The Smell of Fresh Baked Cookies Doesn't Bother Me...

Mar 03, 2011

Today, I did something that many considering surgery worry they cannot do after surgery... I baked cookies for my family, and didn't have a need or an urge to EAT any!

I have been having some great conversations with folks worrying what life will be like, "AFTER SURGERY..."  No, it isn't some punishment that you will have to endure.  You will not die from having cravings that you cannot act on.  You WILL have a better relationship with food, and portion control.

When I was asked yesterday to bake cookies, I didn't even wince.  The best thing, when I was getting all my ingredients together, I decided to make a SMALL batch, instead of my usual four dozen.  My daughter looked a little hurt, but I told her two dozen is enough, and I would make more, when needed.  You wanna hear the best part?  I didn't even lick the bowl!

Having read an email today from a friend who just got her surgery date, that she was having some treats now, before she will never be able to have them again.  I enjoyed writing her back, telling her that it isn't that she will never be able to eat those things again, it is that she won't be able to eat AS MUCH as she did.  I am far from being the Kitchen Nazi, and realize that from time to time, I will have some food NOT on my diet.  The difference in me now is, I can have some - not a huge serving, and I will know what the nutrition is and make an educated decision as to how much I can have.  It really is all about math.  If you do not already have a food journal, start one.

The whole thing is knowing what we are doing to ourselves.  Not going through life eating with blinders on.  Raising my hand, I can now admit that I had issues with food.  The amount and frankly the quality of my decisions.  If you are lucky enough to live in a State that requires restaurants to list the nutrition - STUDY THE MENU!  After surgery, I do not have the cravings I used to have, and I have LOTS of leftovers to eat later.  This isn't deprivation, this is re-education (or for some of us, an education), and a chance to eat like normal people do.  Put your fork down between every bite, it really works!

For those of you worrying about "Life After Surgery," it really isn't some terrible torture, and you will (hopefully) be thankful you did it.  My life isn't so different from before.  Well, excluding the need to change my wardrobe.  Losing weight is wonderful, you finally fit into those "thin" clothes in the closet!  Oh, and feeling more energetic.  Yes, it is a terrible thing to now FEEL like cleaning house, because you can!  Getting off medications is so terrible, too!  All the money you get to save, what a terrible burden.  I think the worst part of "After Surgery" is actually being in control of my emotions.  I used to be an emotional eater, and maybe it is too early to say this, but I really do not feel the need to pick up a cookie when I am having a bad day.

Brenda  : )~

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