TakingABreak

As I did my meal prep for this week, I thought to myself, this is what has changed the most for me. I shop weekly for the freshest fruits and veggies. I meal prep every Sunday and some Wednesday/Thursday’s. Would it help to start a challenge for those who want to develop good habits before surgery? We could do a running post and share our food prep victories. I get so much pride looking at my island with all my Tupperware and baggies filled with nutritional foods for the week. Let me know if anyone’s interested! Next Sunday I’ll take my pic of my food prep in all its glory!

That’s actually not 100% correct. It can’t be used on prepared *hot* food. It can be used on cold. So if it’s a pre-made salad or even food that is meant to be warmed. Like our grocery store has a pizza and Chinese counter. They always put left over Chinese food in containers to sell in the deli section. It’s cold and SNAP can be used for it.

Kids are def different from spouses. You can cook better for your husband but ultimately he’s an adult and can do as he pleases. But you make a choice for your children. My family has a predisposition to obesity and my sister is being very cautious with her twins. They are one but she is making sure that they eat well rounded meals. And knows that “treats” will be few and far between. When we were rewarded as kids it was a Happy Meal. Now, I know not to use food as a reward. I think another consideration is to keep our youth more active. The internet, video games, and phones have made our youth super lazy and uninterested in actual activities. It’s something I will be very mindful of when I have children. But to Creeks point about how she was taught to “entertain” with food. I feel the same way. My grandma always offers food or drink the *moment* you walk in. She stocks her fridge for visitors, not herself. I think culture needs to change. Too many things revolve around food. My sister and I were talking about Christmas, and she said she didn’t want her girls to get wrapped up in the idea that it’s about gifts. She started listing why the holidays are important, and food made the top 5. Ultimately, society won’t change but we can pass down good habits to our children and stop the trends that cause obesity in our families. I want my children to love green veggies and fish. So I’ll feed them those things and teach them about nutrition from an early age.

Funny story! I bought a full body piece from Lane Bryant. I wore it for the first time and didn’t realize at first it is “crotchless” as I like to call it. Needless to say, I wore a dress that day and there was a breeze. It was convenient to use the restroom . ?? I’ve tried different brands but I buy briefs from Walmart and love them. They are more expensive than regular underwear but cheaper than name brands. About $10-$13 per pair. They are “Cupid” brand and make different styles. They wash really well, I wash and rewear the same 3 pairs all the time. I don’t go without shape wear unless I’m going to bed. It almost feels naked to go without now.

Yes we are. I thank God everyday that I found my match in life. I don’t believe in soulmates but, I do believe that we are destined to be together. We have our trials and tribulations but no one ever said marriage was easy.

I can relate, I make him breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. Always a well balanced breakfast and dinner. Lunch is his splurge. He works very hard and those awful carbs somehow makes his day better. Ultimately he has benefited from this journey because I cook better and make better choices for us. For me, making his meals is an act of love. I think if I didn’t buy them, he would understand. I don’t have this big temptation with cheezits though. There are other things i avoid buying. He would ultimately give them up if it meant sabotaging my progress. I don’t take any offense. I just try and make it as easy on him as possible. He’s been so loving and supportive through, not only my weight loss journey, but before when it was really hard. When I had countless health problems. When he got up in the mornings to help me tie my shoes. When he sat through countless appointments for things that could have been solved by losing weight. I owe him to buy Cheezits if it’s what he loves. I owe him to resist the urge because he’s done so much for me. No, I don’t “owe” him necessarily and he doesn’t hold it over my head or treat it like a debt. But I do. I am in debt to his love. His vows for in sickness and in health, he’s held up the truest end of the agreement. I want him to feel all the goodness of my journey, and a part of that is for him to not give things up on my account. He gave up things for years. Sorry, I’m a little sappy and emotional typing this. He would give his life to make me happy, and I vow to never make him have to.

Yeah I cook a lot healthier now too, so therefore he eats better too. Thankfully he is healthy as a horse, despite his bad lunch habits.

I mean, no...I don’t have to. Just like I don’t *have* to go to the grocery store. I think you read into my original post too much. I buy cheezits for my husbands lunches each week. I don’t have to, he doesn’t hold a gun, but I do because I take on the responsibility of the shopping. Just like he doesn’t have to mow the grass. But if I didn’t buy them, he had his own money, he’d buy them for himself. So why put up that fight lol. I just choose to do the same things that I did before surgery.

That is freaking awesome! Congrats!

I take these, and they are wonderful. I can take 1 capsule at bedtime and my calcium/vitamin d in the AM. No more having to remember vitamins multiple times throughout the day. They are only 45.99 for a 90 day supply as well.

Sending positive thoughts your way for a kidney!

Congrats! Looking great! Your smile is radiant.

?❤️

Yes! Two down! Many more to go! It would be a pleasure to meet you too!

Yay! that's so great! I get congratulated every time I go to the doctor by the nurses who can't believe how much my medication list has shrunk! Its a great feeling.

I agree. I feel stronger for having the Cheezits in the pantry and not eating them. It makes me feel like a warrior LOL

You would wave LOL

I'm in Central IL, the Peoria area. In the event you are close by! But i do occasionally make it up to the Chicagoland area, as that's where I'm from. I need to pair up with @SleeveinIL, we met here, and had the same surgeon.

Plus, when I talk about you...know one looks at me funny, you are Matt. lol.

That's right! Well, the invitation is always open!

what in the world are you talking about silly willy. You are on the top of the totem pole. You'd be invited to the family reunion. We'd sit you at the table of black sheep

Hey, I do have family in the Dallas (specifically, Garland) area. I don't get down there very often, but every 5-10 years.

Yes Matt just enlightened me. I thought it was pulled through because the incision was bigger there. The doctor had said something to me about it being more tender because that's where my stomach "was" (he probably meant, "was" as in, my working stomach is no longer there), and I just thought it was removed. The incision was larger though, maybe he needed more room to work, *shrugs*.

I've grown close to a few of you guys over this journey. You are a part of my everyday life and I find myself saying... oh well, @Orchids&Dragons said this.... and people look at me funny. Anyway, crazy enough I find myself day dreaming of some sort of get together. Like a giant family reunion or a retreat of sorts. LOL. I know this will never happen, but if anyone's ever in IL.... let me know! I'd love to meet you!

I may have already responded to this once, but oh well! I recommend air freshener. That gas has to come out.