I may have mentioned it somewhere here before, not too sure, but some years ago I was pursuing a degree in diet and nutrition. Fast forward to now, I am the one who needs reminding about it. My husband calmly told me yesterday "you can't keep talking about how you used to be, you are here now." So, I have decided as part of my journey to a better health, to pursue the studies again. Whether I go to a college or just take some online courses, I'm going to dive right back in. Number one, staying focused on it and being somewhat passionate about health and nutrition (it's always been there-just ignored it for 8 years) I know I will be successful in achieving weight loss. And finally informing and educating myself about weight loss surgery (I was one to think it was a cop-out ), I have a broader view of how to get healthy and stay healthy no matter the approach (as long as it's a healthy one).

In my "used to" years, I was always studying and it made it so much easier to stay on track. 20 years later, marriage, kids, life...I'm not the same person. I know I'm not, but I've got to work this out and be a new me. I'm starting all over again. And my hope is that I will be able to educate others through my success and even throughout my journey. I've got to stay plugged in and that's what I aim to do.

So, here's to a new me! And a new you! A new all of us! Success!

...oh, and I signed up for my first class too!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Awesome!!

Sent from my XT1635-01 using the BariatricPal App

I think I'm going to just dedicate this one thread to everything I'm going through, after all, it is my journey, right? I hope it helps others as well as it's helping me.

I have my first nutritional appointment tomorrow morning. I'm excited for it. Do I sit there and act dumb or do I share my expertise with the dietician? I don't want to come off as a know it all, cause really, I don't, but I do know a lot!

A little of my childhood, I grew up very active. My dad would lug the whole family, 5 kids and my mom, out most every weekend to go do nature trails, etc in the U.P., MI. "Say ya to da UP, eh!?" (For you Michigan folk, LOL). We had to eat healthy in the house. Rarely fried foods, and especially no junk food in the house. My mom was always secretly buying candy bars, chips, junk when my dad was at work or if we went out to run errands. Gee, wonder where I picked up that awful habit??? But overall, I was a healthy happy kid. My dad used to run fitness programs and I would always go with him. I loved working out with him and his clients. Imagine me decked out in my hot pink leotard and hot pink spandex shorts. Lol. Hey, it was the 80's!!! Even now, I like working out. Granted, I don't have all the time I want to exercise, but when I do, I enjoy the challenge. I'd see other women lifting heavy so I wanted to beat that and lift heavier. I usually do. But I still need help. My body isn't the same. I can feel how hard it is to lose 5 pounds now than my 25 year old body. Now, I hurt. My knees have been aching these last two days (weather related) but with the extra weight, ugh. Feels awful. I've got hip bursitis (all those years of the elliptical). Painful inflammation in the joint. Any age, any weight can get it, but imagine 120 more weight then needed having to move with it. Ouch.

So here I am.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited January 24, 20179 yr by Newme17

January 24th. Was supposed to meet up with a friend to workout together. But secretly I wanted to go alone. I just get it done without all the talking. Anyway, she decided not to go. I almost didn't, but I did! And boy I'm glad, as usual. A bit shaky now, did heavy weights tonight. Now it's time to wind down. ????‍♀️

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone decided to weight train a few months before surgery? If so, what has been your results, skin wise? I know a lot of people tend to do it after surgery to help with the skin, and I commend everyone for doing so, but I wonder if there's a bigger benefit beforehand????

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My intention of this thread is to share my journey with more details for the things I go through, appointments I have, info I've learned, and questions I may have. So, I hope ya'll will join me in my journey. I'll try not to be boring.

So, today I had my first dietary assessment appointment. I don't how it happened, but I'm down five pounds since last week. ??? I was pleasantly surprised. I even had a food funeral last night, my favorite, nachos! LOL The appt went quite well though. I wasn't all conceited about knowing about nutrition but I did let the dietician know I'm knowledgeable. Her final notes are "Patient is a good candidate for surgery based on NIH criteria. Patient understands diet and behavior modifications necessary to be successful and is committed to making them." Well, that's nice. Now I need to stick to it. LOL I have three more appointment (monthly) and then that'll be it. But during these months, I need to work on the following:

NO MORE CHUGGING; WORK ON SIPPING FLUIDS

START DECREASING CAFFEINE (Please!!!! Not my cold brew mocha coffee!?!?!?! ....sigh)

REPLACE Breakfast (my yummy breakfast taco--darn) WITH A Protein shake

PORTION SIZE MEALS (2 bites protein; 1 bite veggie; starch last after protein/veggie)

NO DRINKING WHILE EATING; WAIT 45 MINS TO DRINK AFTER MEALS

Okay, seems doable and pretty easy right? Nope. I epically failed today. I chugged and I didn't follow the eating pattern. I did drink a protein shake (mixed it with my coffee) and so far I haven't had anything to drink since I finished dinner--got about 20 mins to go. Tomorrow is a new day though, so I'll start again.

And again, and again, until I get this down!

Edited January 26, 20179 yr by Newme17

I need to buckle down and take my measurements and some before pics. I have a few, I guess. Mostly of my face, of course! I obviously don't like the full body ones. But if I'm going to be serious about this, I am going to show all. So, it'll come. Have to find the pics though.

As for my dietary goals, today was day two of trying what the dietician suggested. Still don't have it down pat, but it's better than yesterday. I'm super hungry though. Gonna get a snack when I get home.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App