Getting ready.....

I am preparing myself for the new year...

I am tired of gaining back the weight I worked so hard to lose...

I am starting to feel fat again... clothes getting tight, feet hurting, and with this new knee gaining weight is absolutely the last thing I should be doing...

I have a physically semi-demanding job... that is, I am on my feet all day... so that should be helpful a little... better than a desk job eh....

I have to decide what program to follow...

I have that same old fear of being hungry... afraid of feeling deprived i guess... you know, the one major problem the surgery didn't help with...

So, all you intelligent souls... I value your opinions completely... what "program" should I follow?

Lay it out .... spell it out... I am serious about this new year... have a new knee, a new job, and I want a new outlook to go with it...

Love ya!!

As a relative newcomer to this site and this board, I still have seen you exhibit much strength and humor dealing with your unemployment.  It seems to have served you well.  My advice:  go with with that strength and know that I have joined your legion of fans.  With a new job and a new knee, you have a lot going on.  Go back to post-op basics and don't  forget to breathe.  You'll do great.

The one thing I find that always works for me is accountability.  With those who care.  In this case, the OFF.

Hey, just wondering, did those new shoes do the trick for you?  If so, what brand were they?

Hey George,
NOT MARC, however I have feet problems and the BEST SHOES in the world are Merrill or Rockport. Never had a pair yet that didnt feel wonderful.  Try them next time your out and see.
In Tennis I can also wear the New Balance runner but still doesnt touch the other two..
Now am curious what Marc got as well .
Shirley

They are Red Wings... the guy at the store said I could wear them at work to try them out, and if they were uncomfortable bring them back... couldn't pass up that offer.

The Red Wings have the widest toe area of any steel toe shoe, and that's apparently what I needed. So far, they are good. I don't think there is such a thing as a comfortable steel toe shoe, but at least these don't hurt my feet or pinch an any way... my feet still are sore at the end of the day, but I don't think it's the shoes fault.

Hi Marc, I can't give much advice except to share what I am going to do come January 4. 
I am going to use Fitday to journal my intake
I am going to cut down on the "extras" I eat
Stick to getting protein in first then fruits and veggies
In other words, getting back to those basics. 
The beauty of this tool is that it is stil there ready for us to use it! 
My thoughts.  Good luck to you! 
Debbie G who went shopping yesterday and the size she is currently wearing is a tad too tight but the next size up is too big and decided she wants to fit this size, not go UP!

Marc,

Plan ahead for each hour of the day. Get in your water, protein first, cut out the non-essential carbs.

I find that eating 5 mini-meals a day keeps me from being hungry. Often the meal is an apple dipped in melted peanut butter.

So you don't feel deprived, find something which is SF, LF and especially yummy to you. My treat is SF pudding & SF Cool Whip. It is MINE and I don't share. It's a mental thing that makes me feel good. They fix our tummies, not the brain, so much of the trouble seems to center in the brain.

Keep track of when, what and how much you eat and drink. Are you actually hungry or bored and thirsty? Is there a pattern to your hungries?

Brush your teeth often. I find that my mouth wants a flavor, not food. The toothpaste helps and my teeth get all sparkly clean too.

I have discovered that eating breads, potatoes or pasta stimulates my appetite, so I avoid them.

You have so many changes going on in your life. That can be unsettling. Baby steps, one at a time, but get back to basics.

Need help? We are here for you.

Annette