***Terrific Tuesday Roll Call***
Ah yes, Swede... "last meal syndrome" can really do a number on you, especially as your surgery date approaches.
Best thing is to realize that this is NOT the "last vacation where you'll be able to eat and drink anything you want." It's just that your wants and needs will change and, more importantly, your portions of those wants and needs will change. After an appropriate time out, you'll still be able to have a beer if you choose and you'll be in a different head-space in terms of how you see that beer (is it "worth" the calories and carbs within your day?). And just breaking any sugar addiction doesn't mean you'll never be able to have sweets again- they'll just use alternative sweeteners, lower fats, and will still taste just as amazing.
I made sure I said "goodbye" to some of my "old friends" before surgery, realizing full well how toxic those "friendships" were... things like ice-cream sundaes and greasy burgers. After surgery, I've discovered that I can really enjoy a nice (leaner!) burger wrapped in lettuce... and I've had a total of 3 SF ice-cream "sundaes" (commercially prepared) since surgery. Haven't craved them like before surgery, and I've actually found that I strongly prefer my homemade SF/FF ice cream. Go Figure.
Anyway, all that is by way of saying - you have your head in a good place. You recognize the distortion... just keep the perspective and don't let the addict-panic set in as time gets closer.
Karen
Best thing is to realize that this is NOT the "last vacation where you'll be able to eat and drink anything you want." It's just that your wants and needs will change and, more importantly, your portions of those wants and needs will change. After an appropriate time out, you'll still be able to have a beer if you choose and you'll be in a different head-space in terms of how you see that beer (is it "worth" the calories and carbs within your day?). And just breaking any sugar addiction doesn't mean you'll never be able to have sweets again- they'll just use alternative sweeteners, lower fats, and will still taste just as amazing.
I made sure I said "goodbye" to some of my "old friends" before surgery, realizing full well how toxic those "friendships" were... things like ice-cream sundaes and greasy burgers. After surgery, I've discovered that I can really enjoy a nice (leaner!) burger wrapped in lettuce... and I've had a total of 3 SF ice-cream "sundaes" (commercially prepared) since surgery. Haven't craved them like before surgery, and I've actually found that I strongly prefer my homemade SF/FF ice cream. Go Figure.
Anyway, all that is by way of saying - you have your head in a good place. You recognize the distortion... just keep the perspective and don't let the addict-panic set in as time gets closer.
Karen
Morning everyone.
Trish - 5 months is wonderful, especially when taken one day at a time. Congratulations.
Today is a better day. Eddie and I talked yesterday and agreed that we were both in bad moods and had just reached a kind of critical mass point. We're good now.
Last night I was at MBIT for Becky's SkillsUSA recognition (her team placed 3rd in State competition in multimedia technology) with the Board of Directors, which was followed by a really nice presentation for the parents in the multimedia technology program lab. Students from each of the 3 class levels (100 - 300) showed examples of their work, ranging from powerpoint to photoshop/illustrator to DVDs to films. Becky presented her 3rd-year project, which was a film that she directed and produced, co-written by her and another student, which involved the entire class in production. While the entire script was written and storyboarded, only one scene (about 3 minutes) was actually shot and edited, but you could see how professionally it was done, from lighting to camera work, angles, etc. To quote Steffi, I was kvelling. (or is "I kvelled" better usage?)
So... work all day today, then home to get some stuff done. No big plans for the evening other than prep for Becky's graduation party on Saturday.
Karen
Trish - 5 months is wonderful, especially when taken one day at a time. Congratulations.
Today is a better day. Eddie and I talked yesterday and agreed that we were both in bad moods and had just reached a kind of critical mass point. We're good now.
Last night I was at MBIT for Becky's SkillsUSA recognition (her team placed 3rd in State competition in multimedia technology) with the Board of Directors, which was followed by a really nice presentation for the parents in the multimedia technology program lab. Students from each of the 3 class levels (100 - 300) showed examples of their work, ranging from powerpoint to photoshop/illustrator to DVDs to films. Becky presented her 3rd-year project, which was a film that she directed and produced, co-written by her and another student, which involved the entire class in production. While the entire script was written and storyboarded, only one scene (about 3 minutes) was actually shot and edited, but you could see how professionally it was done, from lighting to camera work, angles, etc. To quote Steffi, I was kvelling. (or is "I kvelled" better usage?)
So... work all day today, then home to get some stuff done. No big plans for the evening other than prep for Becky's graduation party on Saturday.
Karen
Good monring Trish and all of PA.
Trish, Congratulations on your 5 month Aniversary.
Karen, Thanks for the workout / nutrition information.
I think I may need to find a hiding place today so I can take a nap. My brothers and I are having a birthday party for my mom's 75th birthday this weekend. We were on the phone until almost 1:00 AM trying to figure out who's bringing what and what we still need. My butt is dragging today.
I'm a little nervous about the party since the Tuesday after will be 6 weeks after surgery. I'm having lots of issues with my food, mostly, I think, because I'm taking bites that are just too large (I'm working on it but the first bite usually does me in).
I also have to call Barix today to see if I can go swimming yet. If Saturday is a nice day, everyone will be in the pond.
I have a question for everyone. As hard as I'm afraid this weekend will be, the following weekend will find me traveling to Toledo, Ohio, then down to Kentucky, then home. All over a 4 day weekend. In the past, this type of trip would consist of many stops at the fast food joints. I would appreciate any suggestions you have for long trips. I think I need to get a large cooler before I go, but what do I even pack that lasts 4 days. I guess this might even be a good time to rely on some protien shakes, huh?
Thanks all. Have a great day!!!
Trish, Congratulations on your 5 month Aniversary.
Karen, Thanks for the workout / nutrition information.
I think I may need to find a hiding place today so I can take a nap. My brothers and I are having a birthday party for my mom's 75th birthday this weekend. We were on the phone until almost 1:00 AM trying to figure out who's bringing what and what we still need. My butt is dragging today.
I'm a little nervous about the party since the Tuesday after will be 6 weeks after surgery. I'm having lots of issues with my food, mostly, I think, because I'm taking bites that are just too large (I'm working on it but the first bite usually does me in).
I also have to call Barix today to see if I can go swimming yet. If Saturday is a nice day, everyone will be in the pond.
I have a question for everyone. As hard as I'm afraid this weekend will be, the following weekend will find me traveling to Toledo, Ohio, then down to Kentucky, then home. All over a 4 day weekend. In the past, this type of trip would consist of many stops at the fast food joints. I would appreciate any suggestions you have for long trips. I think I need to get a large cooler before I go, but what do I even pack that lasts 4 days. I guess this might even be a good time to rely on some protien shakes, huh?
Thanks all. Have a great day!!!
...Bernie
Bernie,
You are back to solid foods at thtis point? Correct?
If so I would pack protein shakes, cheese sticks, yogurt maybe some ricotta combos. Lunch meat/cheese rolls ups. Have the cooler with you that way you not have to stop and make a bad choice. Plus I would pack a case of water or Powerades ( my drink of choice). The more prep you do the better will do with choices and you are early out so you don't want to make bad choices too soon.
Have a safe journey!
Have fun at Mom's Party!
You are back to solid foods at thtis point? Correct?
If so I would pack protein shakes, cheese sticks, yogurt maybe some ricotta combos. Lunch meat/cheese rolls ups. Have the cooler with you that way you not have to stop and make a bad choice. Plus I would pack a case of water or Powerades ( my drink of choice). The more prep you do the better will do with choices and you are early out so you don't want to make bad choices too soon.
Have a safe journey!
Have fun at Mom's Party!
Bernie,
Try eating with baby food spoons/forks for a while. They will force you to take smaller bites... and just keep in mind that nothing larger than an M&M is going into your pouch's opening - especially at this point when things are still swollen, so do that "mental measurement" every time you pick up a bite. It will get easier over time, trust me.
As to a long car ride... let me tell you that my first one post-surg ( 8 weeks post-surg) was a REAL eye-opener to me. I had never realized just how much I used to eat when driving for a long distance - using the excuse of boredom or snackage or whatever. It was a serious physical habit, turns out. How I've adapted/combatted that post-surg has been to: A - pack a cooler with 'safe' snacks and lots of water. B - Stop at regularly scheduled intervals to eat said snacks (not allowing myself to "graze" through the cooler with one hand on the wheel) and C- choose hot meal sites carefully, allowing TIME to eat and to make good choices (i.e., no fast food eaten behind the wheel - going to a sit-down restaurant or cafeteria and eating while there).
The type of snacks I pack (individually portion packed into snack-size ziploc bags or appropriate single-serving containers!!!) include things like: grapes and lowfat cheese, cheese sticks, peanut butter/cashew butter with apples or celery, yogurt with granola, muscle milk light protein drink, deli meat and cheese rollups. I use refreezable ice packs in an insulated cooler bag and make sure that any room I stay in overnight has a fridge (to keep stuff cold and to refreeze the ice packs),. You can ask at any hotel and they will provide a fridge - just tell them you need it for medical reasons. You can also freeze a couple of your water bottles for extra cooling power in the cooler.
I usually (unless I'm flying and don't have the space) pack my magic bullet and pre-measured packets of protein powder. A little nonfat mil**** cubes, and maybe some fruit if you can get your hands on a banana or apple or whatever, and you've got a good, nutritious meal right there, all with stuff that's easily accessible and really cheap.
Hope some of these ideas help - with a little planning, you'll do just fine!
Karen
Try eating with baby food spoons/forks for a while. They will force you to take smaller bites... and just keep in mind that nothing larger than an M&M is going into your pouch's opening - especially at this point when things are still swollen, so do that "mental measurement" every time you pick up a bite. It will get easier over time, trust me.
As to a long car ride... let me tell you that my first one post-surg ( 8 weeks post-surg) was a REAL eye-opener to me. I had never realized just how much I used to eat when driving for a long distance - using the excuse of boredom or snackage or whatever. It was a serious physical habit, turns out. How I've adapted/combatted that post-surg has been to: A - pack a cooler with 'safe' snacks and lots of water. B - Stop at regularly scheduled intervals to eat said snacks (not allowing myself to "graze" through the cooler with one hand on the wheel) and C- choose hot meal sites carefully, allowing TIME to eat and to make good choices (i.e., no fast food eaten behind the wheel - going to a sit-down restaurant or cafeteria and eating while there).
The type of snacks I pack (individually portion packed into snack-size ziploc bags or appropriate single-serving containers!!!) include things like: grapes and lowfat cheese, cheese sticks, peanut butter/cashew butter with apples or celery, yogurt with granola, muscle milk light protein drink, deli meat and cheese rollups. I use refreezable ice packs in an insulated cooler bag and make sure that any room I stay in overnight has a fridge (to keep stuff cold and to refreeze the ice packs),. You can ask at any hotel and they will provide a fridge - just tell them you need it for medical reasons. You can also freeze a couple of your water bottles for extra cooling power in the cooler.
I usually (unless I'm flying and don't have the space) pack my magic bullet and pre-measured packets of protein powder. A little nonfat mil**** cubes, and maybe some fruit if you can get your hands on a banana or apple or whatever, and you've got a good, nutritious meal right there, all with stuff that's easily accessible and really cheap.
Hope some of these ideas help - with a little planning, you'll do just fine!
Karen
Hi all -
Back to the boards after a few days away. I'll have to skim thru on my lunch hour to see what I missed.
Today I'm at work til 3:30 and then I have several errands to do. My plan was to do them yesterday when I was off for Flag day, but I ended up going out to lunch with the ladies in my family and didn't get home until 7:00pm !! Uggh.....
Oh the plus side to that, I ended up going on a 1.5 hour hike in the middle of my day out with my family yesterday. We went to the Valley Green Inn at Fairmont Park in Philly. After lunch, my Aunt decided that she wanted to find this old Indian statue that we had all been to when we were kids with my Grandfather. We thought that it was maybe a 15 minute hike thru the park to find this thing. NOT ! It took almost an hour of mostly uphill hiking just to to get to it. We finally found it after getting lost on the trail once and then stopping to ask misc. hikers if we were anywhere near the statue yet. We took our pictures and headed back. We had left my Mom and my Grandmother on the benches down below and they were about to call 911 to say that we were lost in the woods.....I would have died from embarrassment if they had done that.
I was so proud of myself. This time last year, I could barely walk up a flight of steps without gasping for air. Now I hike ! Amazing.........love my WLS !
Hope everyone has a super day !
Lisa
Back to the boards after a few days away. I'll have to skim thru on my lunch hour to see what I missed.
Today I'm at work til 3:30 and then I have several errands to do. My plan was to do them yesterday when I was off for Flag day, but I ended up going out to lunch with the ladies in my family and didn't get home until 7:00pm !! Uggh.....
Oh the plus side to that, I ended up going on a 1.5 hour hike in the middle of my day out with my family yesterday. We went to the Valley Green Inn at Fairmont Park in Philly. After lunch, my Aunt decided that she wanted to find this old Indian statue that we had all been to when we were kids with my Grandfather. We thought that it was maybe a 15 minute hike thru the park to find this thing. NOT ! It took almost an hour of mostly uphill hiking just to to get to it. We finally found it after getting lost on the trail once and then stopping to ask misc. hikers if we were anywhere near the statue yet. We took our pictures and headed back. We had left my Mom and my Grandmother on the benches down below and they were about to call 911 to say that we were lost in the woods.....I would have died from embarrassment if they had done that.
I was so proud of myself. This time last year, I could barely walk up a flight of steps without gasping for air. Now I hike ! Amazing.........love my WLS !
Hope everyone has a super day !
Lisa
Good afternoon everyone...
Back to work after a very crazy 6 days off. The last two and a half of which were spent camping with the girls and my mom and step-dad. Yesterday was a trip to Knoebels with the girls. They had such a good time, rode lots of rides and really were just so much fun. To add to all that, I went on a handful of rides as well with them and that was a really cool WOW moment.
We came home today around 1pm, in time for me to shower, change and get my appointment with my surgeon about my hernia. Thanks to Pam cornering my surgeon in the ER on Sunday night, I was told to call and he wants to see me sooner than August 10th. So I called and got in today. The appointment went well. We talked about RNY stuff and determined that I somehow missed getting bloodwork this last time around and need to get that done. We talked about exercise and some of my body image / being self-conscious of my body when exercising issues, plastic****ting goal, maintaining, varicose veins on my legs and eventually my hernia. Overall, it was one of my best appointments I ever had with him and left there with some decisions to make on my next steps.
So now I'm at work since 4pm and am working till 2am. Ugh. Working middles the rest of the week too. Double ugh. Working the weekend too. Triple ugh.
Hope everyone has a great rest of the day!
Back to work after a very crazy 6 days off. The last two and a half of which were spent camping with the girls and my mom and step-dad. Yesterday was a trip to Knoebels with the girls. They had such a good time, rode lots of rides and really were just so much fun. To add to all that, I went on a handful of rides as well with them and that was a really cool WOW moment.
We came home today around 1pm, in time for me to shower, change and get my appointment with my surgeon about my hernia. Thanks to Pam cornering my surgeon in the ER on Sunday night, I was told to call and he wants to see me sooner than August 10th. So I called and got in today. The appointment went well. We talked about RNY stuff and determined that I somehow missed getting bloodwork this last time around and need to get that done. We talked about exercise and some of my body image / being self-conscious of my body when exercising issues, plastic****ting goal, maintaining, varicose veins on my legs and eventually my hernia. Overall, it was one of my best appointments I ever had with him and left there with some decisions to make on my next steps.
So now I'm at work since 4pm and am working till 2am. Ugh. Working middles the rest of the week too. Double ugh. Working the weekend too. Triple ugh.
Hope everyone has a great rest of the day!
Thanks to Beth and Karen. I really appreciate the suggestions. I would definiately be fishing around a cooler with one hand while driving. I like the idea of just pulling over and thinking about eating.
Beth, wha's a ricotta combo and is there a resource somewhere for recipes? It would be nice to have some other options that are tried and true.
Karen, I got some of the recipes you posted this week that I'm going to try for the birthday party this weekend. The quinoa salad looks really good.
Quite frankly, I'm still a little scared of hot meal sites. I've dumped just from too much fruit sugar so if I can't read the nutritional label, I'm not eating it. At least not yet.
When you guys mention lunch meat/cheese rollups, are you just taking a slice of deli meat and a slice of cheese and rolling them together? I just assumed deli meat would be a bad choice. Not the case, huh?
I also didn't realize you can ask for a fridge at a hotel. I called the two I'm staying at and they both will provide one for me. One is charging a few dollars each day but it's minimal.
I was planning on taking the magic bullet but never thought about pre-measuring the protien powder. That's genious. I would have filled a baggie and probably would have forggen the scoop. LOL
Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you both tonight at the meeting tonight.
...Bernie
Beth, wha's a ricotta combo and is there a resource somewhere for recipes? It would be nice to have some other options that are tried and true.
Karen, I got some of the recipes you posted this week that I'm going to try for the birthday party this weekend. The quinoa salad looks really good.
Quite frankly, I'm still a little scared of hot meal sites. I've dumped just from too much fruit sugar so if I can't read the nutritional label, I'm not eating it. At least not yet.
When you guys mention lunch meat/cheese rollups, are you just taking a slice of deli meat and a slice of cheese and rolling them together? I just assumed deli meat would be a bad choice. Not the case, huh?
I also didn't realize you can ask for a fridge at a hotel. I called the two I'm staying at and they both will provide one for me. One is charging a few dollars each day but it's minimal.
I was planning on taking the magic bullet but never thought about pre-measuring the protien powder. That's genious. I would have filled a baggie and probably would have forggen the scoop. LOL
Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you both tonight at the meeting tonight.
...Bernie
...Bernie
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