When your life isn't all about food anymore. What is it about?
On September 25, 2009 at 7:48 PM Pacific Time, sparkling_dawn wrote:
I guess that's the question I get to answer. I knew my life pre-op was food centered, but I never realized how much it was food centered. No wonder I never had any hobbies. All I did was eat.
I dated myself today. Lol. I took myself to a movie. Shopping. The bookstore.
When I would "date myself" in the past it always involved food. I would go to Fazzolis and get breadsticks and chocolate mousse. I would go to Olive Garden. The mall and get a pretzel. Or to Target snackbar.
That's what I did. I would go out and sample food from multiple places.
Today I was out for hours and had to make myself go buy some babyfood to eat in the car.
It's strange.
And uplifting.
To finally feel "free" of food.
There is a lot of life I've been missing.
I know exactly what you are talking about. I completely and totally relate.
When I first had WLS I suddenly realized I had soooo much time on my hands. My world did not revolve around food anymore. I didn't obsess about it, think about it, go buy it, spend time eating it. I had all kinds of time on my hands. I started reading more, I learned how to cook basic foods (I was the fast food queen). I make all my own beans from scratch instead of canned, I only use fresh produce. I go shopping, out with friends, I have all new hobbies now vs. a food obsession.
Life is grand, eh?
it sounds like you are being good to yourself now because there is so much to look forward to for one thing. You are more awake, alert, active and aware of what is going on around you. Before wls I just plodded along and it was a matter of getting thru the day to look forward to going to sleep at nite. Today I wake up early and say to myself ok Linda what are you going to tackel first and I do it where as before I would procrasinate. Now instead of involving myself with food I try to make up for lost time. Yes there is alot we have been missing so get out there and seize the day!
This is such a great question/thread. I am still trying to answer this for myself. I LOVE to cook, so I have been searching for new recipes that are WLS friendly. I also walked around a fabric store yesterday and thought about learning to quilt or knit.
I also feel "free" of food, but there are times when I really really miss it still. I hope that goes away with time.
I also feel "free" of food, but there are times when I really really miss it still. I hope that goes away with time.
I had the same realization when I was early out. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I did not realize how deeply ingrained "Food" had become into my life. It was not just the actual food but the entire eating event. I felt pissed for what I had done to myself, lost and mourned the loss of my old friend...... this is where some people get their depression from. I am glad that you are able to concentrate on the positives that this journey has to offer.
Needless to say, this entire process has given me a new found respect for what I put in my mouth. Every bite counts, but (at 10 months out) I don't obsess about it as much as I did newly preop. It just becomes your New Normal.
Keep up the good work.
Needless to say, this entire process has given me a new found respect for what I put in my mouth. Every bite counts, but (at 10 months out) I don't obsess about it as much as I did newly preop. It just becomes your New Normal.
Keep up the good work.
mammab
You are so right..
I have less than I year for my masters... I have been focusing on other things ... I haven't focused on myself in a long time.. and food has always been my comfort when I could not achieve and when I felt like such a failure.. we'll in the last 3 mos. I have started on my masters in Science.. I also found a perfect hobby.. and is healthy for me.. I mountain bike.. except that my favorite spot has a problem with mountain lions..LOL so just pray
DAWN that I don't get ate this morning.. LOL
GLAD THAT YOU ARE FINDING YOUR WAY!!
I have less than I year for my masters... I have been focusing on other things ... I haven't focused on myself in a long time.. and food has always been my comfort when I could not achieve and when I felt like such a failure.. we'll in the last 3 mos. I have started on my masters in Science.. I also found a perfect hobby.. and is healthy for me.. I mountain bike.. except that my favorite spot has a problem with mountain lions..LOL so just pray
DAWN that I don't get ate this morning.. LOLGLAD THAT YOU ARE FINDING YOUR WAY!!
Lisa 
I get every other Friday off, so before surgery, I had planned out what I was going to have to eat for that day. Breakfast burrito in the am, out to lunch with a friend, or a fast food burger, and hubby and I would go out for dinner. It was a day of out to eat pleasure. After surgery, when I was back to normal, my first Friday off, I had a panic attack. I was scared that I would do that again, knowing deep down I would not, but it was like the realization that was not my life (thank God) any more, and I am glad. I see food as just to live now, not to live to eat. In fact, the other day, I was talking to my daughter, and realized I had forgotten to eat dinner the night before. I know, not a good thing, but I got busy working on a project, and time got away from me. Before surgery, that would have never happened. I am feeling so good about myself and my body, and I think it shows in my daily life. Keep plugging away and all will work out!
Read about my journey on UCLA's Bariatric Website:
http://bariatrics.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=47&ref=11&action=detail
293/255/199/165/142 Highest Wt/Surgery Wt/GOAL #1/Goal #2/Current
GOAL #2 REACHED-March 3, 2010, Breast Reduction-Sept 9,2011
http://bariatrics.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=47&ref=11&action=detail
293/255/199/165/142 Highest Wt/Surgery Wt/GOAL #1/Goal #2/Current
GOAL #2 REACHED-March 3, 2010, Breast Reduction-Sept 9,2011
I guess that is the question I need to ask myself - What is my life without food? I am still thinking about it alot - what can I have? How do I cook it? What happens if I am out? I do not know how to "treat" myself because it has always been about food. This is all so scary for me and there is no one in my personal life that I can talk to and even have it make sense.
First we are here for you! This is a great site for friendship, support and advice. I would be lost without it! I started searching for websites with recipes that are for WLS patients and the food actually looks good! One of my faves is:
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
For me, planning is key. Especially in the beginning. I made out my shopping list for 2 weeks, with a menu. Variety is key for me too...I get tired of chicken and tuna. But there are other options.
I have eaten out a few times and just been careful to eat things I know I can have.
*hugs*
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
For me, planning is key. Especially in the beginning. I made out my shopping list for 2 weeks, with a menu. Variety is key for me too...I get tired of chicken and tuna. But there are other options.
I have eaten out a few times and just been careful to eat things I know I can have.
*hugs*
Summer!!!
i got to tell you how much i admire you girl!!!!
you are so well grounded and really have a great grasp on this....
i wish i could be more like you....
i dont go out...
im afraid of ppl in r/l
and the only hobby i have is shopping (which is not good right now)
girl, you have really got it together and i think that's just awesome!!!!
hugs
p
i got to tell you how much i admire you girl!!!!
you are so well grounded and really have a great grasp on this....
i wish i could be more like you....
i dont go out...
im afraid of ppl in r/l
and the only hobby i have is shopping (which is not good right now)
girl, you have really got it together and i think that's just awesome!!!!
hugs
p
pam 
"sometimes at night, i see their faces, i feel the traces they left on my soul.
those are the memories that made me a wealthy soul."
Bob Seger
1976
"sometimes at night, i see their faces, i feel the traces they left on my soul.
those are the memories that made me a wealthy soul."
Bob Seger
1976
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