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vdewberry's Blog
 

Insurance Question

Hi I'm new here, I love this site its great! I'm planning on having the surgery in a few months, I'm having to do the 6 month dietary program that my insurance requires me to do. I have BC/BS of AL. I wanted to know if there is a certain amount of weight I need to loose in this 6 month peroid? I havent lost any. I may have put on a pound or 2
vdewberry

vdewberry

2
Soon to be me's Blog
 

Just Saw And Felt The Results Thus Far!

For someone who is known for finding the silver lining in any dark cloud, an eternal ray of optimism for her friends and family...I sure am a Debbie Downer when it comes to matters of self. I have been so negative, so hard on myself about this sleeve since I got it. Its as if i choose not to trust it, and have faith in our success together, in fear of failure. When it comes to weight loss, i think all of us VSGer's have come to know that feeling at some point in time. I've thought that its too good to be true..that im eating too much at one time, that my sleeve is stretching etc, etc. Im four weeks out, and as of monday i am down 18lbs since surgery. 28lbs since the start of the process. i should be celebrating that, instead of scrutinizing it. So tonight, I went into my bedroom, and pulled out the little clothes. Particularly, my work scrubs. I fought myself, thinking, "do you really want to do this to yourself?" "Your not going to fit in those things girl, you couldn't get that one pair of pants over your thighs!" They ALL fit!!! I had two pairs, that i bought small. I wore them things like a second skin. I actually wore spanx with them!! LOL!! I was so mad that i didnt try them on at the uniform store, that i tortured myself, and made myself wear them to work anyways. I wore them twice..Once a pair. My weight was around 236 then..where i always would seem to get stuck. Let me tell you..they fit PERFECT!! Im soo stoked! I had other articles given to me, that never fit, and Im rocking them! Even the size Large Dickies pants that I couldn't get over my thighs..fit perfectly! Im so excited..It was so awesome to actually see, and feel the results! for the first time! Im going to come back to this post, when i start with the doubting..and remember that this is for real. <3ing my sleve!
Soon to be me

Soon to be me

6
happygirlvalerie@yahoo.com's Blog
 

Starting Over

Hi, I am new to this - I had Lap Band Surgery Jan 9th, 2012 performed at a Blue Distinction Center by Dr. Robert Shin. I am not new to this . . . I had Gastric Bypass Surger 10 years ago. I considered it successful because I lost 120 pounds and kept it off for quite some time. I started noticing back in 2008 that I was hungry all of the time and began grazing. I started gaining weight and had much guilt and felt like a failure. Tried to diet without success - even started back on diet pills and yoyo dieting, My origional surgeon had quit performing surgeries and was no longer available to me. I researched the internet and there was not much information about revisions. I wanted to try the band and I found a surgeon to do it. So here I go again. Started at 222 lbs and thus far have lost 11 lbs. I go to my first follow up appt next week, I am starving - I have not had a fill yet and I am scared to death about the fill. I am afraid of this not working. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
jennifer1's Blog
 

Just Crusing Along

Hi all! Nothing really new to blog about, just thought i'd check in. I think this restriction is great! The only frustrating thing is never knowing when or what i will be able to eat. I have given up on breakfast..just enough liquid to get down my medication. I have found i dont ever eat what is considered a full meal, therefore i try to make protein my first choice. I sat down and calculated that from my heaviest weight ever i have lost 51 pounds and 35 since being banded. WOW! it's amazing how i look back on old pics and i'm just embarassed actually. it's definelty a motivation to never go back! New goal is to hit that 14 by feb 14th! LOL! I think this weekend i'll buy something in a 14 to see how close i am to making it, hopefully it will be motivation and not make me cry if i'm too far off. LOL!
jennifer1

jennifer1

2
sunshineinbama's Blog
 

Banana Split Truffle

I ran accross this dessert recipe that i'd like to try on special ocassion and like to share with you all...   Serving size: ½ cup Recipe makes: 20 Ingredients   1 sugar-free angel food cake 2 packages sugar-free banana instant pudding mix 3 ½ cups skim or 1% milk 15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries, divided 1 medium banana, sliced thinly 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained 8 ounces sugar-free whipped topping, thawed 1 Tablespoon sugar-free chocolate syrup Directions   1.) Using your hands, tear a part half of the angel food cake into bite-sized chunks and place in the bottom of a trifle bowl (a 9x13 inch glass pan would also work!) Set aside. 2.) In a medium bowl, beat together pudding mixes and milk until mixture is thick and pudding-like. Add ricotta cheese and continue beating until evenly mixed. Layer half of the pudding mixture on top of the angel food cake chunks. 3.) Now you will simply be building layers: take 1 cup of the sliced strawberries and layer them on top of the pudding mixture. Then, add a thin layer of the whipped topping onto the strawberries. Next, make a full layer using all of the banana slices. The next layer will be the second half of angel food cake. Tear into bite-sized chunks and layer on top of the banana slices. Smooth down the rest of the pudding, and lay all of the pineapple tidbits on top. 4.) Finally, cover the pineapple tidbits with the rest of the whipped topping. Put the last ½ cup of slice strawberries on top in whatever decorative fashion you desire (or, none at all!) Drizzle on the sugar-free chocolate syrup, and you have a masterpiece!
sunshineinbama

sunshineinbama

2
smiley2604's Blog
 

The Journey "just Do It"!

It seems like just yesterday I stumbled upon vertical sleeve talk and I became obsessed. I read all the blogs and looked at all the pics. Finally it was my time to have my surgery and it all became real. I thank those who prayed for me and those who emailed me to checkup on me. I am proud to say after five months that I am now 153lbs and I was 211lbs at the start of my journey. I know 211lbs may not seem like much but I am only 4"11 tall. The sleeve has transformed me from a size 18 to a size 10 and I feel great. Now I won't say it has all been peaches and ice cream cause that would be a lie. I have horrible heart burn after eating spicy food, I still can't drink alot at a time, and I wasn't prepared for the rapid diminishing of clothes in my closet that fit. I literally stood in my closet the other day and wanted to cry cause I couldn't find anything to wear to work. I didn't know if they were tears of joy or frustration. I can say one thing and that is I wouldn't change anything for the world. I often think when I was young I took my weight for granted and I treated my stomach like a trash can but now that i have been given a second chance, I think twice before I eat something. To all of those who are contemplating it Like Nike says "JUST DO IT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
smiley2604

smiley2604

2
Helen the Cat's Blog
 

7 Month Surgiversary Today!

I can't believe it has been 7 whole months since I was sleeved! It has gone so fast! And yet it seems that right now time is moving SO slowly! I know that you loose most of the weight in the first year, and I am SO anxious to loose the last few pounds I have to go. And I am getting nervous, knowing that I am over half way to the one year mark, when I will stop loosing. I want to get those last few pounds off while I still have time.   This past summer (when I was living/working in California) I swam for an hour every morning. Since moving back to (cold and frozen) Iowa, I can't swim on a daily basis. I joined a work out center last week, but am having trouble getting there on a regular basis. I work 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, so evenings are out, and I sleep during the day. So have had to confine my work out times to my days off. I NEED to get off my rear end and get to the work out center on a more regular basis! The sad fact is that joining and paying your money does NOT do anything for weight loss or toning, IF YOU DON'T GO AND WORK OUT!!!   I also am trying to come to terms with what I am eating. To often I figure "will I can only eat a couple of bites of it, so I can't do THAT much harm, so might as well eat it.", instead of trying to eat healthy. I don't want to be one of those individuals who loose dramatically and then gain most (or all) of it back! I have a very good life long friend who had a Roux N Y done 7-8 years ago, and now has gained back almost all of her weight. I don't think she changed her eating habits a lot, and now she is stuck with a weight gain back to her (almost) original size. She is such a good friend, I feel so for her. After all she went through to have the surgery and then to gain most of the weight back!   I LOVE to bake and cook, so it is a daily struggle not to eat what I am baking/cooking. I am trying to follow the rule "always get my protein first". But some days the pastry, or cookies, or cake, etc seem to be shouting my name as loudly as they can! I know I have to STOP, but some life long habits are SO hard to change!   The good news is that I SO love being a Size 8, and I don't want to endanger it with weight gain! I also love all the compliments I have received on my weight loss since the surgery. I don't ever want to weight 258 pounds again!   I am beginning to think that maintenance is harder than weight loss! The loosing period has been a relative breeze, it is the whole maintaining thing that is going to drive me crazy (and believe me, crazy is not a far trip for me!).   Anybody have any good tips for maintenance?
Helen the Cat

Helen the Cat

1
I'm in control now.
 

How Can Time Stand Still And Race By At The Same Time?

I'm so very anxious to get my sleeve so time is CRAWLING by. But of course, there's the nerves and the jitters, which makes time FLY by. Will I be ready? Is my liver shrinking enough? I mean, I haven't even gotten to my Dr's requirements - they haven't started yet, but I started on my own doing a very very low fat/low carb diet. I know know know I can do this - but it always crosses my mind - the typical fears and phobias. I do not like being put under. I'm a control freak and I'm not in control if I'm under anesthesia. (Yes, I know I'm not in control if I'm not under general too but the feeling is there!)   I weighed myself this morning - 372.2. I can't wait till that first number is a 2, and then a 1. That will be lovely The feeling of better health that I will get when all is said and done almost seems unreal. To get back to feeling like myself. I have been obese for 4 years. Before that, I was the epitome of health - little did I know, I had something genetic lurking that would change all of that.     I've attached 2 pictures of myself - the one titled 2006 was just before I got diagnosed. I was a size 8-10 depending on what brand of clothes I was wearing. I was running 5 miles a day, lifting weights 3-5 times a week. I was so healthy. It can change in an instant. The second picture was at my brother's wedding with my now husband. I was a 10-12 in that picture. But I looked good! More importantly, I felt good. This was right around when I started running. I want to get back there.
circa

circa

0
BrownDoesAll's Blog
 

Inches Melting Away

I was sleeved Nov 8th 2011. So I'm about 2 months out. Since surgery I've lost 23 pounds. I feel that is slow loss, my Doc says its right on track. They expect me to lose 5 - 10 pounds a month. So I'm not discouraged, I'm in it for the long haul. Learning how to eat and lose as a lifestyle. I'll admitt I HATE excersise and hope I can lose weight without adding excersise.   What I am excited about is the loss of inches. In those two months I'm down two pant sizes and that really feels good. I'm getting comments about my weight loss,which at times is a trigger to eat more, but i'm learning.   I'll take the slow weight loss and the fast inches lost. Feeling good about the sleeve. I can eat what I want, or should I say I can eat what it wants. Sometimes I feel deprived from carbs, but I'm determined. Eating the protein first, then the veggies, theres typically no room for carbs so I'm good.
BrownDoesAll

BrownDoesAll

2
mscarla123's Blog
 

The Fill Questions

So I go to my Surgeon and get a fill on January 3, 2012. The process my surgeon use for the fill is one of yet a complicated one. After sticking the needle and thing in, I sit up on the side of the bench then he withdrawals the fluid. My guess is to measure home much I have in. Then he places it back while I am drinking water. During that process he asks me does that seem to stick or does it rolls smooth. After the first or second yes or no I am completely confused on what rolling smooth is and what’s sticking around. LOL.   That being said... Since that fill I have been able to eat more than I have since having the lap band. I don't like the fill process and I feel that at this point I should have a better understanding of the process.   After working out last night I was able to drink almost half of my bottle water before stopping. Now I have never done that since being band. I want to be able to know the difference of being filled and being topped off. No I don't want to be so tight I can't drink water but darn. I am work hard to watch what I eat and workout hard. But the purpose of having the band was to have assistance in my weight loss process.   Plus I feel like knowing how much I have in my band is important... it top secret at my Surgeon's office. I asked him what his target weight is lost for me and he act like I cussed him. LOL I think he worried that I am questioning him. But I really not..... I just want to make sure we are both on the same page.   The office I attend has several Surgeons there and I think it's more of a competition going on.   Oh…. I have scheduled another appointment which means more money on my side.     Work with Surgeon…LOL
Determine-Gem

Determine-Gem

4
Blog 1110
 

2 Years Post Op

Well hard to believe that it's been 2 years since my VSG. Life really does become normal again. I've done fairly well, but have developed a few bad habits since surgery. I snack on candy which I never used to do prior to surgery. I am working on doing better at it. I've gained a few pounds as a result and really have to watch closely.   I can pretty much still eat anything I want without problems. I am able to consume more than I could right after surgery but still not able to eat large quantities of anything. Which is great! I no longer have to sip my water. I can take regular drinks like I used to. I remember right after surgery and for a few months I really had to take baby sips of my drinks.   In two weeks I will be having plastic surgery. YAH!!! I'm having a breast lift with Augmentation. A tummy tuck and arm lift. They will be doing all 3 surgeries at once. I knew eventually I would need to have plastics. I have lots of hanging skin that never bounced back. Partially due to my age and just my genetics.   I'll try to post before and after pictures once I've recovered.   This journey has been so worth it. It saved my life!
Barbara278

Barbara278

2
Yes!! Its alll about me for a change
 

Celebrate The Small Things

Good Morning Band mates,   I am feeling good this morning. Just completed my workout for the morning and I am ready to tackle today's journey. Something very interesting happened to me this morning. I was coming out the gym and bumped into a lady that I use to work with Nora. Now Nora was the weight watchers queen, she could tell you how many points something was just by looking at it. I am sitting here laughing because as much as she was aware of how many points things were she was big as a house. I couldn't understand why a person with her knowledge was still so big. The first thing she said to me was wow you look good. I said thank you and was open about having had WLS. I wonder why sometimes people feel they need to keep what they have done a secret. I think that if I can help another person just by telling them my story and showing them the results of what I did, then why not. I think we make things bigger then they really need to be. I think that we forget the celebrate the small things and allow ourselves to enjoy things for what they are and not what they could have been. I think that we get so caught up with the numbers that we allow the numbers to determine how we are going to feel. I have a week that I didn't lose anything, and yes it can be disappointing and you feel sad but when I look at the scale and I don't see 279 I am still happy. You have to train yourself to celebrate the simple things. Remove anything negative you may have about this journey and replace it with positive thinking. I worked out today, I celebrate that I am able to do 60 minutes on a treadmill. I couldn't have done that before. I celebrate the small thing of putting on a size 16 and not having to wear a size 22. We sometimes forget how far we have come in the journey. You will only be defeated when you allow yourself to be defeated. I challenge anyone on the blogs that get upset when they don't lose to look back on what you did for the week and how did you eat? did you work out? are you drinking enough water? all these things are things you have to look and and think about what you need to do to make things better for yourself. Lap band is a tool, it is not the deciding factor to your life.
msoutlaw378

msoutlaw378

1
legnarevocrednu's Blog
 

No Exercise

I don't have much to update on right now. I just wanted to mention that so far I've lost the 40 pounds with no exercise what so ever. I know, it's absolutely horrible! I could make a gazillion excuses, but I won't bother. I'm realistic enough to know that the weight loss WILL slow down so I definitely need to jump on the work out wagon. I am joining the local gym on Friday. It has been an expense issue for me up until now, but I have to do it! I've run out of excuses and it's just time to get a move on. My doc still doesn't want me lifting until after my next appointment. I was a little surprised at that but oh well. I don't mind just doing the treadmill and such. It's better than nothing!
legnarevocrednu

legnarevocrednu

2
Texasbandit's Blog
 

Update Time!! Drama, Feeling Lost And Weight Loss

I feel lost. Just lost.   My hubby is doing much better now. He is going thru physical therapy to try to get him moving his limbs and eventually he will walk. He can talk, but his voice sounds strained and hoarse. He still is on a feeding tube. he has to pass a swallow test, but keeps failing. They will try again in two weeks. His liver is still troubling and he is on dialysis cause his kidneys stopped working. He is out of the ICU now and in a regular room, but our son still cannot visit on that wing. Hopefully one day he will be strong enough to be put in a wheel chair so he can go down to the family waiting area to see our son there.   In other news, my niece that was watching my son decided to move with her boyfriend and get a daytime job. I ddidnt wish her any ill will. I just spent one stressful week calling and visiting places. I was paying my niece, but regular child care is super expensive. Especially when I am paying all the bills and struggling. I finally found a place and a lady that will work with my budget. However this also means that I can only see my husband on the weekends now. Before my niece had a night time job and I would wait till she got off, put my son to bed and go up there to visit at night for a little.   Everyting seems to go wrong all at once. I spent the days I had off to try to find some financial assistance. I have been so frustrated at the lack of help. I dont want anyone to tell me that help is easy to find. It's not. You have to be practially destitute to get help, with everything about to be shut off. Shouldnt organizations try to help before your credit is ruined, you are about to be evicted and your heat shut off?? Then there is the fact that for most places I make too much money. I've tried to move out of our townhouse and into a smaller place, but our Apartments wont work with me. $500 transfer fee plus a deposit and first months rent for me to move to a smaller place. if I could pay that I wouldnt be asking to move in the first place. I tried to get child care subsidy but there is a 3 months waiting period!! I did find a food pantry to help and got some food. Thank god for the lapband! I just use the food to feed my son.   I feel so lonely. Sometimes I just cry alone. I miss my niece being there. I only look forward to going to work so I can talk to adults. I talk mostly to my cat and my son. My best friend calls or texts but she is young and busy. Most people pity me or say they will pray for me, but not any real help. I miss my husband so much. I just want one day off. One day where I dont have to stand outside in the cold in front of some so called Christian Charity and have them turn me down. Or where I dont have to spend all day at work applying for help that never comes. I'm depressed. I'm broke and my heart is hurting.   In positive news my wieght loss continues. I'm at 250 now. I lost on the average of 8-10lbs a month!! I havent been able to work out in over a week cause of my schedule now. I'll try to do something maybe afterwork, but I have the baby and its cold. Maybe get some tapes or something when income tax time comes thru.
Texasbandit

Texasbandit

3
Jo Jo's Blog
 

Needing Some Energy.....

I'm 12 weeks out and I still don't have any energy... Why? I get light headed if I lean down or move too fast... I haven't been exercising... Is that why? I'm confused. I go get my blood work tomorrow. Anybody experienced this or is everyone have a lot of energy?
Jo Jo

Jo Jo

3
My surgery is TOMORROW!
 

So Nervous And Need Some Positive Words!

Soooo I'm set to be sleeved tomorrow at 7:30am!! I'm excited but as the days wound down Im getting very nervous!! Ive lost somewhere around 15lbs since I started this 2 week pre-op liquid diet! So far the weight loss is the only thing keeping me on the right path.   My brain is on overload or withdrawals or something!! I feel like I'm breaking up with food, FOREVER!! I know this might seem stupid, but I really am kinda sad!! In my head I know there is nothing but good things to come out of this and I KNOW I will get over this!! I suppose I'm mourning the loss of my old ways, my old life. I was so comfortable and felt secure with the way I ate. Food has become a best friend, a confidante. On the other hand, it is what's made me unhappy for so long! I KNOW having surgery IS the best thing for me. I'm just having a hard time dealing with the mental right now!   Did any of you guys go through this??   I need some encouraging words!!
tiffanye

tiffanye

10
A Year of Possibilities
 

Post-Op Day 12: Clive Owen

So, in an email yesterday my bandster friend C had a mama moment and told me that the money I spent on my band would be wasted if I don't exercise. She said that I am no longer allowed to ride the elevator at work unless Tom Cruise was waiting on me. My email reply: Can it be unless Clive Owen is waiting on me?   I tried walking up the two flights of stairs and made it through 36 steps before my legs started burning. The last 12 of 48 were a killer. *gasp*cough*gasp*cough*cough. But I did it!   This morning, as is my routine upon arriving to work, I hailed the elevator and, as I stepped on, I saw a half sheet of paper taped to the wall of the elevator. There, looking out at me, was Clive Owen. The words read "You weren't really going to take the elevator were you?....... I'm watching you....... You never know where I'll be....... xoxoxo - Clive."   Which caused me to laugh out loud. And turn around. And walk up to the second floor to see my friend C, laughing the whole way.   She said she had been waiting to hear my laugh. And then she apologized for forgetting that I work on the third floor, stating that I need to start small. Silly C. And yet, I still have a smile on my face, glancing frequently at Clive Owen looking out at me from the side of my computer monitor.
meloney

meloney

1
A Year of Possibilities
 

Post-Op Day 11: Making Lemonade

So, in this wonderful adventure of pureed foods, I acquired some produce to make mashes: parsnips, turnips, cauliflower, red potatoes.   Now, in Kuwait it is very challenging to keep fresh veggies from spoiling. Unfortunately, by the time I got around to doing my mashed parsnips and mashed cauliflower, both had begun to die slow, horrible deaths. I painstakingly salvaged what I could of the veg and commenced my juggling act of pots and emulsion mixer. Sadly, I ended up with far less mash than intended. This, however, is not the worst part.   I finished the parsnips, put the cauliflower on to steam, and commenced to boiling the potatoes. I stepped away for a minute (not really a minute, but still) and by the time I returned to my pots both had begun to burn! I can see how I burned the steaming cauliflower - I don't have a steamer. But how did I burn a pot of boiling potatoes? Super skill.   Again, I salvaged what I could and ended up with a small pot of mashed potatoes and about two cups of mashed cauliflower. My lemonade out of lemons.   As it was time to feed myself (I'm still not hungry), I dished up a cup of mashed potatoes and added some sour cream. Now, since surgery I have been eating a cup of food every few hours to make sure that I am getting enough food into my body because my body is not sending me a signal that it needs food. This has been relatively successful. However, this time I ended up stopping after half a cup of food! I GOT FULL. On half a cup of mashed potatoes. The girl who used to have a couple of heaping serving spoonfuls of mashed potatoes (artfully sculpted into a scale model of Mt. Fuji with hidden butter magma inside which splooshed out upon squishing the volcano), was full on half a cup of unbuttered mashed potatoes! Amazing.
meloney

meloney

0
My Second Chance
 

"why Yes Mr. Cardiologist, I Had Fried Fish For Dinner Last Night!" (Stoopid!)

So, tonight my husband and I got to go out to dinner with his boss and his boss's wife and another co-worker. It was a lovely evening. We went to a fish restaurant. Not my favorite, but hey, it's something different. Ok fine. "Oh look- a platter of fried stuff! Oh goody! Who cares that I have an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow to get cardiac clearance for surgery!! Go for it! Oh, and while you're at it can you please throw in a mojito so I can really spike my blood pressure? Thanks."   And as usual, something sounds really good...I get it...and now I feel like poo! Serves me right. Well, I'm going all crazy with the "saying goodbye" rituals. Donuts, cake, ice cream, fried fish, McD's. I am SOOOOOO ready to not care about food anymore. I hate this. I hate it. February 13th can't come soon enough. wah wah wah...sorry....just had to get that out.
Dooter

Dooter

4
Maddy's Blog
 

Helpful Tips For Eating Out With Family And Friends.

Hi everyone good chatting with so many of you and thank you all for all your wonderful comments and suggestions to me. One topic that folks keep asking me is how im doing when it comes to eating out. True, not an easy task when you first get started. Here are a few good tips I have learned along the way.   Tip One - Always chose your protein first. I prefer to stick with chicken or fish when I go out to eat for a few reasons. One, im able to digest fish and chicken a whole lot easier than meat and 2nd there is alot less carbs and cholestrol with fish and chicken.   Tip Two - When chosing your side dish try to keep in mind that it usually comes with a potato or rice. For go the empty carbs and go with a side order of fresh veggies. Ask the waiter if they can steam or saute in very light oil to keep the extra calories from mounting up.   Tip Three - You dont have to finish whats on your plate. Remember 2oz of protein is all you need and 2oz of veggies is more than enough to satisfy your hunger. Keep the extra 2 oz for fresh fruit for dessert.   Tip Four - When you are full stop eating. Put your fork down. Over eating or pushing yourself to continue will only make you feel sick and the issue of stretching your stomach. When you are full, your done!   Remember do not drink any fluids 30 mins to hr before eating and 2 hours after eating. You want to keep your stomach full from dinner.   Tip Five - Try to walk after your dinner. This helps your digest your food and its a great way to get your daily exercise in.   Eating out is an enjoyable experience and it doesnt have to change because you have the sleeve. Keeping these simple tips in mind when you are eating out... And most of all... enjoy your food
Maddy

Maddy

0
sweetsoutherngirl's Blog
 

And The Waiting Continues.....

So I called yesterday to true results here in Houston and was told I am now medically clear for surgery. She had me leave a message for my advocate so she could call me with dates. Well no calls yesterday or today. I am debating on calling her if I have not heard from her by noon. So more waiting ...
sweetsoutherngirl

sweetsoutherngirl

2
Caribear's Blog
 

Sorting Out The "hungers" And Fibro Is Kicking My You-Know-What...

Isn't it funny how our brain can cause us to think we feel things when we really don't? One of the hardest things I have been dealing with is trying to sort out when I am actually hungry and when I am not. Someone without food issues would probably think that this sounds really easy, but for someone like me who is trying to untangle food and emotions, it is far from simple.   For years I thought that whenever my stomach felt uncomfortable, it was hunger and I should eat. It has only been within the past few months that it has really sunken in that 1) not every feeling is hunger, and 2) even if it is hunger, it's okay to feel it. Funny how it has become such an alien concept that I don't have to run to the kitchen and fix something to eat every time I am hungry. My therapist has been trying to tell me this for several years now, poor thing, and as hard as she tried to tell me I just couldn't internalize it. I'm not sure what it was that really made it sink in, but now I finally get it. Sometimes my stomach feels "hungry" because I am bored or stressed. I have always been a comfort eater, so now the first thing my brain does when I feel unpleasant emotions is cause that feeling that I should eat. It's been a real struggle trying to remember that it's not actual physical hunger. I guess this is what they call "head hunger."   My nutritionist offered me an awesome coping strategy for when I am struggling with that feeling and it won't go away. The best thing to do is make yourself busy with something else to take your mind off of that feeling. But what do you do, and how do you make sure to do it in times of stress? Her idea was to make a "tool box" of things that will distract you from the false hunger. She said that it could be an imaginary box, but personally I need a physical object that I can look at. The box should contain things that you enjoy doing that will keep your attention long enough to forget about being hungry. Some of the things she suggested were knitting or crocheting, puzzle books, craft projects, etc. In my box I have a sudoku book, a crossword puzzle book, and three guided relaxation CDs. I will continue to look for other things as well until I have a good variety of stuff. The box has already proven very useful, not only in helping me overcome those fake hunger feelings, but also just seeing the box gives me a sense of empowerment in knowing that I am prepared to deal with those feelings.   I hope this post is making sense. It's getting colder, and that means I've been run over by the fibromyalgia bus. One of the worst symptoms of fibro (in my opinion) is the fogginess, which sometimes makes it hard to finish a sentence. Today my brain feels like it has turned to mush. Even though it is warmer today than it was this weekend, I feel worse because of the wind and the rain. My body hates any kind of weather that is not clear, calm and mild, but winter is probably the worst. My low back is on fire and my legs hurt so badly I can hardly think. But on the plus side, I found a DVD on Netflix called Healing Yoga: Aches And Pains that seems to be helping somewhat. It's a yoga workout designed for people with arthritis and other pain conditions. It's available as a DVD and streaming video as well, which is really convenient. It loosened up my hips and back enough today that I could get my household stuff done without wiping myself out.   I am really praying that losing weight will help me become a little more functional on days like today.
Caribear

Caribear

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