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Motivation and a Plan?



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I'm having a hard time being motivated to loose weight pre-op. It's not required by either my surgeon or insurance, but figured I'd like to go ahead and start the process while I'm waiting for my (hopeful) approval and surgery date.

But I'm having a hard time knowing what to do or eat. I've typically joined Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig and then joined a gym. But I just lost my job and I have absolutely no money to spare, so I have to do it on my own. Without having someone or a program tell me what to eat I fell so lost and unmotivated.

Any ideas? How do I get the motivation I need and how do I know what to eat. I know this sounds like a silly question, but I've obviously not been very skilled in this area. :redface:

Thanks!

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Take it one step at a time as to not be overwhelmed.

Make sure you eat Breakfast every day.

Always drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day.

Start by cutting down your portions. Take your normal portion, then either put away or throw away 10-20% of it before you sit down to eat.

Cut everything to about the size of a die.

Chew every bite at least 25 times.

When you've got that down, start substituting the foods you are eating with healthier foods.

There is plenty more to it but like I said, do one thing at a time.

Good luck.

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On pre-op (before the pre-op liquid diet) I've been eating fairly normally. I do start the day with a Protein shake, then a handfull of almonds or a light cheese stick late morning. Something easy for lunch- either a Zone bar (SOOO GOOD- chocolate Peanut Butter is like a candy bar!) or a turkey sandwich on light bread and a salad. Then dinner was just a smaller portion of what I made for the family. No other snacking (sugar free popsicles at times yes). I've lost 25 lbs since May this way, not a ton of effort. I've also stopped drinking with meals and for half an hour after... and I will say that has been the hardest thing. So I would suggest starting that asap because it takes serious effort to not drink!

Now I'm a week from surgery and the liquid diet is as much ... fun... as they say. So i'm living on these forums to get me through to surgery day!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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