The First Time I've Done This

So, it's been nearly 2 1/2 years since my revision.  Since I have a RNY pouch one of the things have been very conscious of is not drinking with meals or for 30 minutes afterwards and I can honestly say I haven't.  I usually set my timer right after I eat for 30 minutes.  But at work I can't do that because I have to set my timer to know when my lunch break is over.  So today I ate my lunch and went into the break room and fixed a cup of coffee and without thinking twice I started drinking it.  Didn't give it a second thought until I got to my desk and I remembered that it hadn't been 30 minutes yet.  I probably had a few sips of it.  It just freaked me out because I saw how easy it is to forget something even though it had been a part of my life for over 2 years.

Did I do any harm by drinking that soon?  Most likely not, but it scared me to see how fast old habits can come back no matter how long I have not been doing them.  It reminds me of back in the past when I would go to bed swearing that I was going to start a new diet in the morning and when I woke up I had food in my face before I knew it, almost automatically like I was on auto pilot.  It has taken a long time to not let myself eat mindlessly, to put thought into everything I put into my mouth and in one flash that went out the window.  I so don't want to fall back into old patterns.  I had been setting the timer for the end of my break and remembering the time I could drink again but I think I will have to do the opposite, set the timer for drinking again and remembering the time my break is over.  Or get another timer.  My memory is so bad that if I don't have some kind of physical reminder I totally space out things.

The best part about this - is you realized what happened - when it happened.  

Because of this - you'll be much more cognizant of it in the future - good for you!  

I've really been trying to do the 30 minute after eating thing - and because it's foremost in my mind - it's easier to remember.

I think that we all have so much fear about messing up but this was one mistake.  You know you that this is not something you want to make a habit of and you have done so well this 2nd time around.   No biggie!

Tomorrow is a new day!!

~~Jennifer

I just bought a timer at the dollar store that I can keep at work so I can keep track of my breaks.  That way I can still use the timer on my phone to remind me about when I can drink again.  I think the physical action of setting the timer helps reinforce my need to not drink for 30 minutes.  We will see.

Good for you, seeing what you need to do and doing it.  There are a few times I really want to drink something after I have eaten but I can usually get by if I go brush my teeth.  It seems to be taste related, not thirst.  But if your timer is working, work it baby!!!

It is a control issues and we have often failed in those before, which is a scarey, slippery slope.  I think that is what freaked you out, and it does for many of us.  Control, or lack of it got us in a bad place and we don't want to go back there.  Sometimes we see glimmers of the past sneaking up behind us and it is scarey.

Amen on all points.  You are so "on the money with that one."  Old habits die hard.

Glad you caught what you were doing.  It is amazing how we can do something for 2+ years and slip right back into the old habits that we thought were gone!!

I try to remember the time I finished eating, but sometimes I can't remember so I probably wait longer than the 30 - 45 minutes.

Linda