Wednesday 911, 611, 411 - BOTT

Hi BOTTers,

I kinda changed the title for our 911 post.  There are days that I don't feel like a 911 when I post.  There are days when it is a yellow caution light (611 - needing to report in) or to share information with all of you (411).  So whether you are in a 911, 611 or 411, please join this thread daily.  I know for me, it has helped just to check in as to how I'm feeling and what is going on with me. 

I am putting together a Weight Loss Purpose Statement.  Part of the process is listing words and phrases that describe how I feel when I'm off track and making unhealthy food and exercise choices.  I'd like your help.

I was talking with a close friend about weight loss and decided that just like successful corporations and businesses have vision statements and mission statements, why not have a weight loss purpose statement?  Something I can use when the kitchen is screaming my name, I'm eyeball to eyeball with a cookie or chips.  So, my thoughts for creating a Weight Loss Purpose Statement for something that will remind me why I am worth more than some stupid temporary food choice.  The reasons why staying on track are more than a number on a stupid scale.

Please share either here on this thread or send me an e-mail ([email protected]) with any thoughts and input you have.  This is very important to me and while I can think of some of the things, I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of.  The common experience of being morbidly obese, having weight loss surgery, and developing new, healthy coping strategies are something we share. 

BOTT POWER,
Cathy

Hi Cathy! The 611 for me today is I'm on my third day of prednisone treatment (out of six) for a pinched nerve in my neck/upper back and starting to feel a little more "HUNGRY!"  It's not crisis and I'm making sure I eat enough and spread it out and make good choices.  Of course, stress and tension are triggers for me.  I have a binge issue and sometimes I can feel it coming on for days or weeks before I snap and eat massive quantities of nasty bad carbs.  I feel like crap when I do it, and yet there is a relief sometimes too in just getting it over with.  Does that sound crazy? Or has anyone else experience this?  There is guilt and shame, and usually dumping and prayers telling God I'll never do it again if I just make it through to feeling better again. 

Hi Indykitty,

I feel your pain.  Seriously, I actually share your pain.  I have a herniated disc in my neck/spine and struggle with it on and off.  My neurosurgeon has told me that spine surgery is my only option but the possible complications of a wheelchair don't interest me.  I am so sorry you are going through the same thing because it is so limiting. 

What you describe isn't crazy?  It is part of our process of managing our emotions and coping with situations.  I do somewhat you do and I know it is to deal with anxiety.  It takes the edge off and makes the anxiety more manageable.  At least that is what it is for me. 

I hope you feel lots better very, very soon.

Take care, Cathy

Hi, all.

I'm not clear on what 911 means but it must mean we need help? I am trying to get back on track and part of that is protein shakes. I hated them!! Today is my first re-trial and I feel better already!! Is that possible or all in my head? I have been off them for years, now, and have been dragging through my days. Life has consisted mostly of going to work or sleeping. I'm taking B-12 shots and my iron looked ok last time...according to my Dr. (I live in a small Wyoming town and my WLS Dr is out of business so I have to rely on the counsel of Drs who are uninformed about WLS.) Anyway--! Things are looking up. I am back. My question is this - Could the lack of protein be causing this excessive tiredness? I have been through tests and everything to figure out what the problem is. Could it be this simple???

DUH!!!

Cindy

Cindy - I am dealing with feeling tired all the time.  Coffee, other stimulants do not do much for me.  I can drink a very strong coffee and go to sleep right after that. 

There are a few reason for feeling tired:
Major are:
depression
Low B12
Low iron
Low proteins
Low thyroid
low Blood pressure
adrenal deficiencies

Only testing all of them  - you may know what is wrong.  And "normal" levels does not mean nothing - you can test "normal" but feel bad - what is "normal" for one person  - can be a too low level for you.  i.e. I think my iron is low - since my ferritins are only 11 (norm is 10-90).  But - 6 months ago my iron was app 30, and I felt better.   My RBC are in lower level that -IMO - they should be for me to feel better.

My BP is low - so when i combined all of the info - it is not individual number are are a problem - but most likely a combination of low RBC, low BP, low body fat %, low thyroid, and some depression - that is causing the problem.  Having reactive hypo and reacting really badly to carbs  - almost any carbs - makes matter even worse (I get really, really tired after eating almost anything - it may be a sight of insulin overproduction - dumping) 

So - I probably confused you more that you were before. 
Ask the doc to fax you your lab results not only the latest one  - but all previous.  See if there is any downturn trend  - if if there is - you know you need to increase that mineral or vitamin.  

Good luck.  

HI BOTT
My 411 for today is that I'm back.  However I have not gotten back to my regular good routines.  I have not been posting my food intake though I am keeping a mental check. 
Today was the first day to get back on the scale.  Thank God   No weight gain from vacation. 
Goals:
 1. Get back to basics, drinking water, exercising daily and taking vitamins
 2. Make wiser food choices and limit cookie intake.
Hope all of you are well and on track.

Z

I'm tired today! I was on call last night and didn't sleep well. Couldn't take all my meds so I didn't sleep real sound waiting for the phone to ring! I'm not feeling much like journaling or being BOT!
I overdid it this afternoon on Beef Jerky! Guess it could be worse! Yesterday was a muchie day. I just couldn't get enough to eat because I missed my dinner break because I was so busy at work so I went 12 hours without eating.

I was down 1/2 lb this morning so I can't complain. Just having one of those days!

Thanks for being there all my BOTT friends! Going to get my journal and write!
Janie

Hey Janie,

I think you did fabulous!  Seriously.  How long ago would a day that you "overdid it" be on much more and unhealthy choices than overdoing it on beef jerky!  It shows how far you've come.

Way to go!!  Thanks for sharing with us.

BOTT POWER!!
Cathy

Hi Z,

Welcome back to your BOTT home.  We're glad you're back. 

Vacation and NO weight gain?  You must have packed some BOTT POWER in your suitcase. 

Welcome back.

Cathy

I think the reason I'm off track the last couple of days is that I'm tired. Last night I was worried about whether I would get called in or not. Work has really been on my mind. I work in Critical Care unit at the local hospital and it can be a very stressful at time. I'm getting ready to go on dayshift. That is concerning me because it is very chaotic on dayshift. I just have lots on my mind and don't know what to do with it all. My daughter has a good friend who has leukemia and I have a friend who may have ovarian cancer. So i guess I'm stuffing my feelings with food! I tend to do that. I guess that's how I got to be over 300lbs 3 yrs ago before surgery. I have always coped with my feelings with food. My mom always would tell me that I needed to get over whatever was bothering me and let it go. Good advice if you're a hermit! I grew up in a house where feelings were never expressed. She was raised by her father who probably told her the same thing!  She did the same thing.....stuff things with food. This is getting too deep. My therapist is this board and I guess I just had to share. I know that's probably how most of us got to where we're at.

Thanks for listening my BOTT friends!
Janie