Good Thursday Morning

Good Morning Everyone,

Huge headache this morning.  I took my allergy meds, and am waiting for them to kick in.  Argh.

I have chores to do around the house, after my headache clears.  Laundry, unpacking to finish, tidying, and definitely vacuuming.  Utley's shedding clumps of fur.  Argh.

I'm glad to see Vickie back.  Also glad that Butch is doing a bit better.  Hope Carrie's visit for Budder's birthday is fun.  I'm sure Butch will enjoy that.

Prayers for everyone.

Hugs,

Trish

Hi sistas!  I will post my regular letter in a minute, but first just wanted to share something my surgeon, Dr. Garth Davis, posted this morning on FB.  He's at a conference of bariatric surgeons this week and is posting all sorts of interesting things.  This one really resonated with me.  Even after WLS, the choice of what we eat is still with us. 

Hunger is very complex. There will not be a magic pill. The pathways are so redundant and complicated. The take away point is that hunger is controlled in the parts of the brain that control breathing and heart rate. In other words, hunger is NOT a thought process and is not a lack of will power. If you go on a calorie restricted diet your brain will not let you succeed, just like you won't be able to drown yourself.

This is important because I see so many people who feel like a failure when they gain back weight from a diet. I also see people fat shame others and tell them to just a eat less, not realizing that there are complex hormones that control hunger differently in different people.

The key is to eat low calorie density food that is high in nutrients so your brain feels that it is being fed. Eating processed carbs and fats can overwhelm the stimulatory side. And deliver way too much calorie density.

Again, eat high fiber foods, lots of fruits, veggies, legumes. This works very well. And don't be so hard on yourself. Obesity is truly a disease and disorders of hunger have nothing to do with will power.

Thanks for sharing this, Vickie.

Dr.Davis is a wonderful surgeon. I read everything I see written by him!!!

I have a problem....we are told to eat protein first, about 3-4 ounces, Then we can eat fruits and veggies and things like that. After I eat the protein for lunch I don't have a lot of room for veggies and fruit. Usually I try to have my fruit as a snack in the evening. I have dinner in the evening but I am just not very hungry. I make myself get my protein in and if possible some veggies. Protein (60-80 grams per day)

How are you getting this all in????

My appetite has changed. I have just noticed this in the last month or two. Maybe it is just me getting older. I really don't know. 

Love you much....HUGS.....connie d 

Hi Connie!

Well, to be honest, I really don't eat much meat anymore.  Some, of course, but I eat mostly beans and kale for my protein.  That's because of Dr. Garth.  He really pushes a vegetarian diet after you get past the first 12 months of WL.  My biggest problem is simple carbs.  I love 'em!  I love bread.  I love baked goods.  And God knows I love sweets.  If I would just cut those out of my diet, I would lose another 20 pounds.

But I try very hard to eat fruits and veggies first, and just a bite or two of meat second.  I am still in the 170's and have been here since my WLS in 2011.  No significant regain.  (But no more loss either.)  

This morning we had breakfast at McDonald's.  I had the oatmeal and ate about half of it.  Then I had 1 bite of Butch's sausage biscuit.  I ate a plum at mid-morning.  But then I just ate 3 slices of cranberry walnut bread.  They are very small slices, (and it's really bread, not cake), but still I just can't seem to do without the carbs!  Now I feel guilty because I should have had something healthier.

For supper tonight we are having black eyed peas (protein), squash casserole and baked sweet potatoes.  No meat.  

Dr. Garth says that too much meat as a protein source is inflammatory and bad for our bodies.  Protein from plant sources is better.  And he absolutely forbids protein drinks and protein bars!  I know you use those.  I don't know.  Maybe it would be worth a try for you to give up meat as a protein for awhile.  Maybe it's affecting your fibro.  He is quite adamant about staying away from meat and regaining your health.

Love you!

Hi Vickie... I eat more seafood, fish, chicken or turkey. I rarely ever have red meat or pork of any kind. I also eat a lot of beans. They are really good here about having different bean dishes. I eat a whole lot different then I was eating. I get my meals paid for so I do need to eat here. I am pretty careful of what I chose. 

I never take the bread, corn bread, or buns. I try to stay away from high starch veggies too. I never take the desserts except they just had Pecan Pie a couple days ago....that is my all time favorite pie!!!!  I take a bite of it every day...it is wonderful! We only get small slices. Thank goodness!!!!

I love you...HUGS sweetie.....connie d

Okay, not to burst your bubble, but Dr. Garth hates chicken!  He's very anti-chicken.  He says modern poultry is raised under such conditions that it makes it very unhealthy for us.  These are not the lean yard birds of yesteryear.  He will condone eating a bit of fish or shellfish occasionally, but no red meats, no pork, and no chicken!  

Well, I still like a good steak and will eat one periodically.  And I like BBQ and I like pork, too.  I don't eat a lot of chicken, mainly because Butch doesn't care for it much so I don't cook it often.  

Sometimes I remind him (Dr. Garth) that we have two kinds of teeth and we are both carnivores and herbivores.  I will never convince him and he will never convince me!  LOL!  But I have greatly increase my consumption of fruits and veggies because of him.  He makes a lot of sense.  And unlike a LOT of regular doctors and WL surgeons, he is not fat!!!  LOL!  He's lean and trim and practices what he preaches.  Kinda hard to argue with that.

I'm glad you have your occasional treat like pecan pie.  You know what I miss the most?  Ice cream! I just can't indulge in it.  Gives me the dumps every time.

Love you sweetie!

Good afternoon Trish and everyone......

Trish...I am so sorry you are dealing with an awful headache again! You poor woman. I hope the meds have helped you some.

Housework and laundry can be overwhelming at times. Especially when you come back from a trip. Everything needs to be done at once! Take it easy as you are not feeling well.

Have a good rest of the day!!!

As for me....I just came back from lunch. We always have such good meals here. Lots of variety and so balanced. I never can eat more then half my meal. I am missing cooking!!! I always have too many leftovers to finish up!! 

Carrie and I had a wonderful day together. I love spending time with my daughter!! We had a wonderful meal at "The Olive Garden". There was so much food. I have enough left over for two more meals. I may have to freeze some of these meals. She stayed until about 4PM and then had to get back to a meeting.

I went out earlier this morning and finished up another puzzle with my neighbor. I have a meeting to attend at 2 PM. It is about fraud and the elderly. Then the September birthday party is this evening. My days just fly by!!!

Wishing you all a great day!!

Prayers for our sweet OFF Family. Special prayers as requested.

Hoping Judy is alright. They have been having some awful weather!!

Lots of love  and hugs  to all....connie d

Hi Trish and Connie and all my OFF sistas!

Well, we've had another eventful morning around here.  Got a call from Chris this morning just before 8 a.m.  More car trouble.  Those poor kids.  I swear they have a little black cloud following them around.  I won't go into all the details, just suffice it to say there's never a good time and never enough money for car trouble!  I've got to go back into town and meet her around 5 p.m. when she gets off work.  Bleh.

I was late for my haircut this morning, but Stacey didn't have another appointment after mine, so she didn't make me reschedule.  That's good.  I am wearing my hair super short these days, but I just don't want to have to mess with it.  I wa**** comb it into shape and let it dry.  It's so easy, and I have enough care-taking to do right now.  I simply don't want to have to blow dry and style my hair!  

I am trying to do some laundry today.  I've stripped the sheets in two of the guest bedrooms and I'm washing them and remaking the beds up fresh for Carrie and her boyfriend this weekend.  I already did the guest bath towels first thing.  I need to work on my floors some, but with all the car woes today, I doubt I get to those.  I'm feeling way behind.

And geez, I really need to do a little yard work, too, but the hell with it.  It's 99 F outside and I just can't do everything around here all by myself and take care of Butch, too.  Something has to go, and I guess the yard is it.

Connie, I was feeling guilty for eating that bread for my lunch, so I just ate a half cup of beans.  I'm too ready to make the excuse: "I deserve this".  I always do that.  I have a bad moment, or a bad morning, or a bad event, and the first thing I do is run to food for comfort.  Well, at least I didn't eat Snickers or Milky Ways this time!  LOL!  And I'm so glad you and Carrie had a nice visit together.  Leftovers are GOOD thing for us!  I love being able to get 2 or 3 mini-meals out of a restaurant meal.

Trish, sweetie, so sorry about the bad headache.  Oh, I hate days that start like that!  I hope you're feeling better this afternoon.  

Judy, waiting to hear from you!  Watching the weather forecast last night.  Geez.  Hope you are all right.

Love everyone else, but need to keep moving so I won't take time to post more right now.

Love you all!

Hi again Vickie.....so sorry about Chris' car trouble. I remember being young and things were always happening like that too. It was so frustrating. I hope it is an easy repair!! Sorry you have to run and get her. Awww

I am sure you do way better then you think you do with eating. Don't be so hard on yourself. I know you're doing the best you can under such stressful cir****tances. I really wanted one of those darn "Ice Cream Snicker Bars" at lunch today...I was good and didn't eat one!

The problem with leftovers is that I get some everyday at lunch, seven days a week. They can add up fast!! I haven't cooked in weeks. I miss cooking and always have. 

Take good care of YOU!! Prayers for you and Butch.

Have a good weekend with Carrie and her boyfriend this weekend. Please don't overdo. 

I am worried about Judy too...she did a little posting on Facebook but nothing about the storms. I hope they missed her area!!! I hope she checks in here soon!!! 

Love you always....HUGS.....connie d

HI Trish and my OFF family:

I'm taking a sick day: Must be something in the air. I have a bad migraine. Not quite throwing up, but nauseous. Plus very sleepy. I know we're shorthanded and I should go into work, but if I get into the car and drive, I will throw up. So I'm staying home. I've tried Imitrex, Vicodin, my TENS unit, ice and Vicks ... nothing has worked. I don't have any decongestants and I don't want to go out and get any. Probably will take a nap after the White Sox game is over (hopefully soon ... they're winning now but it's only 1-0). 

I guess we all think differently about our protein sources. I like my meat and cheese, and don't ask me to give them up. I get my protein in that way, you get yours in your way. I know many who believe it's better to go with non-meat sources of protein, but I'd rather not do that. I respect those who believe that. I just choose to do otherwise. 

Not much else happening here. Have a good day everyone.