TES

We are lucky at having a very clean facility. We moved into a new building back in Feb. And our custodial staff is very vigilant about keeping the fridge clean and cleaned out.

I have a lunchbag that I can freeze in the freezer and then I also put freezer packs in the bottom--keeps my food cold enough that I don't have to put it in the yucky communal fridges.

refried beans with cheese are a good bet, soups... that might be about it right now. I'm a vegetarian but I thin some people do flaky fish and chew well. will you have a little fridge and microwave in your hotel room? I might rely on that and eat yogurt etc. I didn't eat out for at least the first 2 months.

I've never experienced dumping syndrome but I stay away from junk (I'm 5 months out).

I flew first class recently because the last time I flew coach when I got off the plane my whole side was numb, LOL I also purchased my own seat extender so I wouldn't feel embarrassed asking for one. Can't wait to fly coach again with out cramps on the hips.

Unless you are an extreme pear, YES. you will FIT! I am only 5'5" and I flew at 290 and ALL of me fit in the seat with the armrests down. I got a window seat and leaned against the side and did not encroach at all on my seatmate's space. I did not need an extender either. I flew at previously 315 as well and only needed an extender once.
go to seatguru.com and find your airline and flight number and you can see how large the seats are. 18" seats are what I had on my flight with no issues.

I would probably eat before going and then go with the late lunch excuse (which would be true if you eat before going). Honestly, people get so busy worrying about themselves, it probably won't even be noticed or mentioned.

Just remember that they zip on the opposite side!

I weigh my food ...I like knowing how much I am eating...I feel more in control I guess.

<< Our relationship is changing, and while I'll still partake of you, I need the best you, you have to give.... things that will make me strong and healthy instead of weak and lazy.
Wonderful post--love what you said above. You can do this!! You are clearly mentally prepared, you already love exercise and being active, and I have no doubt that you will succeed. You will be amazed at how the whole dynamic between you and food will change. You will be on the offensive and not the defensive. You may even become friends again--a healthy friendship though.

Great job. No one needs that crap--whenever I brought something into the office for a bday or other event, I would always bring a traditional sweet but then a healthful option too. For example, a decorated cake but then also a big bowl of fresh strawberries or clementines. Maybe you could start a new trend at your office next time you are asked to bring something. I was always shocked by how popular the healthier foods were.

Great job. No one needs that crap--whenever I brought something into the office for a bday or other event, I would always bring a traditional sweet but then a healthful option too. For example, a decorated cake but then also a big bowl of fresh strawberries or clementines. Maybe you could start a new trend at your office next time you are asked to bring something. I was always shocked by how popular the healthier foods were.

Great job. No one needs that crap--whenever I brought something into the office for a bday or other event, I would always bring a traditional sweet but then a healthful option too. For example, a decorated cake but then also a big bowl of fresh strawberries or clementines. Maybe you could start a new trend at your office next time you are asked to bring something. I was always shocked by how popular the healthier foods were.

Thanks, but I don't have a lot to write about. It's hard for me to make up funny stuff, but if it really happens to me, I can write about it and try to put a funny twist on it.

Thanks for your comment.
Well, to be completely honest, I'm not obsessed with the topic. I just have a boring life, this really happened to me, and I find poo funny. I had to write this post because it was my duty and it was a BIG duty! :-)

Isopure is at Vitamin Shoppe or GNC--I would buy a couple of individual bottles first to see if you like it. You could also have Crystal Lite with unflavored protein powder instead of the Isopure--cheaper, and in my opinion more palatable. Good luck!

Congrats on your losses, and best wishes to your wife! How great that you can do this together.

Congratulations, LifetimeLoser! That's wonderful!

Hang in there--sending you positive thoughts. Tomato soup was the one thing that I could not tolerate during the liquid phase. One time I had some, and thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. It was seriously scary. And then I had heartburn. I guess it makes sense, because tomatoes are so acidic. So maybe that is the issue even moreso than the cheese.

Hang in there! I would say that a lot of the items that you think you might need, you may never need. My surgery actually got moved the day before so it was 2 weeks sooner than I was planning on, and I think it ended up being beneficial bc I didn't have that anxiety that comes with anticipation. The RD met with my husband and me and asked what things I had at home for post-op, and my husband said bottled water! LOL! He went to the store as soon as we got home and we just got a few things at a time as I needed them. Everything worked out fine.

My surgeon makes sure all patients receive an abdominal binder while in the hospital (and then you take it home with you). It helped me the most of everything as far as minimizing pain when making positional changes or when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. My first one was bloody from the discharge from the drain so the nurse gave me a new one before I was released. She offered to let me keep the old one and wash it, but I felt a little queasy at the time seeing the drainage and declined. Wish I would have kept it bc it would have been nice to have a back-up while I washed the other one. I also wore it under my clothes when I went out for the first few weeks bc it made me feel like my incisions were sort of protected if someone bumped into me, etc. The binder also supported my back when my abdominal muscles felt weak right after surgery. As you can tell, I really enjoyed my abdominal binder (I feel a little like I am writing out an infomercial pitch)--and would highly recommend using one!

Hey Ms Vicki! It does sound like The First Stall has indeed ended, yay!
I say join the gym, get your swim on And, as you progress on your journey, you may decide to try the various classed they may have and/or use their machines for strength training. IMO, having the gym membership will give you exposure and access to new and cool things to try, and therefore keep you motivated to keep moving!
lol I am SO looking forward to that whole energy and libido surge thang!
keep on rockin!

good for you--congratulations!!!!

Congratulations, LifetimeLoser! That's wonderful!

I'll be interested to see how you do this week, b/c my RD actually recommends alternating higher and lower calorie days. Your body wants to be in homeostatis and the alternating calorie days can help shock it into weight loss. this is sort of the principle of the Mosley diet that is so popular right now.