in this surgery is worth the money, since it is technically an elective surgery still.

The pre-op diet that my nutritionist has me on a low calorie, high protein diet. This diet constitutes of between 1200-1500 (900-1200 for the men) calorie per day diet, with a minimum of 3 meals a day, and 20 grams of protein at each meal. She also wants me to watch my sugar intake, not necessarily with a limit to the amount of sugar that I intake each day, but just to be mindful of the types of sugar that go in to my body, because refined sugars can slow down the weight loss process.

For those of you who have a hard time picturing what this looks like in terms of food, here are a few meal suggestions for you.

Breakfast:
-Protein coffee drink (3-4 shots of espresso over ice with a Premier Protein shake)
-Protein smoothie (Premier Protein Vanilla blended with frozen berries)
-Greek yogurt over Kashi Protein Plus cereal with fresh fruit
-2 eggs (however you like them, I like mine scrambled with cheese and pepper) and 2 slices of turkey bacon

Lunch:
-Trader Joes Turkey Meatballs (100 calories for 2) with marinara sauce
-Grilled Chicken strips and veggies
-Shrimp Caesar salad

Dinner:
-Oven baked chicken (my recipe) and green beans
-Taco Salad (My recipe)
-Trader Joes Brat (no bun) and Brussels sprouts

Snack ideas:
-String cheese
-Rice Cakes
-Air popped popcorn
-Frozen fruit
-Premier Protein shakes

One of the things that helps me keep track of my calories so that I don't go over, is keeping a food journal. I personally like to write things down in a small journal that I keep in my purse, but there are also plenty of aps for your phone for just this, my favorite being MyFitnessPal.

I hope this helps some of you move in the right direction to finding the best lifestyle change for your body. Let me know if you have any post suggestions or questions. I would love to hear from any of my readers! Email me at jenellesjourney@gmail.com or comment on any post.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Jenelle