Good Morning September Losers!!

So how is everyone doing this very cold day -- at least here in Virginia!! It's another good day for us to move forward on our weight loss journey. You know, I've been doing tons of reading on WLS, as I know many of you do, and although the timeframe can differ depending on who writes the article, it appears that we have at least six months to really make a BIG difference in our weight. I know that can vary by person depending on the amount of weight to lose. But it makes me realize that I have to make the most of every day. That these days are precious as far as doing everything right and just helping to make this happen. It would be nice if this were the 'silver bullet' amd we could just sit back and relax and it would happen. It sort of feels that way sometimes when you know you haven't exercised, or had all your protein or water, but I think this is definitely the time to put those good habits into place. Why am I telling you this - because I needed to write it down for myself!! I need to remember that every day I have to try to hone in on the old habits I may be falling back into. I do not want to ever regain this weight!! I can do a few things now that before were impossible -- oh, simple things like tie my shoes, put on nail polish on my toes!! But these things are important when you couldn't do them before - plus so many others. We are so lucky to have this forum to give our thoughts, and concerns, and ask questions. One of the big questions that I continue to have is about eating! Eating is something that I will NEvER forget to do. Maybe it's because I grew up poor and food wasn't that available, so when I could have, I made sure I got it. But I am so interested in what time people eat, how much do they eat, what do they eat, when do they have protein. All those things are interesting to me and I usually print out the responses so I can re-read them -- time and time again. I'm a slow learner!! I hope everyone has a great day today! love donna

Most excellent points, Donna. I think we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to get the best out of this surgery. Let's face it, we all put everything on the line to go through with the surgery. We faced death, serious complications and much more to get lives worthy of our loved ones. Don't we owe them, and ourselves, the very best of our ability to inact real change in our lives? We've got about 6 months for the massive change, and another 6-12 months of much slower but progressive change to our being. After that, we are at risk of gaining back weight. The surgery has not changed our habits, just our ability to execute our habits. This is the time of change for us all, and we need to make the changes we need to live this new and healthier lifestyle we've been granted. As for what I eat, I really concentrate on the protien, but being diabetic prior to surgery I was doing that already. The only change is when I eat my protien, which is first and foremost and completely. Then, if I have room I'll eat something else. I eat 2-4 ozs of protien at a time, as often as I can. (By protein, I mean food high in protein) Usually chicken, but last night I had Beef. I'm just starting to get that full feeling, which is nice. Before this week, I never felt full, and would tend to take that one bite to many. Now I know when to stop to keep myself from feeling sick. I trust that feeling. I nibble on cheese and drink milk for snacks throughout the day. Helps with both the calcium and the protien. Cheese is my new best friend, and skim slices of American are my link to food sanity. Good thing I wasn't one of the ones who developed lactose intolerance after surgery. I drink water constantly, and had gotten quite good about working out, but that has since gone down the tubes. It's Christmas, and I have to make a choice about time with the kids and time at the gym. Kids have been winning, but I'm gonna have to get back to the gym later in the evening after the rugrats are in bed. Even if just for an hour or so on the elliptical machine. I dropped from 6lbs a week to around 3 or 4 since being at the gym.

Hi Michael, thanks for all these good hints!! I still haven't felt the full feeling, but I'm hopeful that may happen in a week or so?? Also, what do you mean that you get protein 'as often as you can'. I always worry that, even though it's protein, I'm snacking and that's not good, so I feel guilty. Maybe I should bump up my protein eating!! I understand about the kids making demands around this time of the year! Although I don't have any at home at this time, I remember it well. Keep up the good work!! donna