Restaurant Reflections

This past weekend I was blessed with TWO date nights with my husband. These are rare occasions so we try to make the best of each night that we have for just the two of us.

Friday night consisted of dinner with another couple at one of our favorite restaurants where I was able to order a scrumptious chicken breast with a side salad. Dinner consisted of good conversation and laughter followed by a nice long ride on our motorcycle!

Saturday night was an unexpected night alone and we went to an Italian restaurant which I have not visited since surgery 2 1/2 years ago! I was a bit nervous because when I think Italian I instantly think "Pasta and creamy white sauce full of calories."

While we were sitting in the restaurant I was astounded by the over sized plates of pasta being delivered along with the endless salad and bread sticks. The site of the large quantity of food was almost sickening to my belly. I was reminded of life before Bariatric surgery and how much food I consumed. Before surgery that plate of pasta drowned in white creamy sauce would be devoured along with the endless bread sticks and salad. During the consumption of the food I would feel quite euphoric and not want to stop. An hour later I would be miserable, lethargic and wondering why I put myself through such misery.

To my surprise the appetizer and entree menu offered more than just pasta filled dishes. I ordered off the appetizer menu and to my husband ordered a stuffed chicken breast item off of the dinner menu.

I again am happy to say we both ate off of each others dinners and both took leftovers home.

Once again weight loss surgery has opened my eyes to portion control and how much food we as Americans consume daily!

I'm blessed to have my bariatric tool along with my prime piece of real estate and plan to continue down the path to a healthier life style!

Friday's Quote

People often say that motivation doesn't last.

Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.

~ Zig Ziglar

Quote for today!!

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in Harmony!

~Mahatma Gandhi

Quote for the day..

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

~Helen Keller

Fun in the sun!!

It's Spring Break 2010 and we are on our first vacation since I had my RNY surgery in October 2007! It's been an amazing trip so far and I seriously don't want it to end..

Somethings I've enjoyed so far:

Taking endless walks on the beach with my husband, hand n hand wearing shorts and not feeling exhausted.

Walking up and down the strip for miles, not realizing how far we've been and never once did the sweat pour down my forehead, my heart race because of being overworked, my feet/back ache from walking or did I have to stop and sit down.

Playing for countless hours with my son at the pool and on the beach.

Taking a morning stroll everyday, smelling the ocean air and having the over all feeling of elation because I can do it.

(Notice a pattern here?)

Yesterday I watched my mom who is a 2x Breast Cancer survivor receive her first tattoo! It is the Pink Ribbon and it says Survivor and the years she was diagnosed! Helps remind me how precious life is and is an added memory to our long over due vacation.

Feeling the sand between my toes, sun on my face, wind in my hair and the sound of the waves is very therapeutic for me.

Instant stress relief! I'm a beach baby and can't seem to get enough.

This is what I call a little slice of Heaven for Traci !! :)

Vacation after surgery is a bit different for me not only physically/mentally but also socially like everyday life.

Remember the days of going on vacation and saying to yourself "I'm on vacation I can eat whatever I want, I deserve it" HA... I don't know where that originated from and why we always thought that vacations were the exception to the rule and that it was OK to eat crap all week long. Surgery didn't change those thoughts in my mind, they still come just like before surgery, the urge is still there and I know that I'm the only one who can control that behavior.

Being relaxed, on vacation and out of my daily routine opens the door for easy access to poor choices. Am I perfect?? NO but am I doing my best to plan as much as possible and make good choices?? YES.. Just like everyday at home I have to remind myself what is important to ME and to put myself first!

Vacation this year is focused on how much relaxation I can get, enjoying time with my friends and family and just breathing! It's not about what I'm going to eat!!

WOW what a difference for someone who is a food addict!