Advice from grads w/ non-traditional jobs

Hey folks. I am 6 days post-op and starting to get a grip on the enormity of changes I need to make. The conclusion I have come to is that it only took me 3 hours a day to be fat. It is going to take 12.5 hours a day to make me fit.... as-in:  - 64 oz water at 8 oz per 30 mins = 4 hours. - 5 meals at 30 mins eat, plus 30 mins before and after w/o fluids = 7.5 hours - Then I need to add time for regular workouts = 1 hour (Please don't modify my doctor's instructions as a solution) I'm a person with an erratic job who has never had a regular schedule to rely on for a routine. I'm a fabulous multi-tasker in business, but one of my reasons for success is rolling with the changes, rising to the newest challenge, juggling the fires. ( AKA being inconsistant.) I am just not sure how much focus this is going to take to accomplish. I can produce a lot of focus, but in areas I'm not so good at it limits how much other work I can do at the same time. (Laundry - I can only do laundry if I just do laundry. I can't do anything in between loads, or I end up with moldy wet clothes that need to be re-washed. Does this give you the point?) Obviously I haven't been good at an eating/drinking schedule. What I realized pre-op is that I have lived dehydrated and since getting my water in can now distinguish between thirst and hunger, mostly. I'm not a snacker or evening eater. Not fond of sweets much. For me it has been about choice an portion and lack of pre-planning. We are all smart people. We knew what it takes to lose weight, and I couldn't make it happen w/o surgery. Obviously this is my Achilles heal and I am going to have to put rather much focus into behaving properly. What I would really appreciate from all of you with erratic, over-stuffed schedules, is advice on how you were able to work the new lifestyle in, schedule and/or streamline things. Item one for me is to learn to NEVER be without a bottle of water. But I do need to learn how to make progress on the water. All help appreciated. Hope I've made my request clear. Thank you!

Hi Lisa! I don't have a job like that but I am a busy mom of 2 boys that's always volunteering and living with a  very hectic schedule alot of the time.  I agree that keeping a bottle (or bottles) of water with you at all times is so important. I find I can be driving and get a bottle of water down really easily. I just like to keep a case of water with me so I can grab one when needed. I also always carry the crystal light sticks in my bag so they're always handy too.  Planning ahead or keeping healthy snacks handy helps too. Things like nuts, cut up veggies, etc~things you can do in advance so you don't have to think about it more than once a week. If I'm heading out for the day I will grab a banana and some peanut butter to take along (obviously you're not eating these things so early post op, but you will be in time). Try to make sure you always have something with you so you don't fall into the trap of grabbing whatever is there or letting yourself get so hungry that you eat anything.  In the beginning it seems like all you do is think about your water intake, food schedule, etc. I remember wondering when I would be able to get up and not have to jump right into thinking about my food schedule for the day~it seemed pretty overwhelming in the beginning. But as you get further out things seem to fall into place. You get into a groove and just know from experience what you're going to need for the day without having to overanalyze it. I also find it easier to eat the same things from day to day~that really limits my thinking, lol, b/c I already know how  many cal I'm eating, how much protein I'm getting, etc. Good Luck!

Thanks Tracy. I appreciate many of the things I see you write on the board. It does seem SO overwhelming right now. And the worry of 'yet another failure' looms in my mind. Rationally I know this is different, for life and permanant. My Mother-in-law is here helping me this first week post-op, and she also suggested that it would be easier with time and once I get onto solid foods, but said I should check in with ya'll at OH :) I just need some more reinforcement that with time I will find my groove... Thank you.

Dear Lisa, I have a job that is pretty regular, so can only sympathize with your situation.  You can still plan ahead for your protein though.  Have you found any protein bars that you like?  Those are easy to carry around.  And nowadays, they make so many small serving convenience foods--tins/pouches of tuna or chicken, string cheese, yogurts, etc.  Take advantage of whatever you can to help you have what you need at hand. But also, if you are like many busy people, you have some kind of electronic device with a calendar and alarm system (i.e. cell phone, blackberry, etc.).  Create a schedule for yourself that reminds you to eat at a regular time, take your supplements, etc.  One benefit to eating on a set schedule is that it helps your body avoid the starvation syndrome.  It knows it will be fed in a couple of hours once you develop regular eating habits.   Even busy, irratic people need to take care of themselves.  Maybe this is a time of life to claim that for you.  I only ate three meals not the five you plan.  But I spent the time relaxing (knitting) which helped me to eat and chew slowly thereby avoiding the pain caused by going too fast.  So even with five meals at 30 minutes each, you are still only talking about having to be still for 2 and a half hours a day.  That's not so bad. Really, you are right when it comes down to it.  Being healthy and taking charge of our lives takes a lot more time and effort than mindlessly eating and not exercising.  But we get the results we work for.   Best of luck with getting your head wrapped around all these changes! Sally

Hi Lisa: I had a job much like yours when I had surgery.  I just want to warn you that your body and emotions will go through some pretty tough times when you go back to your schedule. They were calling me  and I was going into work just 5 days post op.  It was very difficult for me to handle the job- plus all of the changes with my life and body....I was a crazy woman. When they say this will be a life-style change they really mean it!  I have NEVER been very emotional, I am a problem solver, a multi-tasker, I get everything done. When I went back to work I was in tears within two weeks. I have never had anxeity in my life but I was paralyzed.  I saw  a conselor from my employers Employee Assistance Program.  I finally came to the conclusion that I could not cope with the pace of my job without food.  Previously if something was horrible at work- I would go out with co-workers and eat or drink to self-medicate.  There were peanut M&M's or Doritos for the road trip, late night trips to the Dairy Queen on the way home etc. Once the food was out of the picture I could no longer cope with the job...just couldn't.  Emotions are high, the estrogen was through the roof!   I had my period the entire summer. Three months after my surgery I took a new position within the same company and it was the best thing I could have ever have done.  I am so happy, I have time to excercise, to see my family, to shop for all the new clothes I need.  If I would have stayed in the high demand job I know I would have been on medication or found my way back to bad habits.  My advise to you is plan or everything but know that you might find the pace to be overwhelming and that it is normal to have those feelings.   Good Luck!  

Hi, my name is Kim and I live in my car....well, that's where my office is, anyway!  My hours vary from day to day -- but I usually work somewhere between 7am and 11pm.  I workout early in the morning, or the middle of the day or late at night.  Sometimes breakfast is at 5am and sometimes it's at 10am.  I have found a way to be inconsistantly consistant! I keep a gallon of filtered water in my car at all times.  You can get a cup of ice at most convenience stores and some are free.  Crystal Lite To Go packets are great for travel.  I keep snacks that aren't affected by temperature in my car: nuts, beef jerky, high protein bars, etc.  You can get Campbells Cup in Hand soup and many carryouts, also.  I eat many meals in my car between appts on the freeway -- beware! of this, though, as you may end up eating too fast.  This takes practice and patients to perfect.   I bought an eliptical machine, a palates video and have been seen walking in the early morning darkness and snow!  Class and gym hours don't work for me with my weird work schedule and the rural area I live in.   You CAN make this work but you will need to figure out what works for you.  You will screw up.  Learn from those mistakes. Be kind to yourself as you find your path.  Good luck and let me know if I can help! Kim

I have a job, I provide day care for my grandkids and I go to school. So I guess you could say I am busy. I work  long days at  home and on the job. My schedule is different every day of the week. I most definately do not put 12.5 hours into my health routine, and I do eat 5-6 meals, drink my water , take my vitamins , exercise, etc.  while I am not drinking before and after my meals i am doing other things. i do not sit with a timer counting the minutes.  NO ONE has the luxury of having the time to do that. when I am drinking I just sip between other activities.  when I am at work and cant necesarily take 30 minutes to eat several times during my 12 hour shift, I eat things I know I can tolerate eating a little faster. IE yogurt with bran buds, cottage cheese,  soft mushy foods that I dont have to worry about chewing as much. Is that ideal, no, but I have to do what i have to do. I have to get my work done and I have to make sure I am nourished for my health. Life goes on  after surgery.  Once you practice getting into a routine after a while it becomes 2nd nature. It takes less thought on an every day basis..  IE  In the morning before I go to work I prepare all of my food for the day, pack it and take it to work with me. (yes I plan ahead and shop accordingly and prepare foods the  night before that are packable)  I keep bottles of water everywhere. I cannot eat outside of the break room at work.  There is no food or drink allowed at the desk - period. (OSHA rules) I drink a 20 oz bottle of water before work while driving to work. I drink another a little while before lunch. I drink another in my car on the way home from work. It definately does not take me 30 minutes to drink 8 oz of water. (did your dr really tell you that?) Today (I was off work) while I was working out I drank 32 oz of water during my 45 minutes on the elyptical.  and another bottle of water on the way home from the gym. another bottle during class and am finishing another before bed. Yes there are a lot of adjustments to make, but I think  you are making it too hard for your self.   I dont know what kind of work you do, but perhaps you need to schedule yourself a little to what you can plan ahead.  I only mean this in a nice way but do you have ADD or ADHD?  that makes it difficlut for you to multitask and / or be organized. If so ther is also help for that. you may need some outside help to deal with all of the issues you have going on.  HUGS!!!!

Thank you all so much for helping me with this. The reassurance and coping ideas are very helpful. One week later I am doing okay. I'm already starting to think about my solid food diet and how I can streamline it / regularize i****er is getting to be more of a habit, yippie!  Not diabetic, but I am having some trouble with low blood sugar since I can't get in many calories yet - this happened when I tried to get out and do some errands - it took me out of my pattern. It looks like it will just take time. Thanks again!