RussH

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So this morning I decided to take the bike to work...heck it looks beautiful outside. I slipped on my gear, the first thing I noticed was that the pant legs were huge on me. I had to cinche up the straps just to make sure they stayed on, but even then they threatened to fall off of me. I didnt want to wear the jacket this morning so I stowed it in the saddle bags, but I did put on my vest.  All I can say is DAMN, this time last year that vest was a bit snug on me and that was including using the vest chains (+6") in the front. I didnt have the chains attached and I just snapped the snaps and it was huge on me. I could probably fit my girlfriend in my vest and still be able to snap the snaps. Yes, she is that small... she wears a double zero(00) in clothing.

Sighs....now not only does my clothing not fit, neither does my riding gear. I should just go naked.

Well two weeks ago today I left hot and dry Santa Fe for an even hotter town 3 hrs south, Roswell. I wasnt on a hunt for aliens, I was heading down to meet up with a caravan of vehicles and people about to head 100 miles west to relax for 3 days in Cloudcroft. We set off for Cloudcroft the next morning and ariving around 1300hrs, several people set off to errect numerous tents. I set up my tent in double time and then proceed to find some food.  My now girlfriend, rode up with her friend and brother, she gets horrible motion sickness so she was a bit loopy from the Dramamine but still managed to cuddle up next to me. We had decided that we would play it cool, as we were trying to keep the interest underwraps.

We all got the bed that night, me on my air matress, sheet set and 3 blankets. The friggen thing deflated half way through the night, it said it was rated for over 450lbs...I was not a happy camper. We all got up the next day and went into town as we were invited to The Lodge at Cloudcroft for a tour and information about the local ghost that roams the halls of the lodge.  The lodge has been visited by some famous people in its over 100years in operation,  most notable was Judy Garland and Clark Gable in the 1940s.

We went back to camp and ate some food and Pauline got sick, so I ended up taking care of her.  I was also the site's emergency medical person as I carried my gear and I was in radio contact with fire/ems/law. I think because I took care of her, we grew closer and well we decided it was cool and that we didnt have to hide.  I would be sitting down and she would sit between my legs, leaning against me and resting her head on my chest. We hardly left each other's side for the rest of the weekend except, no she didnt sleep in my tent though I had a ton of extra space where she could have. 

That Sunday we broke camp and headed back to Roswell, I kidnapped Pauline and we went back separately from the rest of the group. We talked and stuff it was great.   We got to Roswell and decided to get some food and went to Chili's...the hostess asked how many, I said 2. She pulled the menus and then as she was walking to the table, she picked up a child's menu also. I looked at Pauline and laughed as we took our seats, the hostess thought that Pauline was a kid.  I can understand as she is only 4'9'' and 80lbs soaking wet. I took her home after that and it took an hour for me to actually leave for my home as I realllllly didnt want to leave.

I have some pics in an album on here of the camping trip.

The local forest ranger district decided in their infinite wisdom to start a control burn...oh rather a prescribed burn.  I called them today to find out about the fire and they said oh well its under control and is ok. I asked why no one was notified of the lighting of this fire and they said well the information officer is on vacaion.

Top it all off it is what is called a red flag day...meaning there are extreme fire conditions present and that there are to be NO unnecessary fires.

Go look at the pics in my album called fire.

http://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/852362/albums/76185/fire1.jpg

Well I weighed myself this morning and found that I have only 17lbs to go to hit one of my many goals. In 17 pounds I will have lost  100lbs from surgery. Whoohoo.

My main goal still stands though to be at or under 200lbs by Halloween.

So before the surgery I wore 5X shirts. While at work I would be in scrubs of 5X.  Well today I left home without my scrubs...yeah I took the bike and I though I had a set here at work.  That wasnt the case as all I could find was a pair of pants. I walked over to clean linen and rummaged around in there trying to find a set of 3x or 4x as that is what I was fitting into now. They didnt have any and I was like crap what am I to do?

They had some 2X shirts and I was like yeah right that wont fit me, I am to big but lets at least try.  I slipped it on over my shirt and its snug but it still fits.

WHOOHOO I HAVE MADE IT TO A 2X SHIRT!!!

I just thought that I would share that great news with you. Oh and I am still stuck at 80lbs, this blows I only lost 10lbs total last month so for my two month total it is 80.

Granted your milage will vary by the quality and size of steak. I prefer chuck tenders as they are about 3oz and eating just that would fill me up, and since I am still loosing I dont want to screw it up by starting to consume alcohol. This will allow me to enjoy the flavor and a good piece of meat. I found this recipe and wanted to share it.


All Recipes.com: Irish Whiskey Flat Iron Steaks
Serving 1  (Heck I am single, why should I make and store plus reheated steaks suck)

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2-1/4 teaspoons Irish whiskey
• 2-1/4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon minced green onion
• 3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• 1 (8 ounce) flat iron steaks

DIRECTIONS This recipe's Ingredients were scaled to yield a new amount. The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield of 4 steaks.

1. Combine the olive oil, whiskey, soy sauce, green onion, garlic, pepper, parsley, thyme, and rosemary in a large, sealable plastic bag; seal and shake to mix. Add the steaks to the marinade. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Remove steaks from marinade; discard the marinade. Allow the steaks to come to room temperature before cooking.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
3. Cook the steaks until they are beginning to firm and are hot and slightly pink in the center, 6 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Cover the meat with two layers of aluminum foil and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information Servings Per Recipe: 1

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 701

• Total Fat: 61.4g
• Cholesterol: 102mg
• Sodium: 742mg
• Total Carbs: 3g
•     Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
• Protein: 27.4g

Well I had my official one month follow-up with my surgeon in LA yesterday. The day didnt go very well as I was held up at the TSA check point in the Albuquerque Sunport, missed my flight by about 2 minutes, cuz friggen US Airways closed the gate door like 10-15 minutes early. Had to buy another flight on another carrier, I get to Phoenix and Southwest  deplanes me about 2km from the US Airways gate (opposite ends of the air terminal). I get to LAX and I thought my problems were over, I was supposed meet up with Ocean, Leslie and Sandy from the SCADS group before my appointment, but because of illness and real life issues that didnt happen. Oh well next time.

I get to USC and decide to get something to eat as I had eaten yet. I get a forbidden item for the hell of it, onion rings. I took one bite and I was like darn these are crunchy until I realized some of it was sharp. I ran my tongue over my teeth and found that I had in fact broken a molar. I gingerly finish eating and walk over to Dr. Crookes office and my appointment.

I saw Dr. Crookes and he was pleased beyond belief to see me and the amount of weight I had lost since the surgery.  He even asked if i had any goals, I told him that I did and that it was to be at my goal (200lbs) by Halloween. He said it was a nice goal but some what unrealistic because of the amount I have still to go.  Got back to the airport and bought an upgraded flight ( earlier) as I really didnt like the idea of getting in around midnight even though I was staying the night at my sister's house.  I got back to her house after 10p and laid down on the couch, set my alarm for 5a, but didnt wake up until 615a. So I was an hour late today.

I decided to jump on the scale since I am at work...yeah yeah yeah i know, Russ you should be resting and recovering. When one has depleted all avail time off; sick and vacation, I had to come to work.  On Monday, while at Dr. Crookes' office, I weighed myself and I was ~406.1lbs, today I stepped on the scale and couldnt believe my eyes, 386.3. I didnt believe the results from the scale thinking it was out of calibration, but when the second scale said the same weight I was shocked.  Thats a total of 46lbs since surgery.

Well I had my post op visit with Dr. Crookes, he was happy to see my marked improovement and my general good spirits. He listened to my lungs and checked my incision and he said both looked good.  He told me that he created my stomach to be about 3oz and that I should have it about 5oz by Xmas.

My mom, step-father and sister came out to check on me because they were worried about my condition. My mom and step-father were called back to NM right away and left my sister with me. My sister and I traveled home on Amtrak's Southwestern Chief, I had purchased accomodations so I wouldnt be sitting in the coach class chairs all the way home. My sister decided in her infinite wisdom to upgrade our accomodations from 2 chairs that fold down into beds to a room that can sleep 3-4 and had our own restroom/shower unit.

I am on Levaquin and Vancomycin for the pneumonia and alot of heparin to start breaking down the clots. I have started to really remove the nasty pneumonia type junk by coughing filling the kidney shaped bowls or emisis basins. I was transfered back up to 7N and I was given a special new bed with an air matress. On Sunday, I was up to 30,000units of heparin every 10hrs, thats alot not to mention lab and pharmacy couldnt catch my ptt, pt, and inr values. Still a little short of breath, the diaphram area is still sore, and I am still tired. The doctors say I can go home, Lovenox shots and Zithromax suspension.