If you are struggling, what are you struggling with?

If you are struggling, what are you struggling with? Do you want to talk about it or do you want to keep it inside, bottled up - letting it fester and grow and bring you down? I'm not saying we have to air our dirty laundry, but I want you to feel renewed, refreshed and ready to move on if you need to.

Kristy A. and I had a discussion today about old habits pre-surgery. It was a really good conversation I felt. And it made me think!

For me personally, at this stage, I am struggling with knowing if I'm eating too much or too little, just enough, etc. I wish my tummy had a window so I could see into it and know what it's feeling or looking like.

I bumped up to food a little too quickly despite what my program manual says. I am okay to, but my body didn't agree. So I backed down to pureed's again and will stay there for a few days. Much better. But I am eating every two hours. So that's where my mind game starts to come in.

Anything you want to talk about? Maybe not, that's okay, too. It could be totally OT and not related at all, but I just wanted to open up the dialogue in case anyone else was feeling the same way.

Let's all be FINE in '09!

I'll chime in on this one.  Already, I am not very good about keeping up with my 3 calcium doses a day. I'm lucky if I get two.  In my head, when I have a meal full of calcium, like yogurt, I think I my body won't use the calcium supplament anyway, so why bother. I'm not sure if that's right though.  And my program says to have two glasses of milk  a day. I've been lucky to get in one, and even at that I usually can only drink 1/2.  Ever since surgery, no protein shake or SF CIB tastes good to me. I really liked them before surgery. It's frustrating.

One area I really need to improve on is advocating for myself.  I've pondered calling the surgeons office for a few days due to the discomfort/pain of what seems to be maybe a pulled or torn muscle in my left tummy. I think it's a results of two meals getting stuck and the stress of yacking, plus a dry heave epsisode from yesterday.  And maybe, lifting my daughter prematurely.  My lifting restrictions through next week are 20lbs, and she's 23. Maybe that little doesn't make a difference?  I have never been very assertive when it comes to my health, always worrying about if the doctor is busy, is my concern valid? Will the time it takes to go to the doctor even be worth it, or will they blow my issue off?  Even wanting to call and get more pain medication, I've been wanting to, but haven't because I think I should feel fine by now and don't want them to think I'm a pill addict. Now how dumb is that!  Stupid self talk I hope to get better about little by little.

Hey girl - I think you definitely need to call your doc on Monday a.m.!!! Just to be safe!

You know your stoma can close, right? If you're having trouble getting foods or liquids down, it might be something to have checked out. My SIL had that issue and had to keep having it stretched for her first few months.

Just take it easy but do not be shy! Call and ask questions.

Firstly, I am going to add Let's all be FINE in '09!, to my signature, if that's ok.

I think you did a smart job of backing off on your food progression.  I see alot of people either accelerate WAY too fast, or are scared to advance~ so I think it's really insightful to know when to back off.

And I just wanted to say, I am REALLY inspired to do well this year.  I LOVE that our board have a food thread and a fitness thread.  I love it.

I was going through some of my things and I found 2 photos from Christmas 2003, I looked like , I really did.  I am really sad for the person I was, I looked awful, but more than that, I remember that I ached all over, my knees especially, and I would get pain in my shins and back whenever I walked for too long.  Oh, man.  It's strange that all I really remember is that my body hurt so much.  I was in alot of denial about my weight, but I can't deny the pain I was in.

I am almost 2 years post revision and 6 from my first surgery and have been giving alot of thought to perfection.  I wish I could be perfect - follow the rules 100% but I am not made that way , I think my mental health gets in the way . Anyway, that's what is spinning around in head right now.

Absolutely! Heck, I'm going to add it to mine, too. LOL

I am so happy you are inspired. You have come a long way and there is no reason to go back!!!

My 6 y.o. has been taking pictures lately and he has actually snapped some decent ones...'til I got to the ones of me - UGH! But I can appreciate having those pics now because I know the battle is over once and for all.

And you are changing your habits every day - just look at how much you have homecooked the past week?! uh huh...I've noticed! I'm proud of you.

Keep in the game!

And you are changing your habits every day - just look at how much you have homecooked the past week?! uh huh...I've noticed! I'm proud of you.

It helps to hear that Thank you~ And we don't call them recipes or cooking in my home, the hubs and I refer to it as experiments ...I am known for not cooking and my lack of homemaker skillz

Great post and without giving too much info....you can pm me if you like.  I deal with addiction transfer!!!!  It is part of my everyday living and all of you who are newly post op, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get help thru a counselor if you don't already have one, get one.  I still don't have one, but I am working with my primary dr to get me better.  And am looking forward to new changes in my life for 09.
 ~P

(((Paula))) I'm so glad you are still around and checking in!

Has the transfer addiction hindered your weight loss or maintenance in any way?

I know there are others out there with transfer addictions and it's probably really hard to talk about, but I think you'll find the board very supportive if you ever decide to talk more openly about it. None of us are exempt from it, that's for sure!

I'm glad you are optimistic, that is going to take you far on your road to recovery!!!

Stay plugged in here!

I am still around and read most the posts.

Addiction transfer has hindered my weight loss.  It is hard to talk about here.  But once I get help I am sure I can help others with the same problem.  I am optomistic, but I have a long road ahead of me.

I'm always here even when I don't post. 

Thank you!!

I stuggle with getting all of my calcium in as well. I know it's something that I HAVE to do, but I can't always do it. Sometimes they just don't sit well.

I struggle with opening up on the boards about what I'm going through. One in part because I have never been good about opening up, and two because I often lurk, and many times just don't get where some of the posts go. It makes me unsure of myself and what I should post if anything.

My goal for "being fine in '09" is to open up more, participate more, and get to more coffee gatherings for the support.

Thank you Amy for starting this thread and encouraging others to participate.