March 2004 Surgery Date
    JoyCook’s Posts
    Post Date 1/13/08 5:20 am
    Topic: RE: A Really Rough Day

    It may not be the calorie count but the content. Macaroni is high in simple carbs. Try to increase the proportion of protein without increasing the calories. The protein will satisfy longer. This is not easy at all! Joy
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    Post Date 1/13/08 5:17 am
    Topic: RE: vitamins?

    Be sure and retest. Some people only absorb the sublingual tablets--others have to do the shots. I'm one of the latter bunch. It is not a big deal--just have to remember it! Joy
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    Post Date 1/13/08 5:15 am
    Topic: RE: I need advice-

    Sharon, it sounds like you are doing great. I know several of our WLS group have indeed had babies since surgery, but I can't give you any advice. There is however a forum on this site devoted to pregnancy after WLS. You should be able to find a lot of information there. Click FORUMS at the top of this page, and you should be able to find it. Best of luck to you! Joy
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    Post Date 1/12/08 11:54 am
    Topic: RE: Curiouser and Curiouser

    You go girl! I need to be there with you and wish I wanted it enough. For now, I am cutting off sugar cold turkey. Small steps!
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    Post Date 1/11/08 4:25 am
    Topic: RE: trying not so hard but trying

    No wisdom here. If I were close enough, Id come over and help you eat those cookies... I'm just that kind of friend! Joy
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    Post Date 1/11/08 4:21 am
    Topic: RE: Easy Chicken Recipe

    Have you ever tried spaghetti squa**** is a great pasta substitute!
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    Post Date 1/11/08 4:18 am
    Topic: RE: Curiouser and Curiouser

    I know why you are hungry all the time. Same reason I am. You are hungry because of your carb consumption, particularly sugar. You are eating M&Ms because you are hungry, which causes a quick rise in blood sugar, followed by a precipitous drop (= hunger). This effectively keeps us eating about every 30 min to an hour. Its what I call the EAT/SLEEP/EAT cycle. I live there. What is sadder than knowing that, is that I know how to fix it but have not done so. The fix is: 3 days with virtually 0 carbs. That means ONLY high protein foods- meat eggs cheese. As much and as often as I want. Then gradually add in vegetables and small amounts of complex carbs. It is the carbs that tend to grab you again, so gradual and small are key. For me, the fats don't trigger the hunger cycle, so I don't worry about that during the 3 day cycle, as long as they are not so greasy that they cause upset. Basically it is the Atkins diet induction routine. It is a miserable 3 days, but suddenly you break free of the insane hunger cycle. The key is planning what to stick in your mouth when the hunger strikes. Maybe I will make some dried beef/cream cheese rollups to have on hand today... Oops, was I talking to you? Somewhere I shifted to preaching to myself. If you can use any of the sermon, go for it! Joy
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    Post Date 1/11/08 4:07 am
    Topic: RE: I'm Gonna Need Your Help

    Where else on the internet can you find a thread which combines discusion of M&Ms and animal body fluids??? I LOVE you all! And I am fighting the same battles -- on the days I choose to fight instead of surrender! It is hard to say whether my biggest issues are the bad stuff I eat, the good stuff I don't eat, or the exercise I don't do! Basically, it adds up to one thing--neglect of self. I wonder why? Do I think I'm not important enough to invest the mental and physical energy? In my head, I know that if I don't take care of ME, I won't be able to do anything for anyone else, but my actions don't bear that out.,, I sure wish they would come up with a WLS for my HEAD! Joy
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    Post Date 1/5/08 6:03 am
    Topic: RE: Day Three - Fake It 'Til You Make It

    Great post! We are not at war with our stomachs (or what is left of them), it is our heads that we need to get in line! The words we say to ourselves definitely shape our self-image and ultimately who we are. It is often easier to act ourselves into a way of thinking than to think ourselves into a way of acting.
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    Post Date 1/4/08 11:10 am
    Topic: Cravings

    I have to admit it... I'm a Dr. Phil fan. Sometimes he over-simplifies, but yesterday he was talking to a person who wanted to quit smoking and he said some things that rang a bell with me about my food cravings. He said it is not about will-power. It is about figuring out what triggers the cravings (places, schedules, activities, etc.) and planning changes in the routine that avoid those triggers. Dont go to the store where you typically buy cigarettes. Dont eat the food that triggers the need for a cigarette chaser. Create a new habit to replace the cigarette one. Pre-determine a consequence if you fall back to earn your way out of the bad choice. (If I smoke, I won't get to wash my hair for 3 days) So, I am watching myself and the mindless snacking as an objective observer, noting when and where I feel the need to stuff a cracker in my mouth. The kitchen TV seems to be a food magnet for me. SO... I will try to remove all visible food before I allow myself to turn on the TV there. If that does not work, my consequence is no kitchen TV for 3 days. The key to impulse control is to preplan a response to the urge. Have the right foods on hand... Have alternate activities available... Count the cost of the self-imposed consequence before deciding to indulge... Let's all make healthy choices in 2008!
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    Post Date 1/3/08 1:59 pm
    Topic: RE: Seattle Area?

    Wow! That is a big move! Are you running away from home?
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    Post Date 1/1/08 3:52 am
    Topic: RE: new years eve?

    I promise myself to be super-regular with vitamins. I missed too many days in 2007. Joy
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    Post Date 1/1/08 3:50 am
    Topic: RE: Dating

    Most of us lived many years of our life with little respect for ourselves. Your decision showed a great deal of self-respect. It's great to have a great body, but Hey! We are the PERSON inside here! Do not allow anyone to make the real YOU as invisible as you were before surgery! Way to go Girl! Mr. Wonderful is out there for you. And he is willing to play the board game with you before playing the b_d game! Joy
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    Post Date 12/28/07 5:07 am
    Topic: RE: Paulie the wonder bird

    Your post made me laugh out loud! I'm glad that Paulie is doing better! It is so amazing how human our pets act (after we treat them like family members for a while!) I have one very chubby old dog that proves the point, along with a psychotic fish named Fluffy. Happy New Year! Joy
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    Post Date 12/26/07 8:00 am
    Topic: RE: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

    Hang in there Margo. If you are not already on meds for depression, do so. If you are, then consider changing meds or dosage. It does not fix anything around you, but it can sure increase your coping ability and clear up the mental fog. I know the last few years have been a big struggle, and I really feel for you. I am praying for you to have a clear head and to be able to act wisely on your own behalf to find your way to a happy and fulfilled life. I know it is out there for you, even if you can't see it right now. The holidays are an extra stress--muddle through the best you can and find a counsellor who will help you find a safe place to release all that pent up anger. I have been there. Others here have too. Life will not stay dark forever. There will be sunshine and laughter for you. I'm saying a prayer for a truly happy new year... Joy
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    Post Date 12/17/07 11:28 pm
    Topic: RE: My political mother...

    It won't matter. Now she wouldn't believe it if the real Hilary walked up and knocked at her door! Your sister is getting lumps of coal for Christmas!
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    Post Date 12/15/07 5:58 pm
    Topic: RE: Gather 'round, children....

    I'm so sorry for your pain, and I admire your charitable attitude toward the woman. but the part I don't understand is why you did not hand the sack to Waldo! Joy
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    Post Date 12/12/07 3:58 am
    Topic: RE: Happy Birthday Marilyn!

    Happy Birthday yesterday! I hope your day was terrific! Joy
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    Post Date 12/12/07 3:57 am
    Topic: RE: CCCCCOOOOOOOONNNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

    I'm glad that you are doing somewhat better. Even the thoughts of climbing ladders sound better than where you have been over the last few weeks. Now your family situation is a different matter. What a loser! I hope that the court system in Illinois has the integrity to do the right thing by your sister and her kids. Thanks for checking in. I was worried about you! Joy
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    Post Date 12/6/07 11:08 am
    Topic: RE: CCCCCOOOOOOOONNNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

    We are lost even with you, Connie, but it is much more fun WITH you than WITHOUT you!
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    Post Date 12/6/07 6:50 am
    Topic: RE: MONDAY MORNING CHECK-IN

    Reenie, As always, even at your lows, you have such wisdom! Your assessment that the solution to our attitude issues is to be grateful and involved in selfless service is so true! (OK...Prozac helps too!) I have been working on an inner city toy drive / distribution. It always reminds me of how blessed our family is when I am in contact with others who don't have family or even a place to live. None of us can fix all of this world's ills, but we can each make a difference to someone, so I agree with Reenie and encourage each of us to find our passion to make a difference and dig in! Parent's note: I'm so proud of my daughter--she and her hubby are in the process of being approved as foster care parents. ...making a difference, one child at a time. Joy
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    Post Date 12/6/07 6:19 am
    Topic: RE: hubby in hospital again

    Margo, I'm sorry that you and your dear hubby are going through such a rough time. You both are on my prayer list--for healing energy and strength. I hope that you are already experiencing some relief. Know that you have a cheering section here that cares about you! Joy
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    Post Date 11/19/07 8:59 am
    Topic: RE: Ugh! Carbs!

    Yeah, I had that experience with 160 a few weeks ago. Today I was 158 though, so at least I'm going the right direction. That is still a full 20 lbs above my low. But you know what? I am NOT a number on a scale! I want to control my addictions because I want control over my life and health. I will not allow myself to be controlled by a scale or a size tag either. I'm human, and I will always be pulled in harmful directions. But with God's help, and this marvelous gift of WLS, I will keep living my life. Eating is necessary to that life, and even enjoyable, but it is not my life. We just have to get up one more time than we fall down... Joy
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    Post Date 11/18/07 5:31 am
    Topic: RE: Day#5 No Starbucks & down 4 lbs.

    Way to go, Girlfriend!!! Joy
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    Post Date 11/16/07 9:21 am
    Topic: RE: Day 1 without Starbuck's

    My home brew "Starbucks": Mix in a canister unmeasured amounts of: Chocolate unjury (mostly this!) Sugar free hot chocolate mix (just a little) Splenda Instant coffee Fat free vanilla creamer cinnamon Mix 1/3 cup into a cup of ho****er. This is my breakfast treat each morning. Joy
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