steve D.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well,

I got to Denver and was able to stick to my meal plan at work.  After work I stopped at Target and picked up some Tuna in the pouch, fruit cups, yogurt and sf pudding along with a few cheese sticks.  So far I have been able to stay within my meal plan.  It is tough though driving by all those places, I used to call home, like Burger King, Outback Steakhouse, etc.

However, because I am sticking to my meal plan and watching carbs, exercising twice a day, I no longer need any form of insulin or medication for my diabetes.  To me that is the best trade off I could ask for.  It helps keep me going when I have a craving to snack. 

Well, I got to experience what it is like to get something stuck.  Last night, we had baked cod for dinner.  It was overcooked (I cooked it) and in the process of eating, I got a piece stuck.  Three hours later, may barfing sessions later, it went away.  I don't want to experience that again.  That was not fun.

I am in Denver this week.  Flew out of Fargo this morning.  Have a plan to stick to my diet.  Will stay in touch.

Met with my NUT and Dr. Monson's PA Robyn this morning.  I am down 31 pounds (pre-surgery) and have completely eliminated insulin.  Things are progressing.  I am somwhat disappointed that I have hit a  slow time in losing weight, but I undestand.

I have a follow up in 3 months and will see how things are going then.

i wish I could say that I am always satisfied with what I eat, but I still have craves to overeat.  I know I can't, but that doesn't mean I don't want to.  Especially when I am really tired. 

Today, I started a 3 week travel schedule.  I left tired and now am extremely fatigued.  I used to eat to combat fatigue.  I used to smoke to combat fatigue.  Now I don't have those crutches.  I need to find other means to deal with my craves.

I have been successful to this point, but being on the road with little rest is not helping.  I did work out tonight (walked 1.5 miles on the treadmill) and that helped. 

Add On.  I just want to remember that March 14th 2010 is the last day I took insulin.

I continue to lose at about 1.5 pounds per day.  It is exciting, but I know this will slow at some point.  Until then, I am enjoying the rapid loss.  My surgery has impacted my wife, Nancy also.  She has begun to lose weight.  We tend to talk more and plan more about how we will eat healthy.  It is also good for the relationship.

We can encourage each other without being critical of choices we make for food.

I have been very diligent to this point of sticking to the diet requirements.  I average about 800 calories per day with about 60-70 percent being protein.

It is still a psychological struggle to want to snack, but I have an action plan I use.  Similar to my quit smoking plan, I have developed things I can do if I have an urge to snack.  I also, have a reward system for continuing to be compliant to my goals.  So far so good.

I am kind of using this as a journal more than a blog.  It helps me to stay focused and reflect on where I have come from.  My Weight Loss is beginning and I have set a new goal to be at 250 (short term goal) by April 8th.  My wife and I will be travelling to San Jose.  I have to speak at a Workers Compensation Conference and I asked my blushing bride of almost 24 years to come along.

I am starting to have more energy, espcially in the morning.  Good news. 

My next goal is to meet with my exercise coach to set up my exercise goals. 

Each day is getting better and I am excited for the future.

Steve

First,

Thanks to all of you who left comments for me.  Your words of encouragement mean so much.  My first day back to work today and things are going well.  A little tired but not too bad.

I started packing my meals and snacks to take to work so I can make sure I stay on track.  Not only is that a benefit, but now that I eat lunch here, it gives me time to visit with other staff at work and get to know them better.

I saw my endrocrinologist today and he is very happy with my progress. 

I had my surgery on Wednesday, and it seemed to go well.  I was scheduled to leave the hospital yesterday but had a fever of 103.7, so they took me into surgery again to explore for leaks.  Fortuneately, there were no leaks.  It sounds like I got the flu from my wife, go figure.

So, I have to stay here until Saturday to make sure things are ok.  Bummer.  

I am on the pureed portion of the diet now and tolerating that quite well.  I am trying to be careful about intake as to not have problems.   I will post pics of me post surgery.  Already losing weight.  Have not weighed in officially, but I started at 305, was 285 at the time of the surgery.

I will be interested to see what I am at now.  One foot in front of the other.  I will try to keep my expectations doable.

Any comments, advice, encouragement is greatly appreicated.

Steve

I apologize but I have been away.  I truly want to make this a part of my day.  My surgery is scheduled for March 3rd.  I am a little anxious but know that this will be a life changing moment.

I also know that this will be very hard work to change my life to meet the demands I will place on myself, but for me that is what it will take.

I will be more active.

Thanks
Steve

I appreciate everyones response and support.  Tommorrow I have my pre-op meeting and March 3rd is my surgery.  I look forward to your encouragement and support!