One Day Til Blast Off

I've started setting things into place for my blast off tomorrow.  I contacted Seattle Sutton and they will make my first meal delivery Monday morning, so I can start with their food for dinner on Monday evening.  I went grocery shopping yesterday and purchased enough food to get me from tomorrow through lunch on Monday.  My calorie range is going to be 1600-1800 (sticking closer to th 1600 side).  The food from Seattle Sutton will consist of 1200 calories, and I'll probably have a fruit smoothie during the evenings to give me the additional calories (will also be able to get my milk (soy) in by way of the smoothie). I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday for a complete physical.  I need to know exactly where I stand health-wise.  I sent her (my PCP) a letter yesterday to let her know that during my appointment I want to discuss my desire to lose weight and talk with her about what she can do to assist me in that endeavor.  If nothing else I can certainly go to her office once a month for an official weigh-in and to have her document my progress and discuss any concerns I may have.  I'm thinking about asking her for a prescription for an appetite suppressant of some sort.  She'll probably refer me to the Bariatric Department for that though.  I did tell her in the letter that I had seriously considered WLS.  Can't wait to hear what she has to say about that.  I also have to set-up appointments for other exams I've been putting off.  I've scheduled my annual mammogram for later this month, I usually have it in May.  I've been putting off a colonoscopy and a bone density test (once past 50 these tests should be done).  I'm 53 so I'm running a little bit behind.  I'm going to stop dragging my feet and make appointments for these tests next week.  I need to know exactly what's going on with my body so I can know what I'm dealing with. Hopefully sometime next week I'll be assigned a lifestyle coach at the Duke University Diet and Weight Loss Center on-line program that I signed up for this week.   Hopefully this coach can be a part of the TEAM OF SUPPORT that I envision which will consist of my PCP doctor, the lifestyle coach, and this group.  At least that's my plan. Decided that Saturday is going to be my weigh-in day so I hopped on the scale this morning -- 256.8 was the verdict.  I  have my work cut out for me.  I plan on getting some exercise in today -- gotta start somewhere.

Sounds like you have a terrific start! Things move very quickly when you stick to your guns-- I've lost almost 50 pounds now since March, and Bert here's lost a half-ton truck in that same time. Of course, we're bigger moose than you-- but then, I can safely say I was a lazier moose than most. Don't forget to move! It really does help move things along!

Yes, it was neat for me to have that wls conversation with my pcp, too, last March. He had supported two of my office mates to get it, so i know he is open to the notion (rumor has it his own sister had it with great outcomes).  Still, the reasonable person inside me knows that wls or not, complete lifestyle changes, or in my case, more consistent and fine tuned lifestyle changes, are needed.  I've thought some about what Andy said recently about "keeping wls in the back of my mind" as kind of an "out", and it makes sense. I have not completely ruled wls out for myself, so I do need to work on releasing the fear (or izzit permission?) of gaining again.

I am outwardly a major believer in as ye think, so shall ye be", but i guess I allow historical realities, the regaining, the return of sloppiness in habits, to remain in my mind.  I had re-read some literature my bariatric doc gave me recently, and the words "Obesity is a chronic disease." jumped out at me. That means it never goes away, it can only be controlled. I need to remember that obesity is indeed chronic and that it only follows that it will be aggravated when allowed to run rampant!

Thanks Shari. I did some gardening this morning and when I came upstairs I read your post.  It inspired me to go back down to the basement and workout.  I already had on clothes appropriate for working out, so all I had to do was slip into some shoes and off I went.  I haven't worked out in over 3 months, which is  absolultely disgraceful considering I have everything to workout with right in the comfort of my own home.  I did 20 minutes on the recumbent bike and a 20-minute upper body strength training workout.  I'm going to take it easy this time around and take it slow.  Too often in the past I try to do too much to soon and I end up burning myself out very quickly.  20 on the bike is enough for now, I'll eventually move up to 30 when I'm ready.  Congrats on your 50 pounds lost!! Neecee -- I have pretty much ruled out WLS for me for now.  My thing is that if I'm honest with myself I have to admit that so far I have not even come close to making a sincere effort to lose the weight on my own.  With the exception of short periods here and there when I have eaten right and exercised, I have eaten anything and everything I've wanted with absolute abandon.  The only thing that feels right to me now is to stop messing around and get control of myself.  If after I give it my all, I still can't get to a healthy weight, then and only then would I think seriously about surgery.  And, if that time ever comes, I would get the Band.  I don't want anything stapled, cut or rearranged, so I wouldn't consider anything else.   But that's how I feel.  Whether to have the surgery or not is a very personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves.