I have never had an anxiety before, but recently in my post-Op balloon deflated body I seem to be stirring up a lot of body image issues.  I have anxieties about eating because I'm afraid I'm going to throw up.  I've had anxieties when I don't eat that I'm developing an eating disorder.  These elements have surfaced recently, in the last two weeks.  I quit smoking entirely, cold turkey.  I'm afraid that may have been a trigger, but the issues were underlying prior to this weekend's episodes. 

Has anyone else experienced Post-Op food and eating issues?  I am a Master's degree counselor who decided to leave the field while I lost this weight, and now I feel like I need to start seeing someone to discuss my issues.  Eventually, I would like to go back into counseling in this field in particular too.  I thought I was invincible and this wouldn't happen to me... I thought I could deal with feeling like a deflated balloon, but it's turning out to be harder than I thought. 

I've accepted that I'll need plastics when I'm done.  After the praying that I wouldn't, I've now accepted it.  Ideally, I'd like to get down to 145 and then consult with a plastic surgeon.  I'm 5'8, so minus the skin, I'd like to be about 135-140.

Last week we released two major updates. First was the public release of OH Groups where any ObesityHelp member can now create their own Group. Second was the addition of Activity Tracking to Health Tracker, which provides a robust and easy to use tool to track and monitor your exercise and activity. Today we have added My Meals and an Activity vs. Weight Loss Report to Health Tracker. 

My Meals My Meals allows you to group and store multiple food and beverage items as a custom meal that can be used over and over again. If you have meals that you eat on a regular basis, you will no longer need to log each food item individually.

To access My Meals, go to your Health Tracker in My OH and click on the Nutrition tab. You will see My Meals listed under Nutrition.

Creating a new meal works similar to your Food Log. You can search for food items on the right and add the foods to the meal on the left. A Calorie Breakdown chart and Nutrient Summary Label are also available for each meal.

Once a meal is created you can add that meal to your Food Log from My Meals by clicking "i had this" or you can search for the meal from your Food Log.

When searching for a meal to add to your Food Log, all meals will be returned when "My Foods" is selected in search. So, to "drill down" on meals that you have created, select to only show "My Foods." When a new meal is created it may require up to 30 minutes for that meal to be indexed and become searchable.

Activity vs. Weight Loss Report Adding to the Macronutrient and Export Reports previously available, there is now an Activity vs. Weight Loss Report. This report will allow to compare Average Time in Activity vs Weight over time, providing you with further insight into what impact physical activity as on weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In Health Tracker, click Reports and then select Activity vs. Weight Loss.

We hope these additions to Health Track reduce the time required to log your daily food intake and makes it easier to view how physical activity impacts your weight.   Create your first meal now! If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this release, please post them on the Main Message Board.

Happy Friday Eve..

Today I am grateful..

That I realize that I may not be perfect but I am me..

That today makes another day..

For iced coffee and hot tea..  I know that is backwards but I just said I wasn't perfect..LOL

For unexpected phone calls..

For my driving skills that prevented an accident..

   Keep on smilin Ramon, I read your posts and blogs alot. I have been busy doing alot of reading and prepairing myself for my trip to the Losers Bench. Which I am hoping will be soon now, for all my tests and paperwork has been faxed to my surgeons office now.
   I am really anxious about my journey, whereas I have been reading alot of pre-ops are nervous. I dont think I will hit that point. Anxiety has priority over my being nervous.
   My sister is going to have WLS too, but she is not reading and researching like I am, so I am making notes for her, lol she hates that. 
   I am going to try and be more active on my friends posts and get to know you all better.
   You have done wonderful on your journey Ramon... Keep it up hero!

YEAH Trish....

Don't let the flu make you relapse.....Hope you feel better.

Anne