Reflections on eating a $1.50 of food a day for 5 days

So most of you have heard me whining...er, talking about my poverty eating challenge this week. Today is the last day.

While I am ecstatic about that, this experience has really changed me in ways significant to my post-op process. Not only have I learned that even I, too, can do hard things, but I also learned:

1. I eat too much and try to force too much food through my little pouch (which does still work btw)

That was the big lesson. Day one was hell but it was mostly hell in my head. I thought about food ALL DAY. But once I focused on WHY I was doing this (to become more aware of the lives of the extremely poor) and I just plain told my head to shut up, I was actually pretty ok. Today, on day 5, I don't feel the desire or inclination to snack between meals. I have gotten hungry and that's usually when it's time to eat, but otherwise I tried to listen to my body. And my body feels so much better for it!

2. The Energy Myth

Calories are indeed units of energy BUT I didn't need quite as many of those units for activity as I was telling myself. I can't stress this enough: the story you tell yourself about this process is important!!! I was telling myself the story that I needed these mega-calories to work out and do my regular activities (well...mega-calories in our world at least). I managed to walk and be active this week and thus far have not managed to break 600 calories a day. I wanna stress this: I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR SUPER LOW CALORIE MEAL PLANS. However I am also not advocating for eating "extra" to fuel up for things. My body had energy sources. It used them. I am fine.

3. The night eating monster!!!

Many of us battle with this. This week I had to face it. Because there were no snacks. I had to fight to keep three meals under $1.50 a day. It was hard but got a bit easier each day. Yesterday I didn't feel mu*****lination to eat after my dinner. And on this one I'm reminded of something my my mother once told me "ain't nothin' to it but to do it." That's what it turned out to be here. I just had to have a catalyst not to eat after dinner. But once I stopped doing it, it wasn't so bad as I thought it would be. Of all the parts of this regimen, this is the one I hope to keep going.

4. The fluid myth

This turned out to be a myth for ME. For you, your mileage may vary. But one of the stories I told myself was that the minute I started drinking after a meal I'd get hungry. For me, I think the "hunger" was more of a psychosomatic response or suggestion. I said I would be hungry and my body took the suggestion. This week I have had lots to drink and was fine and not hungry. See, how that'd play itself out in my normal life is I'd hold off on drinking until right before time to eat. Inevitably I'd sorta get enough fluid but I sorta didn't. Again, this was a myth for me...Nikki....four year post-op. 

5. Accountability counts

I am a big advocate for food journaling. I know some are not but then I also see some of those same folks posting, wondering about why they aren't losing or even gaining. Aside from knowledge being power, it's one way of holding yourself accountable for your eating. I knew accountability had to be a part of this challenge for me because I can swing severely to either side: I can grossly overeat or I can be downright anorexic. Neither is healthy. So whatever you do to stay accountable...posting your eats, logging them, checking in with others, it works!

So those are a few WLS related insights. If anyone has any questions about how I felt, what I ate (although I've been posting it) or anything else about this challenge, I'm an open book!

Thanks for enduring me this week.

"Thanks for enduring me this week."

You're welcome! You have been HORRID! j/k

I admire your effort in the challenge. And just look, you didn't starve to death or anything! A lesson for ALL of us, and thanks for sharing it.

 I did this challenge in my religion and food course in the fall! Granted, I was months and months pre-op and hadn't even really decided on surgery so I had it a lot easier eating unhealthy foods. 

Imagine having to live every day on that small amount.

I do it. I have had to do it for years. I am so glad that lots of people are taking this challenge. I'm sure it's been difficult for you, it's difficult for me too.

You ought to post on your blog what you ate each day. It would help to give lots of us low income people ideas on new and tasty things to eat!!! Trust me i'd love some new ideas.

This is very interesting to read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the challenge. If I was further out, I would consider taking it. I'm assuming 6 months out is too soon though right?

I am very interested to read more formal info on the challenge. Do you have a website or information?

Thanks for sharing. About #5.... I was gaining, so I came back. Being accountable to what I put in my mouth was a big step towards turning the regain around and making it undo itself. It's one thing to eat a bit more than I should (and watch the ounces rack up day after day) and another to talk about fighting regain and STILL overeat.

OH keeps me honest with myself, and as always I do better when I'm a frequent visitor, then when I go it alone.

I couldn't do the diet you did, ever, my protein shakes alone cost more than that.