Life around California

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the late post and mild gap. I went to Colorado for a quick visit to come back and learn I needed Iron Infusions. When the doctor tells you that you are pale white and you have a saturation of 4% when it should be 50% it means business.  With every pregnancy, every surgery comes all the year later journeys and experiences. This was a first for me. During my pregnancy with A. I never required infusions, however with B it seems my body is just giving up at times when I need it to stay strong. So I experienced 3 weeks of iron infusions and boy was that fun. Here is how they go for anyone curious about an Iron infusion during pregnancy or after Gastric Bypass. 

You arrive, they verify your info. Take you to a room, you get comfy and then they medicate you. I got tylenol and benadryl. The benadryl is suppose to help with any reaction you may have. You get told there is a medication similar to an epi-pen in the med room should you have a reaction, which is extremely extremely rare. Then the fun begins, you get an IV. then you get temps, vitals etc taken every 15 minutes for the 2-4 hours your infusion goes. Expect lots of beeping and no alone time, haha. After all this is done, they start the infusion, it takes a 15 minute monitoring constantly to ensure proper flow, no reactions etc. All I can say from this journey is ask for an extra blanket because you will get chilly and prepare to be sleepy and dose between vital checks from the benadryl! But it is pain free, and actually I have been free from eating ice for several weeks, I noticed a change within 1 week and got my energy back. I was however recently told by my OB not to consider any further children without infusions prior to pregnancy and during. But that is okay with us as we are done with children! 

Life has been hetic in our household otherwise, A is attempting to potty train, learning new words and getting into all the trouble in the world. This child has attitude like crazy. I always wonder why she has such a huge meltdown but I think it has to do with her limited words and becoming frustrated that Mommy just doesnt understand. I am busy in school working hard on finishing Chemistry and A&P 2 so I can apply to RN programs finally. And of course the hubby is busy with Army work. 

Holidays are upon us and that also means B's arrival. My last check up indicated no contractions, no issues, and we did a blood draw for my CBC to see if my iron has improved since the infusions. I am only up 18lbs from my pre pregnancy weight and I go back next week for a membrane stripping and 38 week check up! I am eager to see what my newest little bundle of joy will look like and what personality she will have, but I am also dreading leaving A and childbirth and homework as my semester doesn't end till after she's here! Anyways, Thought I would take a moment of my night and share my infusion update news, and maybe help someone else who may be curious. Have a great week!

Xo

Krista

Fat Shaming, My Thoughts....

I wanted to take time today to write a blog that I felt was very a very important subject to me. You probably have seen it often in the news lately and women and men are taking to Twitter and Facebook about it as well. That topic would be: "FAT SHAMING". This is a touchy subject so I am approaching it with caution but at the same time I am writing from my heart and my views on it. 

Fat Shaming is described as "A term made by obese people to avoid the responsibility to actually take proper care of their body and instead victimize themselves by pretending they’re discriminated like an ethnic group." (http://definithing.com/fat-shaming/) 

Fat Shaming and taking acceptance of your body are 2 different things. We as Americans lately it seems to want to take anything and turn it into a way of being racist, hateful and so on. We want to be a victim in some light or fashion. We need to wake up! This is not okay. WE do NOT need to teach our sons and daughters that it is okay to morbidly obese. 

When I grew up as a little girl I was overweight. I wasn't happy being overweight, unable to keep up with fit friends and I knew my life was unhealthy. My parents didn't support my weight but they also didn't look down on me negatively. What they did do was provide me with resources and chances to try and fix myself. They loved me as ME, not for being FAT or being SKINNY but because of who I AM! 

By Fat Shaming we are supporting that life style instead of encouraging our children that we need to do our best to be healthy, to be active and to work on ourselves. I am not saying there is anything wrong with my daughter having more weight than she should, but it is my job as a mom to encourage her lifestyle and being healthy. Not to encourage her to continue to gain weight and continue to be at health's door step for continuous health problems. There is a difference between being HEALTHY and being UNHEALTHY. Between making excuses "Fat Shaming" and accepting your body for who you really are! 

I am taking a stand in my own life to not support FAT SHAMING but to encourage body acceptance. Accept yourself for who you are, you are not a victim, you can change anything you want to change but it begins with YOU! I will teach A and my unborn child that just because they may be a little heavier, they may have to eat a little different to get back on track, that being outdoors with their father and I and being active is not only good for them emotionally, but also physically and mentally. I will teach them that they can love who they are on the inside because on the outside we are ALWAYS changing. The key as a parent is to provide the necessary tools for our children! And being there and being a ROLE MODEL for our children! 

I know what it's like to be judged, to be made fun of, to not fit in because I was too FAT to wear what the other girls wore, or I wasn't pretty enough. But Today I can say, Those girls that judged me, that bashed me, that looked down on me, 50% of them reversed roles with me. I am now that fit mom, that healthy mom and they aren't and I don't sit here and laugh at them. I encourage them as I wish they had encouraged me. I have hopes that they will find the path back to being healthy, to loving themselves, because in someones face you can always see the hurt, the sadness, the urge to change.

I hope you understand my views on fat shaming and body acceptance, with that being said I am going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes about body acceptance.

"I think it's so important for girls to love themselves and to treat their bodies respectfully."

Ariana Grande

Much love, 
Krista XO

Protein review of Jay Robb

What a day it has been! Preparing for my daughter's 1st birthday tomorrow and a party next weekend. I wanted to take a moment of my time and write a review on Jay Robb. So here it goes.
Everyone's looking for a great protein shake. One that taste great, is price acceptable and one that fits their dietary requirements. I was looking for a protein shake that has low carbs, no sugars and tasted good.
Well Jay robbs all are made with Stevia, No artificial sugars, etc. It is made with Whey Isolate which is what most people should drink when looking for a protein shake. Soy is not good for ones body.
I mixed it with  12Oz Almond Milk Unsweetened Vanilla, It is so smooth, not chalky and mixed well. I let it set for a minute and dissolve from the foam. I loved the taste, Its actually the first protein shake that doesn't taste horrible, or leave a nasty after taste and one I actually enjoyed drinking. I tried chocolate and it tasted like Chocolate milk! YUM! It only has 1 carb, 0 sugars mixed with Almond milk that didn't increase my carb count or sugar count! YAY!
I will be ordering more on Monday to use for my workout. The only downfall is you do not get a lot for your money.
I love how simple it mixed, the taste was great and the feeling of being full was even more rewarding! One for the win! Watch for more protein shake reviews!

Disclosure: I am not compenstated in any way by Jay Robb or any other products you will find within my blogs.  

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog. Today is a day I have chosen to begin a blog to not only be accountable but to encourage and support others in their own journeys to weight loss. So I want to begin with a little about me so we can all relate and share and be on this journey together.

I am a 26 year old momma to a beautiful almost 1 year old girl. I have always battled with my weight loss and struggled to even conceive my daughter after weight loss.

Details of where I have came from:

In 2007 I hit 280 lbs and continued to grow till in 2010 when I was 302 lbs. In 2010 I decided it was time to take control of my life and I chose to go through many monitored diets and programs. All were failed attempts and I continued to grow. In February of 2011. I was approved for Gastric Bypass Surgery with a Surgery date of 4-11-11.
On the morning of my Surgery I was engaged to a man that told me I would die during the surgery and not improve my life, that I would always be fat. That morning I weighed in at 284 lbs.

Day of Surgery

I made it through my surgery, and survived the next several months of loosing the much needed weight. I found confidence in myself, and found out who I really was.

302 lbs to 284 lbs to 176 lbs

 I ended up going through a divorce. Partying way too much, Falling in love again and ending up pregnant with my daughter after months of fertility drugs. The fertility drugs caused me to gain weight and of course any prior fat girl then begins to battle the mentality of being fat again. 

40 Weeks Pregnant (25 lbs Gained) 210 lbs

Thankfully after the birth of my daughter I lost my weight quickly. I was up to 194 lbs on her date of pregnancy confirmation, got down to 180 lbs, went back up to 210 lbs on date of delivery, but to 194 lbs 2 weeks post delivery. I went through another failed relationship and ended engagement and knew it was time to make a change. I then began to work out, eat right and believe in myself again to where I am currently back to 178 lbs. 

178 lbs size 10

The purpose I have for this blog is that I want to become even more fit. I am not happy with my results thus far. I have a beautiful daughter, have went through 1 divorce, 1 failed engagement and I am currently preparing for a wedding to the man of my dreams. I want to be that fit momma that can chase her daughter, encourage eating habits that are healthy and most of all feel great and confident about myself. 

Disclosure: I am not compensated in any way for  any products you will find within my blogs.  I am writing of my own personal experience, opinions and reviews.