Amusing myself in a NON food way

I think we live parralell lives...

I had a huge missing gap in my life after surgery that I was not 100% prepared for, good news is that once you start questioning it it will work itself out.....so you are ahead of that game, the drive thru took 9 months to get over, I was never safe in the car especially alone, hungry or tired...I got sick many times in the car from eating things I shouldn't.....

TV time at night had to change big time, I now drink a big glass of crystal light or water and fold laundry at this time....also figuring out your trigger foods early on and vowing not to have them in the house is huge.....I am constantly jumping up from the couch all night long and doing this and that, just to keep from going back to old habits...I also changed my snacking habits from chips and cookies to fruit and cheese or small amounts of popcorn or a cup of tea or coffee, note this would not have worked for me before surgery only since...

I have lost 205 lbs and am 1yr and 2 months out of surgery, I am a testament that it can be done and the fact that you are cognizant of what you need to change and areas that are a problem in your life are signs that you will work them out..I did see a private terapist for 6 months after surgery just to make sure I kept on track and knew that I was on the right track for a healthy and happy future....

Lori, AMAZING weight loss. Congratulations. Thanks for the advice. I't's good to hear from someone on the OTHER side of the weight loss. Do you just sit around a bask in your lack of fat?? I can't imagine not having this big ole belly. It feels so gross sitting on my legs. UGH.

The pre op therapist mentioned the need to do as you did and NO****ch tv or do other things that I associate with food. I'm watching some tv but in a different room of the house and I am popping up at commercials to do chores or a few exercises. I'm OK for now with the not snacking while watching tv.

I think I managed to go a whole week without hitting a drive through. I've been cooking more. Veggies are abundant right now and I've finally learned not to cook them to mush. I never knew what to do with a cooked veggie other than put butter on it and salt and pepper. I'm using olive oil and garlic now and some spice blends from Penzeys. VERY good veggies. Some I've roasted and some I"ve sauteed.

I've also discovered Fuji apples. They are MUCH better for eating than other apples. They are crisp and sweet. YUM. Good snack.

Some days i do bask in my lack of fat, other days I am very critcal of my new problem areas and hanging skin...it is all a mental head game....I do bask in the facxt that I can and do do everything I never could before, like clean my whole hose in an hour and run up and down stairs a hundred times a day...and spen a whole lot less on food...I feed a family of five for the same amount of money that the two of us used to eat not including meals out....my husband had gastric also, so I have great support...Life is so much happier now I can't tell you..no more aching tired feet, no more back aches, no more leep apnea machine...no more anxiety about will there be a chair zi can fit in...


Spices are a wonderful thing....use them all experiment...also using broth or stock instead of oil adds so much flaver and sauce to things like chicken, without adding tons of fat...I keep a chicken and beef stock on hand at all times...and also cooking wines...also another way to add different flavors to the same old boneless chicken..I thought I loved food before surgery, but now I actually taste and savor my food and love it even more because my relationship has chaged with it...I no longer abuse it, I no longer eat for the sake of eating, I eat for the nourishment and the enjoyment of good food, If it is not good I don't eat it and am ok with throwing it away, yes I said throwing away food, happens all the time...never before..

Good luck on your journey, it is an awe inspiring experience and one I would do over again in an instant, I now have my life back...

Oh and by the way, i am still 240lbs...well into the overweight catagory, but would be happy if I never lost another lb...I am in a size 16 and an average size woman, for the first time since my teens...

Very helpful post, Lori. Thanks. I'm hoping for 200 as a goal, but 240 will be fine if I c an move and DO things. I need to fit into an airline seat as my kids are far away.

I hope you will NOT be critical of your problem areas. The fact that you have more energy and movement is wonderful. You are a SUCCESS story in my book: big time!

I like the spice idea and also broth. I just bought some white wine for cooking, but haven't used it yet. I watch the chefs on tv and how they deglaze a pan. Cool! With this weight loss I'm doing now, I'm discovering that I'm not as attracted to sweets or breads, but I really love a good salad or well seasoned chicken breast. I'm trying to learn to cook fish or scallops, but I have a ways to go with this.

I think the quality of life can be really good as we deal with this major issue.Thanks again.

I go shopping.  It's a relaxing way to exercise.  All that walking around big stores is good for you!

I agree that shopping is good exercise and I'm so heavy that I'm ordering lots of stuff online. I love love love Amazon. Right now shopping in a big store makes my back hurt and I break out in this major sweat, which I don't understand as I am post menopausal. Anyway, I might try GRADUALLY introducing "retail therapy" into the mix. I have to be careful, though, as I am not very disciplined with money OR food and I don't have unlimited funds. I need to acquire a taste for LOOKING but not BUYING.

I too find your post quite amusing.  It made me smile on a stressful day yesterday. 

I am awaiting surgery also and have lost some weight .  I have my last appointment for cardiac clearance on Sept 9 so I am hoping to be released.  My top weight was probably around 450 and I have managed slowly to get down to 388 lbs.  I can feel a difference and have a little more energy and can walk little further.  I have so many problems with my lower back and knees as you have and it is hard to get much exercise in for now. 

I just struggle with food.  I went to Chilli's last night and got the 2 for 20.00 with hubby and I pigged out on chips n queso dip and 1/2 of desert.  I just feel disappointed in myself.  It seems even after surgery many fight with wanting to overeat.  And I realize this is just a tool to help empower me to get started and jump start the weight loss.

Keep your crazies up it is great for me out here in NC!  Thanks