Hi folks!

So I'm officially on board the surgery train! I meet with my doctor for the first time at the end of the month, but I've begun nutritional courses already.

I went into my first nutrition class thinking I was perfect and knew it all. Well, while it was mostly true (HAH!), I did learn some nasty truths about myself.

I went in knowing how to eat healthy, read a label, drink tons of Water and not drink coffee. I already exercise regularly. So when it came time to set some goals between class 1 and class 2 (coming up in a few weeks), I opted to learn HOW to eat.

That's the one that requires you to slow down. Eat over the course of 30 minutes, chew heavily, don't drink while eating, etc. It turns out I'm a mess and need work!

I bought an adorable mini fork and spoon. Last night I was eating chicken and rice and able to balance about 4 grains of rice on the spoon. I was getting frustrated and realized I wanted to shovel giant mouthfuls in at once. In the past week, I've also noticed that (unsurprisingly) eating slower really does help me fill up faster.

Unfortunately, I learned that my big problem is stopping when I'm satisfied. I'm definitely a card carrying member of the 'Clean Plate Club" and it is kind of terrifying how ingrained that is. I'll be full (but not uncomfortably full) and my mind keeps saying "just one more bite. It's a tiny fork."

When I listen, I feel good. For example, I only ate half a container of my leftovers yesterday and saved the other half for today's lunch. Normally I'd wolf the entire thing down in 10 minutes without a second thought. Stopping when I will end up throwing the leftovers away is the problem for me.

So there's what I'm going through in the first steps of this journey. What did you learn about yourself in the first few weeks? Did any of you have similar issues? Any suggestions how to fight the urge to finish even when I am sated?

I was raised in a "clean your plate" environment. Little children were starving in Biafra and all that. Put this in your mind every time you want to eat every last scrap.

^{@ littlebill your too funny!!! Oh and I have to try the little spoon thing : ) I also think I''ll put my food on a smaller plate just to see if it helps me mentally. Great post!}

@@LittleBill Major props to the Meaning of Life reference, but all that scene does is make me giggle. Sadly it isn't very effective at stopping me.

@@Raymia The little spoon/little fork thing is such a game changer. If you're not eating finger food, it slows you down significantly.

I'll always try to set up appropriate serving sizes when I serve dinner, but I want to try the smaller plate thing too. I know that the amount I'll be able to eat is going to change dramatically soon, I really need to try to cut down!

Edited December 7, 20169 yr by jessgnc

same here! @Jessnc

Add chopsticks to the mix. That'll slow things down even more. That's what I'm going to do when I can eat again

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Add chopsticks to the mix. That'll slow things down even more. That's what I'm going to do when I can eat again

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's another great slowdown tip! But what do you do when even after you have slowed down and are full, you're stupidly determined to finish your whole plate?

This is such an ingrained problem for me. A few years ago, my husband and I had a big fight about my feeling guilty over throwing away things like a cup of leftover rice instead of saving it for another night's meal. I just REALLY struggle at throwing away anything edible. I wonder if this is something I can work on during my required therapy sessions.

Add chopsticks to the mix. That'll slow things down even more. That's what I'm going to do when I can eat again

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's another great slowdown tip! But what do you do when even after you have slowed down and are full, you're stupidly determined to finish your whole plate?

This is such an ingrained problem for me. A few years ago, my husband and I had a big fight about my feeling guilty over throwing away things like a cup of leftover rice instead of saving it for another night's meal. I just REALLY struggle at throwing away anything edible. I wonder if this is something I can work on during my required therapy sessions.

Get yourself a portable four legged garbage disposal. They are amazing at getting rid of the leftovers. Here is mine in action.

When you plan a dinner, already plan a second dinner with the leftovers. Example. You have Beans and rice separate. Plan on refried beans and Spanish rice the next day and already tell yourself you need to save half the food for tomorrow night. It should help you get smaller portions to start with

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

@@LittleBill Major props to the Meaning of Life reference, but all that scene does is make me giggle. Sadly it isn't very effective at stopping me.

@@Raymia The little spoon/little fork thing is such a game changer. If you're not eating finger food, it slows you down significantly.

I'll always try to set up appropriate serving sizes when I serve dinner, but I want to try the smaller plate thing too. I know that the amount I'll be able to eat is going to change dramatically soon, I really need to try to cut down!

There is a lot of quoting of Monty Python in this house. Even our daughters have gotten in on it.

Add chopsticks to the mix. That'll slow things down even more. That's what I'm going to do when I can eat again

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's another great slowdown tip! But what do you do when even after you have slowed down and are full, you're stupidly determined to finish your whole plate?

This is such an ingrained problem for me. A few years ago, my husband and I had a big fight about my feeling guilty over throwing away things like a cup of leftover rice instead of saving it for another night's meal. I just REALLY struggle at throwing away anything edible. I wonder if this is something I can work on during my required therapy sessions.

Trust me, the first couple of times you think "one bite more" and you take that bite, and you are MISERABLE for 20 minutes.... you start paying attention.

Add chopsticks to the mix. That'll slow things down even more. That's what I'm going to do when I can eat again

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's another great slowdown tip! But what do you do when even after you have slowed down and are full, you're stupidly determined to finish your whole plate?

This is such an ingrained problem for me. A few years ago, my husband and I had a big fight about my feeling guilty over throwing away things like a cup of leftover rice instead of saving it for another night's meal. I just REALLY struggle at throwing away anything edible. I wonder if this is something I can work on during my required therapy sessions.

Get yourself a portable four legged garbage disposal. They are amazing at getting rid of the leftovers. Here is mine in action.

Yeah, until the vet gets on you because the dogs each gained 15 lbs. LOL

Yeah, until the vet gets on you because the dogs each gained 15 lbs. LOL

Yeah, he'll send him to the dog POUND!

There is a lot of quoting of Monty Python in this house. Even our daughters have gotten in on it.

You'd fit in well in my home. If my husband and I aren't quoting Monty Python, Mystery Science Theater or Futurama, we're probably asleep.

Yeah, until the vet gets on you because the dogs each gained 15 lbs. LOL

Yeah, he'll send him to the dog POUND!

<GROAN>

<GROAN>

It's only going to get worse. I'm what one might call a merry wag.

You'd fit in well in my home. If my husband and I aren't quoting Monty Python, Mystery Science Theater or Futurama, we're probably asleep.

Our middle daughter is the executive director of a non profit medical facility which is Christian based. One day she was having a discussion with one of her board members who was trying to remember if one of the priests on the board was was Roman Catholic or Orthodox. She said it was all she could do to keep from blurting out, "It's tattooed on the back of his neck!" Then she said to me, "Thanks a lot, Daddy."