Feeling Down

Sorry for disappearance act. On 12/01/2010 I got another fill of .6 ccs for a total of 12.6 cc's in my 14 cc band. My weight has plateaued again (338-341 lbs), because I been lacking in my workouts. I been having trouble with my left knee, so today I decided to visit my orthopedic doctor . He told me that I have arthritis in my left knee!! Due to all that weight I been carrying for years, it caused some damage to my knee. I need to do some quad-strengthening excersies and continue to lose weight.

I am not surpised...

Still Alive

Hello everyone. I am still alive and well. I been very busy between work and my personal life and my weight is STUCK between 344-342 lbs. Tomorrow is a new day!!

Curtis Stone Biggest Loser - 100-calorie Cupcake Recipe

site: http://www.examiner.com/weight-loss-in-national/curtis-stone-biggest-loser-raspberry-cupcake-recipe

Here's an update from last night's Biggest Loser cupcake episode. Chef Curtis Stone showed the contestants how to make a 100-calorie cupcake recipe. NBC provided a cupcake recipe but its recipe had a banana frosting. We investigated and now have the raspberry frosting recipe, courtesy of NBC:

Makes about 14 cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 5 organic egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the raspberry frosting

• 1 cup nonfat cream cheese, at room temp
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• Fresh raspberries to garnish

Method

• Preheat the oven to 325F.
• Place the egg whites in a large bowl and using a handheld mixer whip the whites on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until the whites begin to lighten up and hold their shape.
• Increase speed to high and whip in the salt and honey until the whites hold a soft peak, then add the vanilla extract.
• Fold in the yogurt.
• In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the flour and baking powder and mix well.
• Sift the dry ingredients into the egg whites a little at a time, gently folding them in with a rubber spatula.
• Once fully incorporated, scoop the batter into cupcake tins lined with cupcake papers.
• Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have colored and gently spring back when pushed with a finger.
• Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes at room temp.
• While the cupcakes are baking, puree the raspberries in a blender until smooth.
• Pass through a fine mesh strainer into a small saucepot and cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the puree reduces slightly.
• Cool completely.
• Place the cream cheese into a medium mixing bowl and fold the puree into the cream cheese until fully mixed.
• Once cupcakes are cool, spread a little of the berry frosting over the cupcakes, garnish each with one raspberry and serve.

5 Day Pouch Test Challenge

10/07/2010 348.2 lbs - Day 2

10/08/2010 347.2 lbs - Day 3

10/09/2010 344.2 lbs - Day 4

10/10/2010 343.2 lbs - Day 5

10/11/2010 343.4 lbs - 4.4 lbs lost -The 5 Day Pouch Test Works !!!.

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Days One & Two: Liquid Protein - Low-carb protein shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free gelatin and pudding.

Day 3: Soft Protein - Canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy.

Day 4: Firm Protein - Ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut.

Day 5: Solid Protein -White meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game

One Year with my LAP-BAND® !!

Wow, how time flies!! With wonderful support from my friends and family, in 09/22/2009 (10:00 AM), I had LAP-BAND® surgery. I was 409.8 lbs that day and was very anxious and ecstatic at the same time. Today, I am 345.6 pounds, 64.2 lbs lighter and feeling great! I still have a long way to meet my Final goal at 189.5 pounds. I know with determination I will meet my goal.

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enable us to count our blessings. - Eric Hoffer

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. -Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)