Thursday, September 15, 2022

Obesity is so complex. It helps to know we are experiencing the same struggles and trying to cope with them. The VSG was tremendous in helping get the weight off and keep it off in the first few years. And it is still a tool in terms of reducing portion size especially with dense protein. But, yeah, the hunger is back. So I think we are all super interested in what DD is exploring and what may happen with those new drugs. It really blows my mind that the diabetic drugs (GLP-1) aren't covered for weight loss but only if one is truly pre-diabetic or diabetic. Is there no realization that those conditions will likely follow if one continues to gain weight? I'm sure there is, but their cost/benefit studies mean that they don't want to cover them. BTW, my DS had to fight to get his omeprazole (aka Prilosec) covered by prescription even though he recently had an ulcer. Because it is now available over the counter, insurance companies don't want to cover it on their prescription plans. I don't remember that happening with advil, but maybe it was cheaper when it went over the counter?

Anyway, we are in steamy Florida sitting on the lanai, listening to the Florida birds. We will take a totally sweaty walk in a bit. I have to carry a wet facecloth to wipe my face constantly in this weather to keep the sweat out of my eyes. Not an attractive sight...

Glad to hear that CC and her Dad are doing well. She needed that break.

And btw, though I was disappointed not to get the cottage (it was just what I would like ultimately), I wasn't sad to have it not happen now. Hopefully something just as cute will come up that I can get without overpaying.

Today we need to unpack, get the lanai furniture out (the heavy stuff was already moved by the housekeeper), and figure out what other supplies are needed at the house. Not too onerous.

Have a thoughtful Thursday!

I am not sure about my hunger level. I can go without eating for many hours, if I am busy and occupied. On the weekends I often don't eat until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. By then I have legitimate hunger, but I'm not overly hungry. What I don't have is great restriction. I'm sure it's partially because my stomach is long, and I'm coming up on 11 years out from VSG. I was rather bemused the other day when Diane S. posted about eating TWO egg bites from Costco and being FULL. I have had those egg bites and believe me, I could eat 2 egg bites, some yogurt and fruit and a piece of toast and still not feel overly full. Yet, sometimes at dinner I can eat half a burger and be pretty close to full. Not sure what triggers my restriction. Protein does not seem to be the trigger. I can easily eat 5-6 oz of protein.

Unlike DD, I think my eating disorder is more psychologically driven than physically driven. I do know that I don't tolerate hunger or emotional discomfort well. In both cases food eases the discomfort temporarily. My NUT reminds me that losing weight will require me to understand that there will be some mild discomfort in the beginning and I will need to figure out ways to soothe that discomfort without using food. Hmmm..... I have A LOT of trouble figuring out soothing substitutes for IN THE MOMENT needs. Suggestions are always welcome!

I have a travel day today - One school in the morning and a different one for the afternoon. I like Thursday mornings. I don't have my first class until 9:15. My first period is free. Always nice to get to ease into the teaching day. I bet Diamond Diane understands that!

Hoping everyone has the day they need!

We've been walking every day. Feels good! And it is sunny and 63. Feels even better! I need to go mail my estimated taxes. Ugh. Painful. They include taxes for my house sale. Later we're driving to Harbor Springs to pick up my dad from his boat delivery day. I hope they're having fun as it's a long trip. Seems to be a nice day for it.

Peps and I have established that we're very similar eating issues-wise so I also fall on the emotional side. My eating is coping and soothing based most of the time. And once that pattern is established, it's hard to stop the eating behaviors when the stress/emotion has passed. It becomes automatic and feels "necessary" as if it's impossible to override. Then I require a wake up panic moment (clothes not fitting, seeing a candid picture of myself, etc) to readjust to healthier patterns. I would prefer not to operate at the extreme edges of the pendulum swings, but here I am!

Anyway, must dash to the post office. Take care all!

Such interesting discussions! I definitely can use food to self sooth, but when WLS tweaked the hormone issue/ relentless hunger, it was so much easier to deal with the emotional eating. That's why I think my primary issue is disordered hormones, but its not the only thing going on.

I believe what has stopped my total regain is my sleeves restriction. Its not a matter of discipline to eat smaller portions, I will get the foamies if I join the clean plate club. And my sleeve still helps give me that pleasing feeling of satiety without being over full. (Ie foamies) When I finish a right sized meal, I do not crave more, I feel satisfied. Its easy to turn down more food, physically and psychologically. But now I want to eat again sooner than I used to. And, of course, even though I'm still eating small portions, they are bigger than before.

Peps and CC, I wish I could share some of my restriction with you! Although, in light of my regain, maybe its not as valuable as I think it is!!

I'd also point out I know plenty of thin, thinner people who also use food to self sooth, but don't experience the same consequence of weight gain. Do they feel out of control with food when they eat a pint of ice cream when they're sad? Or is it only a bad thing when there's weight gain? So confusing.

And what do we think about eating because it's fun? Not because we're self soothing, or using food to cope, but because sometimes it's just so darn tasty! It feels good! Where does that kind of over eating fit into our sense of being in control or not?

Yes, I understand the joy of early prep, and easing into the day :) One year I had 1st hour prep, and while everyone else was running back to their rooms to start class after staff meetings, I was getting more coffee :) Also, if you can get an early doctor's appointment, you might be able to get by without using any of your sick time.

Liz, now that you've decided that a cottage is something you want, I bet you'll notice more coming on the market. This might give you a chance to really refine what ate the must haves for your cottage, and what would be deal breakers.

Diane, there haven't been any doggie romps through the neighborhood lately? Do you think your fence is now as you need it to be?

School continues to run pretty smooth. Thankful for small blessings.

The Topamax dosage starts out at 25 a week, then up to 50 for another week, than up to 75 if needed. I tend to be pretty drug sensitive. I definitely felt the sedating effects the 2 nights I've taken it, and I had a metallic taste about an hour afterwards. I'll evaluate whether my hunger/cravings have changed at all next Wednesday, after I've taken it for a week. I don't want to get too hopeful or excited. I've tried so many things, like Phentermine, which did nothing but make me crazy. After 2 days, I will say, anything different I'm feeling goes in the positive column. More to come.

"Now I want to eat again sooner than I used to". That is what is plaguing me too - I can't eat a lot at one time but I crave food too soon after the last. And eating for fun is of course an issue at my age. That's how we socialize!

Greetings all

Sun's out here but not me. At least not yet. I have been doing laundry as well as washing my own hair and letting it dry a bit before I go out. Big outing to the laundomat where I have to go to wash our bed cover. It smells like dogs. Wonder why?

This morning I sorted through all these coins had had in big jars so I would have enough quarters to wash the bed thing. This laundromat is so antiquated it only takes quarters. No cards. $7 worth of quarters to do the big machine. DH asked why did I not just go to the bank and get a couple of rolls of quarters. Its because I want these jars of coins to go away, thats why. Anyway I fill a pocket full of quarters to go do this which causes me to list to one side as I walk.

DD we look forward to hearing how you do with that medication. Sounds promising. Yeah eating as a form of self soothing is a deeply ingrained behavior. Probably goes way back to our parents feeding us to shut us up.. That and our parents being of the depression era where they did not always have enough to eat. However I think I was born with a super sweet tooth. My grandfather used to call me "lollipop girl" because I was given one when I was about two and held on to it for dear life. Or so he said. Interestingly, my sweet tooth has faded after vsg. I ate a cookie at the studio yesterday and could have had many more but just didn't want them.Kind of icky too sweet.

Liz there will be another cottage. Enjoy the walk even if it is sticky hot.

CC glad your dad is doing so well. A 13 hour sail! Thats a bid deal!

Peps I am like you - I often don't eat until noon or 1 on my free days which is every day. I have always been this way. I can't understand people like DH who get up and immediately start eating. But I know some people feel awful if they don't eat right away. The favorite breakfast of my late SIL was a can of tamales. Gross!!

I do think we may eat less at a meal than most people but tend to eat more often. Our stomachs empty out faster. Dr. C said it was ok to eat 4 or 5 meals per day but not ok to graze. Kind of hard to differentiate except that a meal is a plate on a table and grazing is consuming with the refrigerator door open.

Oh well, time to go to the laundry. Dinner tonight is something called white chili with chicken that looked interesting at the deli. I am betting it will be either horrible or fabulous and no where in between. Report later. Diane s

I make white chili with chicken a lot! Hope the deli's version is good.

Interesting that you mention that your sweet tooth has faded because mine has too. My whole family used to tease me about my sweet tooth - not for candy but for baked goods. But I find there are a lot of things that I used to love that are just too sweet for me now, such as carrot cake.