Bandista

Having an exercise partner really helps me. I don't want to let her down; she doesn't want to let me down. It's a mutually-beneficial arrangement as neither of us would be doing it on our own. Sounds like your husband might be a good walking partner. He would benefit from that and maybe that's a good enough incentive right there. And he can do it for you. You get the idea...... Sometimes I call a friend to go walking with me. We jump in our cars and meet up at a lake we like to walk around. We always yack a lot so it's great therapy, too -- and sometimes driving over there I catch myself thinking, "why did I call, now I have to do it!" But every time on the drive home I am saying to myself, "I did it -- I feel good. Yippee!" You are going to get this thing, I know it.

How about some mindfulness training? When I first started back on real food after my surgery I did some eating with the clock. My little fork up to my mouth with a bite then putting down the fork, taking my hand away. So hard for me to let go of that utensil! Pick it up at thirty seconds -- empty -- to the mouth, feel the sensation of the fork on the lips, then put it back down again. Finally at one minute another bite. This was to teach me what a bite a minute feels like and to get me to slow down. I probably need to practice this again as I'm trying to learn my body's signals for satiety.

Hi there, you are saddling up -- I can hear it. This is going to be your year of health. You're well on your way, feeling better, losing inches and eating in moderation, recognizing hunger, etc. How about calling for an appointment as that sure doesn't sound like the Green Zone. And find a class or a gym or a block to walk around every day -- you are going to start shedding. Yippee!

Hi Sergeen, hope you have a better day today! The walking around really helped me so much -- my body needed to shrug off the anesthesia and the walking helped kick into healing mode. I parked myself in a recliner and watched movies, drank tea and had Popsicles but every time I had to get up to pee I got my shoes on and did laps around our driving circle. It really helped. And I told myself it wasn't as bad as some other things -- for me I hate dentistry so that was a good comparison, or having a cracked rib, back seriously out....I just kept remembering this surgery was at least for something, for me and my health. Hang on to your purpose and know that a few months from now you probably won't be able to recall these first few days very well. Let us know how you're doing!

I'm trying to train myself off the scale -- it makes me crazy sometimes. A small gain or a plateau can be so frustrating even though I know it's fine and that I'm probably losing inches, fitting into jeans that were tight before, etc. Those are important things to look out for......the Non-Scale Victories, NSVs. You are doing beautifully -- tell yourself that every day because it is true!

Such a great thread! Last night we were at a neighbors for dinner. First I felt I could take it or leave it for the spread of hors d'oeuvres -- all kinds of fancy cheeses, olives, etc. That was pretty uncharacteristic of me and hopefully what the new me is like. Then there was a seafood stew for dinner. I was served a large bowl and it was delicious, but when my husband was going back for seconds I simply traded with him so he could have the rest of mine. I realized, "oh, I'm done." My challenge right now is that this doesn't last very long. But I can tell I'm getting there little by little as far as mindful eating, but I am having too much food right now and not losing weight. I tell myself it's okay and I may be losing inches, but of course that's frustrating. I gained a few pounds in the last week or so and of course that is scary. The mind game for me is to believe all is well, that I will be successful, etc. because deep down those fears are there -- fear that it won't work for me, that I don't have what it takes or that I'll be dieting forever. Eeeek. Must rewire that part of the brain!

Very helpful -- thanks so much!

I've been using pea protein and that worked well for me pre-surgery but then afterwards I didn't want any kind of protein shake for a month or so. Recently I've been having one for late breakfast and I think that's going to be my mode. I had some Muscle Milk leftover from the stash of stuff I got and didn't need (guess we all do this!) and the vanilla mixed with frozen peaches or strawberries was like sorbet. Absolutely delicious. I am going to try the egg protein -- thanks for that recommendation. I don't do a lot of dairy. Oh, also I have been putting psyllium in my shake, and sometimes ground flax seeds. Need that digestive help.

Yippee! I think we are in a very similar place -- almost there and determined! Hope this is it for you, the magic zone.

Yippee! So exciting....and here's to the exciting new year ahead. Reclaiming our lives does feel really, really good -- your post is such a great reminder of that! Best wishes.....

This is called transference -- trading one addiction for another. I hope you can get some help to stop now so you can be healthy in every way! Put those medical professionals to work; they want you to be a success and they may have some particular strategies in mind for this. Best wishes to you!

Fifteen pounds in four months is great -- that's about a pound a week....and as you say the holidays and husband away, the emotional eating. I think you're doing beautifully. Just keep choosing yourself and your health first. Best wishes for this new year and have fun with your husband!

*dainty eater, not dairy eater. That's me before....cheese-a-holic. And one from my family: I love to eat with her because she let's us have most of her food.

I love this -- what we want to be known as and what we know ourselves as.... I love dining with her: She's such a dairy eater! She knows how to take her time and make it a real event. She makes the best choices. She's a great conversationalist. Poise, dignity, grace! Most people wolf their food down, but not her.

Eeek...I know what you mean...the photographs are just horrifying....have hidden from the camera forever but once in a while there's a picture. As you say, a thousand words beginning with OMG...

Sorry, that is "consumed by worries" And I forgot to mention your concussion. Scary! Hope you're feeling well now...

Hi Dewey, hope things are settling down now that the holidays are behind us. Career and location stress -- ACK! I am finally resigned to not getting to know what's coming next so I am forced to live in the present or because I summed by worries. A lot of my eating was anxiety-driven. I used food to calm that whirring inside. Good luck with everything and keep choosing yourself, your health and happiness then every one around you benefits, too. Best wishes for a fine new year!

Thanks, Terry -- I think my husband thinks I'm ready for the loony bin, too. He's watched me all these years on various diets and now this surgery and new lifestyle that I don't really have down yet...... So glad you got to the Green Zone -- yippee! That is great news.

Hi Nenny and happy new year -- here's to getting off that next chunk and feeling great! We can do this thing.......

Way to go!

Ouch, hope the ice is helping -- two toes in a few months....painful! Are you rolling over as you run? Husband has a dropped foot and there are amazing orthotics out there. He has a brace but there are much subtler devices. May be worth a trip to the podiatry unit.

Hi Pagon, thanks for sharing this -- transference of addictions is so easy to fall into and very hard to climb out of again. Know that there are lots of people just starting and lots of people starting over. It doesn't matter where we are on this new day because we are all at the beginning of it. I am hoping to trade in food obsession with a healthy attachment to exercise so I can be one of those people who can't wait to work out, has to get my walk in each day, etc. For now I am kind of faking it (doing it anyway and telling myself how great it is) but then once in a while I find myself thinking about getting to exercise, how good it will feel, and I realize the rewiring is starting to happen. Good luck to you and know that you're not alone -- so glad you're here.

Powerful post! That fierceness is just what we each need to face up to our addictions and make our lives work for us. Here's to 2014 -- so glad you are here on the forum. Your absolute determination comes through every word.

Hi Sandy -- you have been a wonderful cheerleader for me. Thanks for all the support and here's to the upcoming year! Best wishes to you........

Hi Erica, 9/27 is my real-life birthday -- happy band day! Even though I knew it would take a while to get into sync with the fills, I'm feeling the length of the journey now. Maybe it's the whole holiday thing, too. I don't even know how much I have in my band (three fills so far) and I suppose it doesn't matter as it's just a number. The surgeon mentioned it was a small fill last time, and the band was not primed (I asked that at my previous visit), and I missed an appointment due to snow. I think I will be more forthcoming at my next appointment -- Monday -- to let him know I'm having a hard time and I'm feeling impatient to get there. Meanwhile we keep the faith. Thanks so much for posting 927 Bandit -- good luck to you in these coming months. 2014 is going to be a brilliant year for health and happiness!