Week 6

Jul 06, 2010

 First things first:  I lost 4.2 lbs. this week!  I think that is the most one-week weight loss I've had since the second week!  That brings my total weight loss to 31.4 lbs. in 6 weeks--not too shabby.

I don't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I know I've talked about it at support group:  that I felt like this was all "charted waters."  I've lost 20-25 pounds very rapidly before.  I've also lost 30 lbs. before with various doctor-controlled methods.  I think when I get to 40lbs. I'll be in uncharted waters.  I still feel like I'm holding my breath for this to work, but a 4lb. weight loss again sure helps me out.

Oh, before I go on, I should have a disclaimer of sorts:  I am not a medical professional, nor do I even follow my medical professional's advice to a T.  So by all means do what your med professional says, not what I do.

Wednesday night was the first time I've been out to a bar in, gosh, ages.  I visualized myself ordering nothing but a juice, I rehearsed, and then I up and ordered alcohol.  I was disappointed, but luckily it did not have any ill effects.  All I can say is:  social.  The sleeve cannot solve for the social reasons we eat.  With food, especially this early out, it can limit us, but later on that issue will still be there.  Social eating is a biggie for me.  I feel more comfortable, calm, and relaxed with a drink in my hand or food by my side.  I was with people I had just met and they were all drinking.  I'm not trying to make excuses, merely understand my behavior.  Now, that being said, I don't think it's wrong to eat or drink socially.  In fact, I find it rather enjoyable.  The problem is when it becomes overblown.  The one drink did not harm me, and I drank it over the course of about 2 1/2 hours.

Support group on Thursday was very enlightening.  There were two women who were far out, one was 2 years post, the other 2 1/2.  They both looked fabulous and were making it happen for themselves.  One had become quite the athlete.  I sure hope that's me in 2 years!  On Friday I went out again for an art gallery walk.  We then went to this authentic taco place where (I'm so proud!) I ate mainly just the insides out of a taco.  It was very good--I'm finding Mexican food hard to resist nowadays.  Oh, oh, oh!!!  My sister and I worked out on Friday.  Yeahhhh--we walked some, lifted some, and cycled for a couple minutes.  It wasn't a whole lot, but it was something.  

On Saturday I got up and walked in a Fourth of July parade (more exercise, ca-ching).  I then met some friends for dinner where I ordered tacos again (and could only eat one--and none of the chips/queso/tortillas beforehand!).  By Sunday, though, my system was worn out.  I had been working on a sore throat and clogged ears since Wednesday but ignoring it.  By the Fourth I essentially had no voice and just laid low after church.  

Monday was my sister's birthday!!  Still not feeling that great, but after seeing Knight and Day, my mom and I made her a birthday dinner.  It consisted mainly of steak, a couple bites of baked potato, green beans, homemade ice cream and chocolate cake for dessert.  I know, this is not exactly a nutritionist's condoned meal, but twenty is a big birthday!  Also, I feel like we were partly doing it for the guests.  Ate my steak first.  When it came time for dessert, I had several bites of ice cream (damn slider foods) and two tiny bites of cake and that was too much of a good thing.

So, as you can tell, I'm beginning to feel human again, thank the Lord!  Life is about enjoying.  That is why I had surgery.  I know my eating is nowhere near perfect, and I hope I won't regret it, but this is exactly what I envisioned when I had the surgery.  I wanted to be able to go out and eat at a Mexican restaurant and feel strong, satisfied, and happy.  Of course, this is not what I expect to do every week--this was a holiday week, birthday week, and my friend was on leave.

This coming week will have some challenges too as my sister's party is this week, followed shortly by my niece's first birthday.  But you know what?  This time I know I can handle it.  I know that I'm not going to indulge in a little too much birthday cake, feel too guilty to face the scale, eat like there's no tomorrow before I have to go back on a diet, and 3 months later have gained 15+ pounds.  

One last thing:  hunger.  Yep, I still have it.  As I sit here typing, my little hunger monster reminds me not so subtly it wants to eat.  I thought the prilosec was helping and it is a little, but I'm learning to deal.  I guess the good news is that if I can learn to ignore hunger now, I ought never have a problem again!

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