Happy Memorial Day!

[Alex Brecher 10,486]

Hey Everyone!

Happy Memorial Day! This solemn occasion is the official day of remembrance to honor the men and women throughout history who have died during their military service. This day of contemplation and the three-day weekend it falls on are an opportunity for you to think about your own personal goals and battles. This newsletter has the following items to help you refocus your weight loss surgery journey.

• Memorial Day: A Respectful Occasion
• Memorial Day Picnic
• Make It a Neighborhood Celebration!
• Stay Hydrated – It’s Getting Hot!
• Set Your Summer Goals

Have a wonderful weekend, and remember to do yourself and your family justice. If you have a minute after reading the newsletter, come on over to BariatricPal and share some motivation with the other members!

Sincerely,

Alex Brecher

Founder, BariatricPal

Memorial Day: A Respectful Occasion

Memorial Day is the day to remember and give thanks for those who have died in their military service. If you believe that these men and women gave their lives to protect your freedom, you might ask yourself how you are showing your gratitude for your freedom. One way might be to take advantage of the opportunity to live the healthiest life that you can.

• If you are eligible for weight loss surgery, consider it seriously. Is it the right choice for you? What additional information do you need to make your decision?
• If you are on your way to getting weight loss surgery, what can you do now to make recovery and weight loss easier?
• If you are already a weight loss surgery patient, are you making the best eating decisions each day? Are you proudly taking control over your own health?

One of the best ways to show your appreciation for the freedom you have is to use it wisely. What freedoms are you grateful for?

Memorial Day Picnic

Memorial Day can be a disaster if you down hot dogs, baked Beans, coleslaw, and beer, but there are plenty of healthier options for any kind of Memorial Day lunch or dinner.< /span>

On the Grill

Anytime there is a barbecue, there can be something for you to eat. Skip the ribs, hot dogs, and full-fat ground beef, and go for leaner Proteins and vegetables. Grill your food yourself if you are doing the grilling for everyone, or ask the griller to make your food for you as he cooks the other meat. It is no extra work, since you can supply your own ready-to-grill foods.

• Burger: veggie burger or lean ground turkey or beef
• chicken breast
• Skewer with chicken breast pieces, lean beef pieces, or shrimp

If you want to grill peaches, Brussels sprouts, watermelon slices, or portabella mushrooms, make sure you have enough for everyone, because these options are delicious! Lap-band patients need to be wary of stringy choices like asparagus, corn on the cob, and pineapple.< /span>

In the Picnic Basket

What does your picnic add up to when you put weight loss surgery together with ham and cheese sandwiches, Pasta salad, and brownies? Over 1,000 calories and the possibility of dumping syndrome or other complications. Avoid this disaster by making sure your picnic basket contains high-Protein and low-calorie options.

• Hard-boiled egg whites
• Tuna salad made with Greek yogurt, a diced dill pickle, and black pepper
• Turkey and cheese rolls
• Three bean salad
• Fruit salad

Refreshing Treats

Skip the ice cream, cream pies, and soft drinks, and finish your meal instead with one of these refreshing choices.

• Watermelon – be careful to avoid seeds, especially if you are a lap-band patient or you are just starting your solid foods diet
• Frozen banana slices, or pureed frozen banana if you are on the soft foods phase of the post-surgery diet progression
• Frozen grapes – as simple as freezing and eating them!
• sugar-free popsicle or fudge pop

Who Is Your Summer Walking Buddy?

If you already know who your summer walking buddy is going to be, you are well on the way to putting in a healthy, active summer. If you do not yet know who will be your walking partner, we suggest that you work on finding one. Having an exercise partner can spur weight loss by helping you to work out more consistently, pushing you harder in workouts, and being a supportive friend who can listen to your struggles and encourage you to stay on track. It is easier to get up at dawn before the day gets brutally hot or go walking in the evening hours when you know that your walking partner is waiting for you right outside.

A neighbor can be an ideal walking partner because it is so convenient for you and your neighbor to meet up for walks around the neighborhood. If you know of any of your neighbors who are already walkers, ask whether you can join them on one of their walks. Another approach is to knock on neighbors’ doors to ask whether they might be interested in joining you for a walk or even starting a walking group. You will get a lot of polite refusals, but at least knocking on doors lets you meet your neighbors. Best of all, in addition to the “no’s,” you are bound to get one or more enthusiastic acceptances. Now you’re ready for summer!

Set Your Pre-Vacation Weight Loss Goals

We still have almost another month of spring, but Memorial Day feels like the unofficial start to summer. For many of us, life is a little slower-paced during the summer. Children are out of school, and you might be able to get an extra afternoon off from work every so often.

Whether you are planning to travel for a few weeks or you are simply hoping for the occasional weekend trip to the beach, you can use your upcoming summer plans as motivation to work even harder at following your weight loss surgery diet. Make your goals specific and doable to give yourself a boost. These are some examples of goals to set.

• Lose 10 pounds before my cruise sets sail next month.
• Lose a dress size before my grandson’s wedding.
• Come up with five high-protein, low-calorie dishes to take to the beach for a picnic.
• Exercise five times a week for the next four weeks so I’ll be in shape to walk with my family when we go to Disney World.

Now that you’re armed with the tips and suggestions in this newsletter, why don’t enjoy the long weekend with your family, and then head on over to BariatricPal for a bit? We can’t wait to find out how you’re going to spend your summer!

[kll724 3,055]

Thanks Alex. I just got back from church. I sing in the choir and we had a great turnout to sing Memorial Day Songs! It was a great day to commemorate Memorial day. Picnic and swimming this afternoon!

[rivergirl14 30]

great suggestions, and very motivational, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!