CJ Porter

I'm doing my first 5K. We'll be walking it, but, as someone else said, my goal is just to finish it. Friday - Sun - more walking, getting in the pool at the gym and housework. Vigorous housework I've ignored for weeks. Should be fun... NOT. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! CJ

I'll take a balanced approach to the food. I love turkey, so, no problem with going for the Protein first. A tablespoon of stuffing, perhaps a tablespoon of green bean casserole. Definitely a tiny bit of cranberries. And I think I'll be good. My therapist and I talked about strategies when I started feeling deprived or frustrated which I intend to utilize. Going to focus on all my senses, not just taste. Enjoy the people, play some games, go for a walk, watch Harry Potter, etc. I also want to try to make some intentional decisions - I don't get things like stuffing and cranberries year round. If I want mashed potatoes, I can do that any time. So, going to go for the truly special stuff. And I know this group will be here if I need to vent. CJ Edited to add: THANKS to everyone who responded. I'm feeling far more positive about the holiday now. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am hungry most of the time. I'm trying different ways to make that slightly less distracting than it currently is and I am determined that I'm not going to let it sidetrack me. But yes, there are days when I wonder if they took the wrong half of my stomach and left me with the side that creates the hunger hormone! CJ

Thanksgiving. Ugh. Anyone got any thoughts on how they're going to get through it? Anyone have experience or advice? My bariatric practice is really practical about this sort of thing. They say that the holiday is a special day and that we should give ourselves a break. That being said, I know myself. A break for Thursday will last the entire holiday weekend. And if I'm lucky I'll crawl back on the wagon on Monday. That's a big IF. So, I'm starting my Thursday with participating in a Turkey Trot 5K. I've had a few times when I've eaten too fast/too much and the feeling is so awful I really don't want to do that. So, what's everyone planning? CJ

I'm going in to see my therapist here in just about half an hour and am going to have a similar discussion. I'm hungry and mentally, I go to the "I deserve this. I want this." I call it my "internal temper tantrum." I keep reminding myself that this is a journey, not a sprint but the old feelings of "I'm going to fail. I can't do this. I'm such a loser" are rearing their ugly heads!

Echoing what everyone else has said. My stall lasted 2 weeks. I just kept plugging and I'm headed downward again. I really do think that our bodies go through a "WTF??" moment. It will get with the program. One of the things you want to keep track of is non-scale victories (NSV). You may not notice the scale moving, but pay attention to things like how your clothing fits, how you feel when you're walking, etc. That will help.

I spent a year trying to make up my mind. I researched the surgery. Talked with a surgeon. Discussed it with my family. Tried to lose more weight on my own during that year. Then decided it was the way to go. Then spent another year going through my insurance's hoops to get approved for the surgery. All of their questions were designed to get me to second guess my decision. (Things like, "Are you nervous about the surgery? Do you understand that there could be complications? One of those complications could be death?") I think waffling is very normal - you're talking about surgery here! I was sleeved on 8/31/15. I have not for one second since then regretted or second thought my decision. I'm feeling better than I have in years. I'm eating well. I'm enjoying exercise. I'm sleeping better. I can go up stairs without feeling like I'm about to have a heart attack. Do you know my one regret? Not making up my mind a year earlier. Good luck, whatever you decide. CJ

Sadly the support group through my bariatric practice is not really supportive. It's an information group where the leader lectures, or they bring in a plastic surgeon to show horrid pictures of skin surgery patients... I want to keep going and give it a shot but the only discussion there's been was really negative so far. I said something to the leader and we'll see where it goes. Which is why I'm so happy for this board!

I'm still early in the journey but am already seeing benefits. Going up stairs without feeling like I'm going to pass out. Putting on clothing that had gotten too tight and finding out that they are now loose. Energy to spare. Knees feeling 100% better without the NSAIDs I was on. Getting out and walking with friends or family and not having to quit after 5 minutes. I'm sleeping better. Do people treat me differently? Not at this point, no. But I'm a fairly out-going person and I talk/flirt with everyone so I don't wait for them to be kind or indifferent to me.

I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter. Everyone had a horror story about 48 hour labors, delivery complications, etc. At the time, I wondered why on earth people would share such terrible things with someone who was so happy to be having a child. (I went through infertility treatments - the pregnancy was a blessing and I was scared enough.) You know there could be complications. I'm assuming you know the numbers and the frequency. If not, ask your doc for that info. They are relatively small. And you have the story of every person here who had an experience that was uneventful and is thrilled with the choice they made. Like me. If I had the choice, I'd do it all over again. CJ

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't even imagine having to deal with that and recovering from surgery. Take care of yourself, do what you need to do and keep us all posted. My husband is a brain cancer survivor. It wasn't an easy road, but he made it. I wish you peace and strength. CJ

Thank you, @@thisfathasgot2go for posting that video. I have to admit I've been pretty loosey goosey with the Water during eating thing because I kept wondering what could it hurt? But I'm really very hungry in between meals and I have to wonder... so back to following the letter of the requirement for me! CJ

To be honest, I've been the "fat girl" for so long, I'm not sure who the heck I'll be when I get down to goal. For that reason, I maintain a relationship with a therapist. I see her once every two weeks. We talk about the journey and I know that as I try to process who the person is looking back at me in the mirror, she'll be there and we'll talk about that too.

Congratulations!! My daughter is also very excited about the new found energy I have. Happy Halloween! CJ

I'm not really seasoned, but, at 8 weeks out I am eating 2-3 ounces at a sitting. I'm not having any trouble getting my Protein in and I've been trying different foods to see how my body handles them. No beef for me right now, but, chicken, turkey, pork, and fish have all been great. My tastes have changed as far as broccoli is concerned but I'm doing well with all other veg including lettuce. What do you have to look forward to? When I started eating foods, even the mushies, everything tasted gourmet to me. My first scrambled egg was heavenly. Hang in there - you can do this! CJ