3 month check up

Hi gang Had my 3 month check up Wed with Dr. G's PA, Angie. Down 60 lbs, she was happy with that. She was happy that protein and fluid intakes are going well. She got a little grumpy that I am not getting all the exercise in I should. She almost had a stroke when I admitted to eating 4 peanut M&M's and 4 nibbles off of a Cheddar Bay Biscuit from Red Lobster. She asked about 'junk food' and 'breads'. That'll teach me to be honest....... She threatened to have Dr. G come in. Said he would "make me cry". Anyway, I came away from the visit feeling like a scolded 4 year old. And somewhat of a failure. But I got over it. I know the candy was wrong. And I wasn't aware that breads were 'off limits' (that is how it was implied, anyway). Will I nibble on an M&M again? Probably. Will I nibble the delectable Cheddar Bays at Red Lobster again? Probably. (will be a long time from now, I hadn't been there for 3 years, and I think only 4 times in my entire life). Knowing/thinking that there aren't any foods out there that are strictly 'off limits', is what has kept this such a positive journey for me, so far....... Starches make me crave sweet, just like before surgery, so I avoid them. I haven't had a potato for ages, or any bread. (I have a loaf drying out in the freezer). Crackers, unfortunatly don't affect me that way..... So Wheat Thins are my enemy..... Mom went with me to the appointment and we discussed it afterward. Angie had said that instead of the M&M's, I should have had yogurt or something else to snack on. But yet aren't we suppose to be changing our behaviors/eating habits???? 3 meals a day is what the sheet says. Well, substituting the yogurt for the candy doesn't change the behavior, does it? And at the support group meeting, the psychologist said that we can't beat ourselves up if we 'fall off the wagon'. I don't know........ sigh......... BUT, on a more positive note, I asked if they could recommend a decent tasting vitamin. They gave me a sample of Optisource, an orange flavored chewable. Take it 4 times a day. BUT it replaces Iron, Vit C, B12, Calcium, everything except the B1. And it tasted good too. More orange flavor, than vitamin flavor. (unlike my Centrum) Says on the bottle you can order it from Walgreens. I think I will look into it. Anyhoooo.....I am happy with my progress so far. I have picked up the exercise a bit. Hope everyone has a good week end Hugs Sheila

Sheila, Don't beat yourself up about the scolding. I think she was just trying to scare you. Yes, it is a lifestyle change & we need to make wise choices but really, nothing is out of bounds. Of course, if you were to be in the habit of eating bread all the time or nibbling on M&Ms (I had a few tonight!) I can pretty much predict that you will not get to your goal, or at least not as soon as you want. But we all make those choices. If this were a perfect world & we were perfect, we would stay away from those nasty foods. But then again, if that were the case, we never would have gotten to this point anyway. I visited Janie in the hospital when she had her surgery. It was just a few days after my son got married. We were talking about the reception & I mentioned that I had eaten half a piece of cake, my first taste of cake in 5 months. Janie commented that she felt that at some time eating cake woud not be all that unusual for us. Just then Sherri Greenwood, the co-director of the program, walked byJanie's room & heard what we said. She came into the room & scolded us, telling us that it was not to be in our diets ever again. Well, once she left, we decided that was not realistic. We had to live in this world & that included eating in this world. As long as we didn't overdo it, then ocassionally a piece of cake (or M&Ms, or biscuits) can be eaten. Obviously, I don't do it everyday but I have been known to eat a bit of cake at times. They are serious about the exercising though & I have to agree with them. You will see the best results if you take exercising seriously, but they don't expect you to spend hours each day. Just a 20 minute walk will suffice. I don't enjoy exercising. I never have & probably never will but I do it anyway. I have found things to do that I enjoy and I try to do them. Your 60 lb loss is so good. Keep up the good work & you'll be at yor goal in no time at all. Dixie

Hey congrats on your weightloss! 60 pounds is great in only 3 months! Bet ya feel like a new women already. I agree with Dixie, We have to exercise and Angela is just trying to keep us on track. I am not perfect by any means but I don't like to get my behind chewed. Just keep your head held high and just try to exercise a little more. I think you've done excellent with your weightloss! Congrats!!!! Kim

way to go on your loss Sheila Hard to believe it's been 3 months already. About the yogurt, it's a good healthy food for you, I love the stuff. I buy Blue Bunny Lite 85 or Carb Freedom. Takes away the sweet tooth cravings. I also (thanks to Janet) buy the chocolate chewable calcium by Spring Valley (Wally World) & for me that really takes away cravings. Try mixing a little lemon juice with your water also for another sweet tooth craving substitute. Fruit 2o is kind of spendy but I like it, same thing. Bread is something I cut back on but still have. Have found hamburger/hotdog buns don't agree with me but if they are toasted on the grill I can eat them, problem is they are such a filler I try to avoid them. Bread also lasts here forever now & it never use to. Hon, you are human, I nibbled on a few m&m's not long ago! I just don't want to fall back into the habit again. I live on sunflower seeds, kind I have to shell on those days I feel like I need to be putting something in my mouth. You are doing fine & remember you are human & may fall off the wagon from time to time. Don't beat yourself up instead pick yourself up & get on with it. You know the things you should or shouldn't have. I won't even try one potato chip, it was the biggest downfall of life I had. I just know if I try one I'm going to go back to my old ways again. Even cooking at the bar with all those fries they don't even look good anymore! Have I nibbled on them? Sure have but I don't enjoy them like I use to...wonder if it has something to do with that little voice in my head telling me no no You are doing great, keep up the good work. Hugs Carolyn