Need to refocus...and use my tool(s)

I am grateful to discover this support group.  I am 7.5 months post op.  My appetite is returning.  My old habits are creeping in.  The end of January I will have another surgery to correct a large incisional hernia from my open RNY and a long journey to healing.  I am nervious about my inability to exercise while I recover.  I have the exercise habit down.  5-6 days a week I do a water areobics class before work.  3-4 days a week I go to the gym and ride 10 miles on a recumbant bike programmed to rolling hills.  I have returned to writing down my intake.  I think i need to start weighing and measuring.  Words of encouragement and support are welcome.  Ideals of how you handled the return of your appetite would be beneficial.  Helping me to refocus is my goal as I join the journey with you.  Blessings

Welcome to BOTT!!  I'm glad you've found us and hope you'll hang out here a lot.

You've really got the exercise thing down.  That is awesome.  I must admit that I wish I embraced it like you have.  I exercise but it hasn't been anything that I enjoy or look forward to.  I sure do wish that I did.  You've inspired me with all the things that you do.

For my intake, I use Fitday.  Do you know about it?  I used the free online version but purchased the computer download version and I like it a lot better.  I think from my dieting career with Weigh****chers, etc., it burned me out on recording my food.  When I use Fitday on my computer, it is different for me.  It is almost fun to use.  It has taken on an entirely different feel for me in recording my food. 

I read a study about how people that record their food (and activity) increase their success rates tremendously.  That also helped me to be more regular in recording my food. 

When my appetite returned, I was very concerned.  I really had to focus hard on feeding my body and not my head.  When my physical hunger returned, my head hunger accompanied it.  One of the hardest things for me was to make the distinction between physical hunger cues and feed those true hunger signals and not my head.  I had to remind myself that physical hunger is normal and healthy; when I feed my head hunger, that is not. 

I hope that helps and makes sense.  If not, let me know!!  LOL!  What you're feeling is normal and part of the wls process.  Use your surgical tool and make sure you're feeding your body and not your head.  When you eat, really check in with your body and pouch.  Visualize your pouch like you would the gas tank in your car.  You can eat to a 7 (with a 10 being Thanksgiving dinner stuffed feeling).  I try to hit a 6 to a 7.  I also eat when I'm at a 3-4.  That is also a strategy that has helped me.  1 is starving and 10 is Thanksgiving. 

Cathy

Welcome and I am glad you are here. I think your exercise routine is awesome! That is incredible and  motivating to me. I am trying hard to make exercise a habit, and one that is a welcome habit, one I look forward to. Keep doing what you are doing, keep posting here. Will it be possible to change your exercise as you recover, would you be able to walk during your recovery? That would enable you to still be active but not overdo it or hurt yourself.

Good luck!
Dottie R.

Thanks for your encouraging words.  I  have been talking with my water aerobics instructor about my concern and even fear of not being able to workout during my recovery.   Fear of regaining some weight.  She is helping me by designing a weight training program for upper body strength.  Yes, I will be able to walk.  That will be my outlet.  I want to have the hernia fixed so I can move on.  I am just not excited about having to have major surgery again, so soon.
Blessings on your journey.  Jackie

Hi Jackie!  Good luck on your hernia repair!   I had to wait almost 1.5 years for my repair and yes it was large from open incision.  In fact my abdominal wall was completely seperated and walking was the only exercise allowed and it was supposed to be slow.

I continued to lose despite the lack of exercise.  I am down to 170# from 360 without exercise.  I am finally cleared for exercise and that is one of my goals, to make sure I get enough in!  I want it to become routine, where I will miss it when it doesn't happen!

Are you having your panni removed at same time?  I ended up with a complete anchor tummy tuck with my repair.  My skin was not fit for anything else.

Good Luck with your surgery!