It's working -- it's really working!
It's been 11 days since my surgery and things have gone remarkably well. The soreness is gone, and so is most of the swelling. I'm into the routine of the 2-ounce meals, the water, and the exercise. Another mile today on the treadmill. I tried the treadmill to alter my routine. Listened to music and closed my eyes. The time flew by. When the sun is out, I relish walking outside, usually completely around the condo development here and back through a park next to the river. Sometimes I do that with music, sometimes I just ejnoy the sound of my own footfalls, the birds and the water and wind in the trees. Among the strict rules about eating the 2-ounce meals is to (1) take 20-30 minutes, savoring each bite and (2), focusing on the meal -- not TV, not at your desk, not while listening to music. At first, I wondered why. I vaguely understood that getting into a food trance in front the the TV was counterproductive. Now, I understand it a bit better. The act of eating has to be an event in and of itself, not part of the old routines that piled on the pounds and led to mindless overeating in the past. It simply must be separated, an experience of its own, exclusive from other activities. I discovered this today when I let up and had my lunch while watching a movie . . . I didn't even notice the food, just that it was suddenly gone. Never again. This rule, folks, is essential to long-term success -- just as much as is water intake, exercise and strict portion and protein controls. I also had a shock one morning this week. I looked in the mirror and at first wasn't sure it was me; my face is thinning out, slowly becoming angular after decades of roundness. It's working. It's really working.
(I've been blogging about this WLS journey. If you're interest: www.remims.blogspot.com)
