How to let go of the PAST by Amanda Gore

DROP YOUR POTATOES.

Or, make fries?

I LOVE THIS.

$500 Giveaway! Ends tomorrow!

 

 

Keep talking.

12 year old gastric sleeve patient. I have no words.

From Dr. Alvarez, "Amazing "before and after" slideshow where Betsy, who had the gastric sleeve procedure at 12, shows her weight loss journey and results."

You bet I am torn about this.

I've met the surgeon who performed the surgery, several times... he's a lovely person with superb skill.  He's awfully cute as well.  (Of course I can't find the photo of us.)  BUT I DIGRESS.

However.  12 years old?  I can't get my 12 year old to shower on a predictable basis - how on EARTH would I get him to follow through with the long-term care and feeding of a bariatric surgery procedure?

Is it worth it to step in and thwart the long term effects of obesity at a very young age -- or are we screwing with an adolescents development?  

I am torn.  Very.

PS. I suppose I should mention? The little girl is the niece of her surgeon. Wait, what? Right. She's got a bariatric surgeon in the family -- whereas some of us can't get one on the phone.  Dr. A, will you adopt me?

Torn.  Very.

Bacon and Eggs in Muffin Cups

This morning my daughter asked for bacon and eggs.  She had a sleepover last night, and they pirated all the milk with late night cereal bowls and we had nothing they wanted.  "Make us eggs?"  

What brings you JOY? Why do you HATE?

What brings you JOY? Why do you HATE?.

Building Blocks Essential Bariatric Vitamins Coupon Code for MM Readers!

 

Building Blocks Vitamin-Essential Bariatric Supplements is dedicated to providing a quality product designed especially for the bariatric patient. Made with the highest bio-available ingredients, we offer a complete product line of bariatric specific formulated vitamins and minerals. 

Yeah, yeah... we know.  BUT --

Have you heard about Building Blocks Vitamins?  And have you tried them?  Please do!

Personally, I love the Multiple Mixed Berry Multivitamin, Orange Calcium, and ADORE the sublingual B12 spray. 

Here's a super opportunity for Melting Mama readers to try a selection of Building Blocks Vitamins at a huge discount.  

Order a 30 day supply of selected vitamins and receive -

• Up to a 35% discount on a 30 day supply of multiple, calcium and iron chewable vitamins
• Get a 50% discount on shipment
• Use this form - Melting Mama - BBV Patient Order Form 
• Call Building Blocks with the code 04MM120101 at (877) 419-1568 
• Fax the form to Building Blocks at (954) 670-0495      

Don't forget to join Building Blocks online at -

   

 

Man loses 270 on his own with no weight loss surgery. (Hot dayum.)

Source - CNN

Regardless of your feelings of the whole "he did it without surgery" aspect of these stories in the media -- IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER -- CAUSE?  Weight loss is weight loss.  Weight loss is not easy no matter what route you choose.  He simply chose a different path than we did.  

As someone nearing eight years post weight loss surgery, I  seem to respect weight loss without the aid of surgery more -- because it's SO MUCH HARDER when you can eat.  I'm at the stage where I can almost eat a normal amount of food, and it is no longer "easy."   I have to consider my choices -- and sometimes -- I have to "diet," too.

So.

HE. FREAKING. DID. IT.  It doesn't matter HOW.  We are all one in this.

Shut up and respect that.   Look at him!

Here we go: Gym Ad Mocks Paula Deen

Feast your eyes on this --

Gee. That's not offensive. Oo

Drama Llama - How To Be Drama Free?!

Did you ever notice a pattern is the drama surrounding you at WORK -- at HOME -- or even ONLINE?  *shameful look*  Um, yes. /shameful look  

Did you ever notice it might have something to do with... you?  It often does.  So?  What to do about it?

How to be DRAMA FREE!  Start with yourself.  
via - http://www.workhappynow.com/2011/09/how-to-be-drama-fre-start-with-yourself/

(Gulp.  This hurts.)

Blame Game

It’s easy to blame drama on others.  After all, you’re the good guy in these dynamics; why don’t they get it?  

One of the most difficult challenges for aspiring leaders is to “own their stuff”—to acknowledge that they are equally responsible for creating any situation where drama exists.

Four Energy-draining Personalities

Most drama is caused by four primary energy-draining personalities that sabotage workplace collaboration and synergy:

• Complainer -- The Complainer is the one who is never at fault – not enough time, resources or support. 
• Controller -- The Controller has to be in charge – perhaps micromanaging, sometimes being the bully. 
• Cynic -- The Cynic must be right; often pointing out how others’ ideas will never work and making fun of the person who brought it up.
• Caretaker -- The Caretaker wants to be liked so much that they say yes to everything, which becomes a problem when they bite off more than they can chew and they miss deadlines.

(Which one are YOU?  I am a mix of all of them, but mainly Cynical -- I pick everything apart.  Mr.  MM is a Controller/Complainer.  Unfortunately.  This is a fail on my part -- I'm working on it. -MM)

 How do I help others change? But, we have found that before you can guide others, you have to take inventory of your interaction strengths and the ways you sabotage relationships. The strength inventory is usually easy. It’s fun to appreciate your talent and amazing ability to do what you do. The sabotage inventory is more difficult. It requires the vulnerability and courage to seek others’ candid observations and advice about your behavior.

Watch Yourself

Taking my own advice, I asked myself what my part was in creating the drama. I wondered which Drama personalities I was using that were sabotaging us. I noticed how I had fallen into Complainer. I didn’t have enough time to do everything he asked and his requests were too hard. I realized that I would have micromanaged someone acting the way I was. Then I saw my Cynic. The enthusiasm I had at the beginning of the project had become critical… I saw everything wrong with what we were doing, but didn’t offer any suggestions to change. Once I saw myself in these drama roles, I could shift into taking responsibility – renegotiating our deadlines and making suggestions for how we could change the writing to be better.

By identifying and correcting the four drama roles (Complainer, Controller, Cynic, Caretaker), you are well on your way to eliminating drama. If you want even more clarity, invite your work colleagues, family members, and friends to give you timely, direct feedback.

Quick Drama Reducing Tips

Here is a quick way to start looking at how these drama roles show up for you.  Ask friends and coworkers (or others!):

• Where do you see me complaining? Not taking responsibility for my situation?
• Where do you see me controlling? Taking over and micromanaging?
• Where do you see be being cynical? Discounting others or being sarcastic?
• Where do you seem me care-taking? Rescuing others instead of letting them do things on their own?

Okay.  Maybe it will take some time.  Don't attack me with all of them at once.  LOL.

via - http://www.workhappynow.com/2011/09/how-to-be-drama-fre-start-with-yourself/

Need reminders?  I do.

Here's a nifty list from Drama-Stoppers - LIVING DRAMA FREE

• 1) Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• 2) Keep what’s most important, MOST important... good relationships with family and friends matter MORE than material things.
• 3) Be CAREFUL what you say. Cussing and foul language is mean and nasty.  (I uh...well.)
• 4) No matter how old you are, listen and obey your mom and dad. Show them the RESPECT they deserve.  (Fine.  *pout*)
• 5) Don’t fight/bully people. Violence is NEVER the answer.
• 6) Stay TRUE. Be a person who keeps your word. Don’t cheat on the people you’ve made a COMMITMENT to.
• 7) Stealing isn’t cool. If it doesn’t BELONG to you, don’t take it. If it doesn't BELONG to you and you find it, turn it in.
• 8) Lying and gossiping will get you NOWHERE. Be CAREFUL what you say...
• 9) Don’t be a HATER. Be HAPPY with what YOU have.
• 10) Get enough rest so that your tiredness doesn’t EFFECT your mood and judgment.

 

Dr. Oz - The Gastric Surgery You Should (Maybe not) Be Getting

 

 

Dr. Oz tells us today on his show that there's a Gastric Surgery We Should Be Getting.

*sideways eyeball*  Really, Dr. Oz?  I *know* that I am a few pounds from qualifying for a Lap-Band, but, uh... don't rub it in.

Update - I was totally wrong.  Oz suggests the Gastric Bypass.  He makes a huge sales pitch for the procedure, pulls out a brilliantly happy one-week post op whose diabetes has gone into remission and closes the sale on a "meh" unhappy 10 YEAR post op who had some regain.

This was a mini-infomercial.  

There was NOT NEARLY enough information regarding all the options for bariatric surgery, if any, and ZERO information regarding ANY OF THE POSSIBLE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF THE GASTRIC BYPASS.

Shame on you, Oz.

PS.  Now I know also how to "sleep my way thin."  Seriously?

Original post --

The clip suggests there is an underused method of preventing and curing lots of the co-morbid conditions of obesity, and that the surgery can be done on lower weight individuals.  The clip shows images of three options:  Gastric Banding, Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  Not shown:  the duodenal switch, which I assume would be the most underused at least here in the United States.   The clip makes it sound like the option could be banding -- because of the suggestion of using this surgery on lower BMI patients.  Hopefully, Dr. Oz gives all procedures a mention, and explains the realistic risks and benefits of all.

Check out Dr. Oz today -- it's on at various times -- check your local TV schedule.

More protein, better flavor?

Ad text reads, "you talk, we listen, more protein, better flavor!"  I hope so.  

Proteinex is a high-protein supplement that you take in tiny two tablespoon doses.  

Shall we give it a go?  

• Free samples of Proteinex
• More clear protein products

THROW YOUR SCALE. Throw mine. Please.

I am several days into journaling my food intake.  

This is what I do when I get on the scale and scream -- I stop, drop and immediately start writing down WHAT IS GOING IN MY MOUTH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

I recently gained weight, after maintaining for what felt like forever.

My last legit weigh in that I posted was in the summer.

Woman’s donation matches weight loss | Breaking News | PE.com - Press-Enterprise

TEMECULA: Woman’s donation matches weight loss | Breaking News | PE.com - Press-Enterprise.

Hmm, do we know this woman?  <g>

 

Will you?  Donate a food item for EACH POUND LOST?  

I will. 

Join Eggy.

 

$3000 Wellesse New Healthy You Sweepstakes! Help the OAC!

Enter now for your chance to win everything you need to help you on your way to losing weight from Wellesse!  

 

This is an AWESOME contest, GET ON THIS!  Quickly!  (Like, now, please.)

• The Grand Prize includes a Treadmill or Elliptical or 
• Fitness club membership
• Plus a Zumba DVD to melt away the pounds
•  And a BodyMedia® FIT system to measure your progress. 
• And, don't forget Wellesse supplements to get the essential nutrients you need every day!

 

There are four easy ways to enter:

 

 Click here to register now

 Visit Wellesse on Facebook and follow the on screen links including choosing to "Like" Wellesse.

 You can also visit the Wellesse Twitter page and follow the onscreen links 
including choosing to become a "follower" and re-tweeting.

1. Become a follower of the @Wellesse brand on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Wellesse.
2. Retweet this message: Achieve a New Year New You with the get healthy grand prize from @Wellesse worth $3,000! Follow and RT to enter: http://ow.ly/8zjAL
3. Between January 19, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. PDT and February 1, 2012 at Noon PDT and you will be automatically entered in the Giveaway.

 Like to blog? Then visit the Wellesse Vital to Health and Wellness blog and follow instructions to enter.

Plus!  Wellesse Will Help Support the Obesity Action Coalition!  

Wellesse will donate up $.25 to OAC for every new Facebook Like or Twitter Follower up to $1,000!

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is an IRS registered 501(c)3 National non-profit organization dedicated to educating and advocating on behalf of the more than 93 million Americans affected by obesity.  To learn more about OAC and join today, please visit www.obesityaction.org or call (800) 717-3117.

Go enter now for your chance to win everything you need to help you on your way to losing weight from Wellesse!  

 

Hit the slopes on MM - Family Four Pack to Killington Resort, VT

Allow me to live vicariously through you?  Go skiing.  On me and Killington Resort.  A family four-pack of tickets to Killington could be yours!

Killington Resort, known as “The Beast of the East,” is open for the 2011-2012 winter season and ready for skiers and riders! Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Killington’s elevation delivers optimal temperatures for snowfall, whether from Mother Nature or made by 2,000 snow guns across the resort. Terrain is expertly groomed, providing riders of all ability levels a choice of diverse skiing areas, including wide-open or narrow runs, moguls, steeps, and 16 tree skiing areas. Killington also offers multiple terrain parks for snowboarders and freeskiers, as well as off-mountain activities like the all-new, lift served Killington Tubing Park; dog sledding; cross country skiing; snowshoeing; ice skating; and snowmobiling.

To enter for the family four-pack of tickets -

• Please tweet @KillingtonMtn and @meltingmama
• Share this post on Facebook
• Make SURE to leave a comment below.  

Thanks and good luck!  

The Day The LOLcats Died - SOPA - PIPA

I'm going black for #STOPSOPA

Tomorrow, I'm blacking out my site in support of STOPSOPA.  

 

This bill would establish a system for taking down websites that the Justice Department determines to be dedicated to copyright infringment.

The DoJ or the copyright owner would be able to commence a legal action against any site they deem to have "only limited purpose or use other than infringement," and the DoJ would be allowed to demand that search engines, social networking sites and domain name services block access to the targeted site.

It would also make unauthorized web streaming of copyrighted content a felony with a possible penalty up to five years in prison.

This bill combines two separate Senate bills -- S.968 and S.978 -- into one big House bill.

• http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/show

Wikipedia -

Opponents say that it violates the First Amendment,^[7] is Internet censorship,^[8] will cripple the Internet,^[9] and will threaten whistle-blowing and other free speech actions.^[7][10]

Opponents have initiated a number of protest actions, including petition drives, boycotts of companies that support the legislation, and planned service blackouts by major Internet companies scheduled to coincide with the next Congressional hearing on the matter.

Join me.

Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacement in Chicken Broth

 

Savory protein for the win.

Well, hello there protein.  How have you been?

 I'm in that precarious spot that I seem to find in the winter.

Hibernation mode.  (It happens.)

I have gained a few pounds -- about 5-7 lbs -- which triggers my internal post WLS alarm that SCREAMS "CUT IT OUT!  You know better, woman!"  Weight gain sparks me to pay attention to what I am doing each day.  

What have I DONE to cause this?  What has slipped into my routine that wasn't there before?  

It's pretty clear this time, but I refuse to allow it to get out of control.  (That is another post.)

What do I DO about it?  OMG! SCREAM?!  Freak out on Facebook!?  No.  For me, cutting back a little is easy-peasy.  I may replace a few excess calories with protein shakes -- for one thing.  (See also:  biting off my husband's head for the baking of the sweet-carbs!)

Today I cracked open a container of Bariatric Advantage's High Protein Meal Replacement in Chicken Broth flavor.

WAIT.  KEEP READING.  Don't you go clicking away 'cause you done think hot protein is ewwyucky!  You might have had a Bad Experience With Another Savory Protein Brand, but hear me out.

It's good.  Really.  

I opened the container, assuming I'd be too distracted with the protein smell to go ahead with the taste-test, but that didn't happen.  Score one.  The protein powder is a very light yellow color with specks of what appears to be the tiniest herbs you have ever seen.  It smells like chicken boullion powder or cubes, and a bit of whey protein.  My nose was not offended, I carried on.

I added two scoops of the powder for 150 calories and 27 grams of protein, to a BlenderBottle near-filled with water warmed in the microwave.

 

 

 I allowed the water to cool just slightly -- in case of protein malfunction.  The water was nice and warm when I added the protein and BlenderBall.  I shook it very, very well.  Again, a reason to NOT OVERHEAT YOUR WATER OR YOUR PROTEIN.  

 

What resulted was a slightly creamy chicken protein soup.  Due to the fact that it's a protein replacement -- it's not entirely clear like typical chicken BROTH.  It tastes just the same:  creamy chicken boullion.  There is zero aftertaste of protein, and I am very pleased.

To be honest - however - I had prepared a little bit of chicken boullion to ADD to this protein replacement JUST IN CASE I did not enjoy it.  (Because, I haven't always had a good experience with savory proteins -- and I do not like to waste.)  

I added a touch of the broth after a few sips, and it was A FREAKING AMAZING with it.  That said, I am a salt-fiend.  I adore the creamy, buttery flavor of a boullion cube, and that mixed with the protein, kicks arse.

I love you chicken high protein meal replacement.  

The details -- you get 27 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in one two-scoop serving of this meal replacement:

Nutrient Amount % DV Calories 150     Protein 27 g 54% Carbohydrate 8 g 3% Fiber 5 g 20% Sugars 0.5 g   Fat 1.5 g 3% Saturated Fat 1 g 5% Cholesterol <5 mg 1% Potassium 180 mg 5% Sodium 1300 mg 54% Vitamin A     50% Vitamin D     50% Vitamin E     50% Vitamin K     50% Vitamin C     50% B1     50% B2     50% B6     50% B12     50% Niacin     50% Biotin     50% Pantothenic Acid     50% Folic Acid     50% Calcium     15% Copper     50% Iodine     50% Iron     35% Chromium     50% Magnesium     20% Phosphorus     15% Zinc     50% Selenium     50% Manganese     50% Molybdenum     50%

Nutrition information is per 1 serving.

Bariatric Advantage says --

The Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacement soup comes in a 21 serving tub with a measured scoop to make accurate dispensing easy. Each 150 calorie serving provides a full 27 grams of protein, with only 7 grams of carbohydrate (of which 4 grams are fiber, and less than a gram is sugar) and 1.5 grams of fat. One hundred percent of the protein is from a high quality whey protein isolate (There is no soy protein, only a small amount of soy lecithin to mask aftertaste). Fortified with between 15 and 50 percent of the DV for 23 essential vitamins and minerals, this comforting soup makes a perfect meal replacement for those seeking to control calories.

They're right.  It's good.  It's good for us.  

I would certainly give it a try if you're seeking a savory option to your sweet or fruity shakes.  This product is perfect for pre-operative eating plans, and early post op.  It's way better than a can of cream of chicken soup.

• Product - Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacement - Chicken Broth
• From - Bariatric Advantage
• Price - $2.85 per serving
• Pros - 27 grams of protein, 150 calories, 5 grams of fiber... in a comforting, savory broth blend.
• Cons -  
  
• Rating - Pouchworthy, ^MM

 

Paula Deen. I will not snark. I will not snark.

Paula.  Paula.  Paula.  Did you know that weight loss surgery, particularly the roux-en-y gastric bypass, is a widely-used treatment for Type II Diabetes?  /end ad

How did we not see this coming?