All I have to do is wake up six more times, ensure I drop the required weight, continue to not smoke, continue to not cheat and continue going to the gym every day.   Seems easy enough, right?  Well, that is what I keep telling myself.  Over and over again.  Then I noticed the Bank Of America tower in downtown Miami was no longer blue — it was in fact purple!  No more blue skies!  Things MUST be looking up, right?  (Photo from tonight.)

Just got home from the gym, 2nd night this week and scheduled for every night.  My trainer and I both agreed that an all-session bike ride would probably kill me and bore him, so he’s just been doing his regular routine, just pushing me more — and making me sweat!  While he keeps a careful eye on my heart monitor, he does push and doesn’t let up.  But then again, I see what some trainers are making people do at the gym, and it’s freaking crazy!  But, back to me.

Okay, so I’ve actually not wanted to smoke.  Chalk it up to the Wellbutrin and will I guess, but it’s all about the end goal.  I’m getting pretty bored with my ice tea Crystal Light, Jell-O and shakes.  The strawberry ones (which I didn’t want in the first place but they gave me anyway) are tolerable, but not enjoyable.  I’ve convinced myself they are, sometimes adding a few ice cubes, or throwing in the blender with a handful of ice for a real treat. 

This morning I was down 11 of my requisite 17 pounds to lose before my weigh-in next Monday.  Tonight, that # is at 10, but I didn’t have any Jell-O’s until right now today, so there hasn’t been much in my system, I’m sure by morning progress continues to be made.  Cardio every night has got to make it better, so I’m upbeat and confident.

Tonight my daily Amazon shipments arrived and I was excited to get the knock off Magic Bullet, it seems great and I’m going to test it tonight when I have my last shake.  Vanilla Shake it is for this special occasion.  Wish I could throw a couple raspberries or strawberries in there, but I won’t.  (But doesn’t it sound good?!!?) 

I also got a new set of glass ramekin dishes (I didn’t know they had a name other than short white crock dish thingy they generally serve crème brulee from.) each holds 4 oz., just the right amount of food I will be able to eat post-op.  2 ounce containers are on the way — it’s all going to be about portion control.

To demonstrate the amount, a quarter-pounder at McDonalds it the total sum of all food for one meal.  Just the meat part of the #3 combo. Not the bun, lettuce or anything, just the meat.  It is going to be a big adjustment.

My friend asked me tonight: if I could deal with just these shakes every day, why not just keep doing the same thing and forget about the surgery.  Well, I have had the same thoughts in various ways throughout this process.  Truth is, it’s going to be harder to endure the procedure along with everything else, so does he have a point? 

I don’t think so.  I’m making a bigger commitment than I have ever before in my life by having gastric bypass surgery.  I can lose a bunch of weight and bounce right back up if I don’t use the tools put in place through this procedure.  I could blow it all.  I’m just focused on the fact that WLS provides me with a dramatically reduced area in which to “wiggle.”  If there is a shortcut, way around or more efficient means of doing something, I’m the first one to take the shortest route in many cases.  What I needed was a way for my wiggle room to be removed. I needed a physical restriction in order to ensure compliance.  This way, there’s few options.

Now to catch up on The Event and have another great day tomorrow!