This is the first day of the new year, yes, but it's also day one for me of my two week optifast diet prior to surgery on the 15th. Day one of getting my life back, of becoming a healthier me.

Thankfully I have a very busy job, and I know the next 2 weeks will fly by, and surgery day will be here before I know it. Then the real work begins. But, I will take it all one day at a time, and with the help, support and knowledge that is in abundance here in this forum and all of OH, I can do nothing but succeed!

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year, full of love, health and happiness .

Angie

I can totally relate. My surgery is scheduled for January 18th in Toronto (My youngest daughters 11th birthday) and I am also on day 4 of optifast (and feeling super crappy) and I am wondering if I am making the biggest mistake of my life ... I know I am not and that this super scary time will pass and I cannot wait to be on the other side of this - on the losers bench as I have seen some call it. But it is scary. We hear the worst in the news and online because they like to sensationalize everything but the reality is this is a safe, proven and effective way to lose weight and become healthier than we would be staying the course were all on! I don't know if I would ever classify myself as "ready" as I'm sure there's always going to be something that we could have or should have done but as long as you are following your doctors plan and have met all the criteria and are learning and practicing new ways to deal with stress and all the emotions that come along with such a big life change then you will be just fine!
No one said it would be easy but I'm sure it will be worth it!
Good luck! I hope you post updates as I'll be following to see how you're doing!!

- Jenn

Ooops, good afternoon!! :)

I went to the grocery store last night and forgot to get more formula for the little nugget -- I would run out by Wednesday... So we braved the grocery store to pick some up. It was totally nutters there. The line ups were huge. Thankfully this encouraged me not to wander so I didn't come home with anything extra.

Other than that I'm officially on strike today and declaring a day of doing nothing. I'm staying home tonight and going to bed at the regular time. So boring these days lol. DH is going to his brother's house and staying overnight, so it will be extra quiet.

I got an instant pot for Christmas so I'm thinking about trying to make bacon and cabbage for dinner. There are way too many recipes. Any favourites I should try?

Post-op three years and nine months.

Breakfast - protein shake

Snack - melba and pb, banana

Lunch - kielbasa, cheese, crackers

Snack - Greek yogurt and blueberries

Dinner - bacon and cabbage

Snack - pudding

Maybe a midnight treat ;)

All water and vits.

Thank you so much. We are all in this together and we all deserve respect and compassion. This is a hard road with bumps and other stuff along the way. It can be a very emotional journey and the more support the better. :)

You've made it through most of the holidays now. You've made some good choices and maybe some not-so-good choices. New Year's Eve will be here soon. Use the tips and tricks you've learned along the way to finish your year on an up note. If you're going to a party, bring a WLS-friendly dish to share. Make a point to take small bites and chew thoroughly. Use a smaller plate. If it's a buffet, let someone you trust put food on your plate and bring it to you. Don't drink with your meals. Plan things to do with your hands other than eating: knitting, puzzles, games. Don't skip one meal in anticipation of the next. Remember, small choices matter. What a great way to kick off your new year.