Tricia R.
Good grief
Feb 26, 2009
It's been dang nearly a month since I wrote, or even got on the OH website. A month still working the program but feeling that I can do it on my own, without the need to take the time to reach out for support. What a goofball I am! Especially since this week I can feel old patterns wanting to sneak back in. What started it was a plateau that felt to me like eternity! Finally broke it and got the realization that 30 minutes of exercise a day does not appear to be enough for my body. Harrumph. Some days mentally it's all I can do to walk around the block for 10 minutes, let alone do a vigorous 1 hour walk. But that puts me into the glass half empty mindset. So here is what I have accomplished, and by writing this, I say "Good job, Tricia! Keep it up!"
One smaller size, which means I've set those too big clothes aside or thrown them away.
Joined Curves and go at least 2x a week
Am back doing volkswalks (www.ava.org) -- organized walks done just for the fun of it. On Valentine's Day my friend Laura and I did 10 k (6.2 miles). This was her very first walk and loves it! When I woke up the next morning I was pleasantly tired but not crippled!
We are doing another 10k this Saturday.
Signed up again this year to do the MS Walk.
Feel more energetic and hopeful.
Most all my friends and family comment on how great my skin looks.
Am actually looking at adventure vacation options for next spring!
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One smaller size, which means I've set those too big clothes aside or thrown them away.
Joined Curves and go at least 2x a week
Am back doing volkswalks (www.ava.org) -- organized walks done just for the fun of it. On Valentine's Day my friend Laura and I did 10 k (6.2 miles). This was her very first walk and loves it! When I woke up the next morning I was pleasantly tired but not crippled!
We are doing another 10k this Saturday.
Signed up again this year to do the MS Walk.
Feel more energetic and hopeful.
Most all my friends and family comment on how great my skin looks.
Am actually looking at adventure vacation options for next spring!
Today was a great day
Jan 29, 2009
Really, it was! I met my weekly mall walking buddy this morning and we calculated via pedometer that we walked 2.7 miles! Not bad for two weeks post surgery! Writing down my food to calculate calories and protein is oh so useful, particularly now that I am on soft foods. Since I've never had good sense when it comes to portion size, writing my food down is crucial. Most particularly because now that I feel full much more quickly, the old binge purge thoughts pop in. Blessedly I think of them only as echoes of my distant past and give them no power.
Tonight for dinner I had 2 oz sole, 1/2 red potato and 2 tbsps of fat free cottage cheese. Yummmmmmm! Sheesh, who would have thought I'd be saying good things about cottage cheese!
Am feeling focused right now and proud of myself for following up on my promise to another friend to do a support group. Through the OH Washington forum I've made a cool connection with Christine Gibson who has established both a meeting group and a phone contact group. I think of her as my weight loss mentor. It feels terrific to have one.
Another evening of freedom - freedom from overeating and drinking. Hallelujah. I am grateful.
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Tonight for dinner I had 2 oz sole, 1/2 red potato and 2 tbsps of fat free cottage cheese. Yummmmmmm! Sheesh, who would have thought I'd be saying good things about cottage cheese!
Am feeling focused right now and proud of myself for following up on my promise to another friend to do a support group. Through the OH Washington forum I've made a cool connection with Christine Gibson who has established both a meeting group and a phone contact group. I think of her as my weight loss mentor. It feels terrific to have one.
Another evening of freedom - freedom from overeating and drinking. Hallelujah. I am grateful.
12 days post surgery -- oh my!
Jan 27, 2009
I so praise Dr. Lopez and team, Beliteweight and Hospital Angeles for their excellent care of me. Dr. Lopez discovered I had a large hiatal hernia which he repaired before he placed the band and did NOT charge me anything extra for his efforts! I am very blessed. The hospital staff are friendly, the place is spotless with lovely artwork. My room even had a private terrace - no furniture on it but I'm sure a chair could have been found, if I wanted.
My recovery to date has gone well. No problem with incisions except understandable soreness. My energy last week conked out pretty early but I was able to go to work at least half days. Now I am a (still) big bundle of energy, although I weigh 13 lbs less since surgery. Hooray for that.
The liquid portion of the diet was actually easier than I had expected. What I am realizing now though is the progression into actual solid food is where my real work begins. Learning how to chew better, not drink during meals or for an hour afterwards (that one is harder than I thought). Particularly when in a social meal setting. I live alone so those meals are easier but chatting with friends and eating is going to take some practice.
The first couple of days after I came home, it felt to me like it must feel coming home from rehab! Now I have to face all my demons without the crutch / addictions I've used since I was 12 years old. Today though I got motivated and made some OH contacts to get support, have a plan to attend a support group, sought info about my local Seattle fill joint so I can belly up for a saline cocktail in a few weeks!
I am going to the movies tonight with friends and will make sure to have my dinner before I leave. Last night I waited too long to eat and was starving, so ate too much too fast. Not a good ... burp ... idea!
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My recovery to date has gone well. No problem with incisions except understandable soreness. My energy last week conked out pretty early but I was able to go to work at least half days. Now I am a (still) big bundle of energy, although I weigh 13 lbs less since surgery. Hooray for that.
The liquid portion of the diet was actually easier than I had expected. What I am realizing now though is the progression into actual solid food is where my real work begins. Learning how to chew better, not drink during meals or for an hour afterwards (that one is harder than I thought). Particularly when in a social meal setting. I live alone so those meals are easier but chatting with friends and eating is going to take some practice.
The first couple of days after I came home, it felt to me like it must feel coming home from rehab! Now I have to face all my demons without the crutch / addictions I've used since I was 12 years old. Today though I got motivated and made some OH contacts to get support, have a plan to attend a support group, sought info about my local Seattle fill joint so I can belly up for a saline cocktail in a few weeks!
I am going to the movies tonight with friends and will make sure to have my dinner before I leave. Last night I waited too long to eat and was starving, so ate too much too fast. Not a good ... burp ... idea!
Three days to go ...
Jan 11, 2009
Tomorrow evening I will do my grocery shop for post op foods so I am stocked up and ready to go. My neighbor loaned me her Magic Bullet blender which should definitely make "straw-capable" food easier. I sent another friend my contact list so after surgery (since it's in Mexico and everyone is in Seattle) my traveling buddy will only have to call her so that she can disseminate the news I am A-OK. Since I have been in law for 33 years, the one remaining pre-op task is to update my Durable Power of Attorney. Will do that tomorrow as well. Oh yeah, I need to pack too!
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In the beginning ...
Jan 10, 2009
Seems appropriate the first blog I should ever write reflects the latest phase of my life time weight gain / weight loss journey. My surgery is Thursday, January 15 in Mexico with Dr. Lopez.
Thank you, God, for I am blessed by such beloved friends and family; what a gift I have in my cheer team! And having a brand new email friend tell me about this website was another blessing. Thank you, Clare.
What has been the most difficult for me is publicly admitting I am fat, and facing the shame that I cannot do this without surgical help. What a laugh! As though my size 24 butt and underarms that could cool the Seahawks on a hot summer day were a secret. But I am 57 and cutting my life short if I don't take this step. There is so much more I want to do: more travel, more adventure, more time with my family, more time with my friends, more more more. And this time the "more" won't be food to fill my emotional black hole. With the help of my spiritual beliefs, support groups, friends and family, I trust that my clothes will no longer "runneth over."
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Thank you, God, for I am blessed by such beloved friends and family; what a gift I have in my cheer team! And having a brand new email friend tell me about this website was another blessing. Thank you, Clare.
What has been the most difficult for me is publicly admitting I am fat, and facing the shame that I cannot do this without surgical help. What a laugh! As though my size 24 butt and underarms that could cool the Seahawks on a hot summer day were a secret. But I am 57 and cutting my life short if I don't take this step. There is so much more I want to do: more travel, more adventure, more time with my family, more time with my friends, more more more. And this time the "more" won't be food to fill my emotional black hole. With the help of my spiritual beliefs, support groups, friends and family, I trust that my clothes will no longer "runneth over."
