Before I go to bed... 2 things.
For some reason, I have been reading the boards a lot lately. I mean the WLS boards, of course. Here are the top two things that really yank my chain that people insist on posting about:
1. "I have XYZ health problem, my doctor told me this and that. What do you think I should do?"
Umm, I dunno, maybe not try to get medical advice from perfect strangers who have a very low likelihood of knowing anything about your health?!? I mean, if you don't like your doctor's advice, maybe get a second opinion. Or even ask someone you KNOW has some sort of expertise in the area, rather than random people whiling their time away on message boards. I know people like to get other people's opinions about stuff, but this is your health. Perfect example I just read tonight: the poster has a low pulse rate after gastric bypass surgery, accompanied by dizziness. She also has elevated liver enzymes. Her doc refers her to a cardiologist, and now she puts it up to the experts at oh-aych dot com to tell her what to do next. Am I missing something here???
2. "I/my mom/my son's teacher had surgery and this terrible complication (that I fully recovered from, in fact never had any untoward effect from it and my health is fine now) happened and now I don't know what to do?"
The answer to that question, on the boards, is always a resounding: "Sue the bastard! Get a new doctor! What an incompetent fool!" Now, I get very edgy about this particular thing. Often what has happened is so-and-so went in for surgery (elective surgery, mind you, for morbid obesity, that the person has signed INFORMED CONSENT for which details most of the complications that might happen because YOU ARE ASKING SOMEONE TO CUT YOU OPEN) and their surgery is not completed because the surgeon nicked something or made some mistake--they close the patient, let them wake up, tell them what happened, and the person wants to know if they should have the surgery as rescheduled for the next week with the same doc or not. There aren't any residual effects from the surgical error, except that they didn't wake up with the procedure they expected to be done. Yet everyone is quick with their chorus of "Sue the bastard" and "Don't let him touch you!" and "what an incompetent idiot!" etc etc. Am I the only one who gets annoyed by this? For one thing, EVERY SURGEON, every doctor, every health care practitioner out there, makes mistakes. They are made on patients. Good ones, bad ones, they all make mistakes because they are EFFING HUMAN BEINGS. I mean, all the world's administrators, teachers, postal workers, truck drivers, cooks, lawyers, database administrators--they all make mistakes every day. Yes, I realize that health care professionals are held to a higher standard because their mistakes can cost someone their health or their life, and we should be held to a higher standard, absolutely. But still, mistakes will be made. How lucky are you to be the one on whom the mistake that was made didn't cost you your life or your health? Maybe some inconvenience, an extra scar, some worry until you are sure that you are fine? Of course, some people make a lot of mistakes, and certainly some health care professionals of all breeds are truly incompetent. But people are so quick to assume that any mistake at all indicates that the person cannot be trusted, is not a professional, is clearly not educated or skilled enough to care for patients. Excuse me? How do you think it is possible to do ANYTHING as a human being without making some mistakes? The mark of a competent surgeon, in my opinion, is the one who will come to you in the recovery room or in your room when you wake up, explain what happened to you, tell you what was done and what will be done to make sure you are okay, and apologize for the error and worry. Unfortunately, most docs are trained to never apologize because that admits guilt, which invites malpractice suits. The research has shown that patients who were apologized to by their caregiver were far less likely to sue than those who weren't. But anyway. The other thing about it that drives me crazy is the suing thing. We are obviously very quick to litigate in the US, and especially in cases of surgical errors. People assume that a, surgeons are infallible, unless they are incompetent, b, they are loaded, and c, this is the time to cash out. What does this do? Clog the judicial system with frivolous lawsuits. Drive up health care costs for everyone. Drive competent providers out of business because of the insurance premiums after one of these (almost always) frivolous suits. Reduce available funding for valuable research. And most importantly, it doesn't do anything to change the outcome of what happened, and it doesn't change the fact that mistakes will happen as long as humans are practicing health care. It's simply wrong, all around. Lawsuits should be brought by people with legitimate cases: people who were harmed by true incompetence or negligence.
It's enough to make me crazy.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Readin', 'Ritin', 'Rithmatic....
Man, studying sucks sometimes. I just don't have the kind of concentration that I need to get all this materiel in my thick head. There are sooo many distractions, and I'd really rather do just about anything than draw diagrams of cell receptors. Or pictures of cellular mitosis. Or other stuff that I learned, oh, the LAST time I was in college, like 15 years ago. But here I am, and this is now my full time job, so it's time to suck it up and learn it all.
Today was a BEAUTIFUL day too, as long as you didn't look down at the streets full of mud and half melted snow. Sunny, blue sky, 40 degrees. Not an icicle in sight. I did end up going for a little walk in the slush around dusk, just to get some air, and I went to the gym in the evening, when I thought the crush of children might have died down at the YMCA. The Y I go to has this amazing pool, or pools really: a big lap pool and a big activity pool with a water slide and some other child friendly features. I'm sure it is busy year-round, but especially in the winter it seems every suburban mom in the Inland Northwest packs up her brood and brings them to the pool at the Y on the weekend. Which is fine. But what kills me is the locker room: filled with screaming, unsupervised children. Boy children, too old to be changing in the women's locker room (they have a "Family Changing Room" for moms who have boy children who are officially too old for the women's locker room--over age 5). And kids running, taking pictures while you are changing, and the Baby Jesus music playing...aaahhh. I try to avoid the locker room as much as possible. I realize that parents are used to this kind of cacaphony, but it is not a part of my daily life, and it doesn't really help my nerves any. Unfortunately, this YMCA is the only gym I could stand to work out in when I moved to Spokane. People apparently don't really work out here, or they aren't very picky about where they do it. So I went from my beloved March Wellness in Portland, which had a quiet atmosphere much like a giant yoga studio, to McDonaldland.
Ahem. That was the long version of the story. Maybe I shouldn't have kids.
Ok, off to study, then bed!
Today was a BEAUTIFUL day too, as long as you didn't look down at the streets full of mud and half melted snow. Sunny, blue sky, 40 degrees. Not an icicle in sight. I did end up going for a little walk in the slush around dusk, just to get some air, and I went to the gym in the evening, when I thought the crush of children might have died down at the YMCA. The Y I go to has this amazing pool, or pools really: a big lap pool and a big activity pool with a water slide and some other child friendly features. I'm sure it is busy year-round, but especially in the winter it seems every suburban mom in the Inland Northwest packs up her brood and brings them to the pool at the Y on the weekend. Which is fine. But what kills me is the locker room: filled with screaming, unsupervised children. Boy children, too old to be changing in the women's locker room (they have a "Family Changing Room" for moms who have boy children who are officially too old for the women's locker room--over age 5). And kids running, taking pictures while you are changing, and the Baby Jesus music playing...aaahhh. I try to avoid the locker room as much as possible. I realize that parents are used to this kind of cacaphony, but it is not a part of my daily life, and it doesn't really help my nerves any. Unfortunately, this YMCA is the only gym I could stand to work out in when I moved to Spokane. People apparently don't really work out here, or they aren't very picky about where they do it. So I went from my beloved March Wellness in Portland, which had a quiet atmosphere much like a giant yoga studio, to McDonaldland.
Ahem. That was the long version of the story. Maybe I shouldn't have kids.
Ok, off to study, then bed!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Checking in
Life as a student is moving right along. School is busy, scary at times, but exciting. I can't believe that a year from now I will know as much as the juniors know now. It's amazing what can happen in a year.
I officially hit 50 lbs lost this week, about 5 weeks before the 1 year post op mark. (Or my first bandiversary, as some call it.) I only have to lose 2 more lbs to maintain the 1 lb per week average, which I mention because it seems likely that I might only lose 2 lbs between now and then. It's so up and down. Maybe if I fine tune my eating habits a bit, find the areas where I've been getting lax over the last several months, it will help. I do know that I am in a rebuilding phase right now, having just started strength training again in December after being away from it for a year. I lost about 40 lbs without strength training, and lost quite a bit of lean mass with that, so now I have to rebuild muscle so I can burn off the fat. That will take me some time. But, on a brighter note, I'm at the lowest weight I've been since I was about 19. I was thinking today about how happy I am to be wearing size 10 jeans now, and how we love certain sizes on the way down and hated them on the way up. I remember pretty clearly being a size 4 in junior high, a 6 in high school, and when I first had to go to a size 10--double digits--I was about 17 or 18 and was just appalled. Now it's been so long since I saw single digits, the size 10 is delightful. It's all about perspective.
So I officially have about 24 lbs to lose to reach my goal, but my goal gives me a BMI of about 28. I've always seen it as a long shot anyway, and only have a glimmer of a thought that I might be able to get lower than that. I don't know how I'll look or feel at that weight, but I suspect it might not really be overweight for me, despite what the BMI charts would say. That's the big mystery waiting for me at the end of the weight loss rainbow. But I need a goal before that, and I think my next one is just another 5 lbs. If I lost 3 more lbs before March 13, I'd be happy, and I would be just over 1 lb per week weight loss in my first year. Most people lose at a much faster rate than that, but I'm not most people, clearly. And I'm pretty much okay with that.
The snow tried to melt today, the temp got up to about 38 degrees and most of the icicles fell off the houses. The streets are wet and slushy. It's supposed to be in the 40s this weekend. But there is still plenty of snow on the ground. It will take a long time for all that to melt, especially since most of the storm drains are packed with snow from the snow plows. I think we are in for some more snow before this all goes away, but it can't happen soon enough for me. I'm over it!
I officially hit 50 lbs lost this week, about 5 weeks before the 1 year post op mark. (Or my first bandiversary, as some call it.) I only have to lose 2 more lbs to maintain the 1 lb per week average, which I mention because it seems likely that I might only lose 2 lbs between now and then. It's so up and down. Maybe if I fine tune my eating habits a bit, find the areas where I've been getting lax over the last several months, it will help. I do know that I am in a rebuilding phase right now, having just started strength training again in December after being away from it for a year. I lost about 40 lbs without strength training, and lost quite a bit of lean mass with that, so now I have to rebuild muscle so I can burn off the fat. That will take me some time. But, on a brighter note, I'm at the lowest weight I've been since I was about 19. I was thinking today about how happy I am to be wearing size 10 jeans now, and how we love certain sizes on the way down and hated them on the way up. I remember pretty clearly being a size 4 in junior high, a 6 in high school, and when I first had to go to a size 10--double digits--I was about 17 or 18 and was just appalled. Now it's been so long since I saw single digits, the size 10 is delightful. It's all about perspective.
So I officially have about 24 lbs to lose to reach my goal, but my goal gives me a BMI of about 28. I've always seen it as a long shot anyway, and only have a glimmer of a thought that I might be able to get lower than that. I don't know how I'll look or feel at that weight, but I suspect it might not really be overweight for me, despite what the BMI charts would say. That's the big mystery waiting for me at the end of the weight loss rainbow. But I need a goal before that, and I think my next one is just another 5 lbs. If I lost 3 more lbs before March 13, I'd be happy, and I would be just over 1 lb per week weight loss in my first year. Most people lose at a much faster rate than that, but I'm not most people, clearly. And I'm pretty much okay with that.
The snow tried to melt today, the temp got up to about 38 degrees and most of the icicles fell off the houses. The streets are wet and slushy. It's supposed to be in the 40s this weekend. But there is still plenty of snow on the ground. It will take a long time for all that to melt, especially since most of the storm drains are packed with snow from the snow plows. I think we are in for some more snow before this all goes away, but it can't happen soon enough for me. I'm over it!
Nighttime Eating
I think most of us with serious weight problems have trouble with late night snacking. I certainly do, although it's probably not the single biggest reason why I became morbidly obese. (Ice cream for breakfast might be.) Still, we all struggle with nighttime eating, it seems.
This is an excerpt of an article that I stole from Melting Mama's blog. It has some good tips that I wanted to include. Some of them are reminders of things we used to do...I know there are things on this list that I remember working on when I was getting ready to have surgery, and I've sort of forgotten about them. So this is a nice reminder on how to get back on track. Enjoy.
Why We Eat at Night
There are many reasons why so many of our total calories tend to be eaten during and after dinner, including physiological, emotional, cultural, and possibly evolutionary influences. They include: It's part of our culture to eat a large dinner. It's also customary in many homes to enjoy a large dessert after dinner. Some people, especially women, skip meals or undereat during the day. It can take quite a lot of food to satisfy the body's hunger after a day of undereating. Overeating at dinner or late at night may help to calm people from stresses that build during the day. Studies show that meals eaten with others are, on average, 44% larger than meals eaten alone. Since dinner tends to be the meal that is more often shared, this may partially explain why it's also most likely to be the largest meal. From an evolutionary perspective, nighttime used to represent the longest time period without food and activity. In modern times; however, artificial light allows people to remain awake and continue to eat, perhaps, contributing to obesity. Tips for Overcoming Nighttime Noshing But even with all this working against us, experts say, it is possible to avoid nighttime overeating. If you're a nighttime nosher, here are some tips to help you kick the habit:
1. Get in the habit of enjoying a hot cup of decaffeinated tea at night. Tea comes in so many great flavors that you'll never be bored. In the warmer months, have a glass of iced tea instead.
2. Many people snack at night because they're bored. Keep your evenings interesting, and you'll find it easier to refrain from mindless snacking. Take a night class, plan an evening exercise session, find a new and interesting book or hobby, etc.
3. If you've gotten into the habit of eating in front of the television, vow to eat only in the kitchen and only drink no-calorie beverages while watching TV. Or limit your TV eating to fruits and vegetables. Occupy your hands in other ways -- ride a stationary bike, do exercises with an exercise ball, take up knitting, pay bills, or write notes to friends.
4. Because evening meals and snacks tend to be the highest in fat, it's especially important to make healthy food choices at this time. Go for foods that are rich in nutrients, high in fiber, and balanced with some lean protein and a little bit of "better" fat (like olive or canola oil, avocado, or nuts).
5. Though you don't want to eat too many calories at dinner, for some people, a small dinner could lead to a late-night snacking tailspin. Eat a balanced, high-fiber dinner. If you get hungry later, enjoy a smart and satisfying evening snack like low-fat yogurt with a sprinkle of whole-grain cereal, fruit with a few slices of cheese, or whole-grain cereal with milk.
6. Have a balanced, higher-fiber lunch and afternoon snack to help avoid overeating at dinner.
7. Don't skip breakfast. "When people skip breakfast, they end up eating more calories by the end of the day, and we know that they end up compensating for this skipped meal with high-sugar, high-fat foods," explains Bowman.
8. People who eat small, frequent meals tend to eat fewer total calories and fat grams than those who eat larger meals less often. Try eating small, frequent meals to see if it improves the way you eat and feel.
9. If you're in the habit of finishing your day with dessert, try having a mini-portion. The first few bites of a food always taste the best, anyway. Experts say a petite portion is more likely to satisfy if you choose a dessert you truly enjoy, take your time and savor every bite, and accompany your treat with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
SOURCES: The Journal of Nutrition, January 2004. Physiology & Behavior, 1987, vol 40. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, December 1994. Body Mass Index New Research, 2005. Shanthy Bowman, PhD, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. John M. de Castro, PhD, chairman, department of psychology, University of Texas, El Paso. Edward Saltzman, MD, energy metabolism scientist, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston.
This is an excerpt of an article that I stole from Melting Mama's blog. It has some good tips that I wanted to include. Some of them are reminders of things we used to do...I know there are things on this list that I remember working on when I was getting ready to have surgery, and I've sort of forgotten about them. So this is a nice reminder on how to get back on track. Enjoy.
Why We Eat at Night
There are many reasons why so many of our total calories tend to be eaten during and after dinner, including physiological, emotional, cultural, and possibly evolutionary influences. They include: It's part of our culture to eat a large dinner. It's also customary in many homes to enjoy a large dessert after dinner. Some people, especially women, skip meals or undereat during the day. It can take quite a lot of food to satisfy the body's hunger after a day of undereating. Overeating at dinner or late at night may help to calm people from stresses that build during the day. Studies show that meals eaten with others are, on average, 44% larger than meals eaten alone. Since dinner tends to be the meal that is more often shared, this may partially explain why it's also most likely to be the largest meal. From an evolutionary perspective, nighttime used to represent the longest time period without food and activity. In modern times; however, artificial light allows people to remain awake and continue to eat, perhaps, contributing to obesity. Tips for Overcoming Nighttime Noshing But even with all this working against us, experts say, it is possible to avoid nighttime overeating. If you're a nighttime nosher, here are some tips to help you kick the habit:
1. Get in the habit of enjoying a hot cup of decaffeinated tea at night. Tea comes in so many great flavors that you'll never be bored. In the warmer months, have a glass of iced tea instead.
2. Many people snack at night because they're bored. Keep your evenings interesting, and you'll find it easier to refrain from mindless snacking. Take a night class, plan an evening exercise session, find a new and interesting book or hobby, etc.
3. If you've gotten into the habit of eating in front of the television, vow to eat only in the kitchen and only drink no-calorie beverages while watching TV. Or limit your TV eating to fruits and vegetables. Occupy your hands in other ways -- ride a stationary bike, do exercises with an exercise ball, take up knitting, pay bills, or write notes to friends.
4. Because evening meals and snacks tend to be the highest in fat, it's especially important to make healthy food choices at this time. Go for foods that are rich in nutrients, high in fiber, and balanced with some lean protein and a little bit of "better" fat (like olive or canola oil, avocado, or nuts).
5. Though you don't want to eat too many calories at dinner, for some people, a small dinner could lead to a late-night snacking tailspin. Eat a balanced, high-fiber dinner. If you get hungry later, enjoy a smart and satisfying evening snack like low-fat yogurt with a sprinkle of whole-grain cereal, fruit with a few slices of cheese, or whole-grain cereal with milk.
6. Have a balanced, higher-fiber lunch and afternoon snack to help avoid overeating at dinner.
7. Don't skip breakfast. "When people skip breakfast, they end up eating more calories by the end of the day, and we know that they end up compensating for this skipped meal with high-sugar, high-fat foods," explains Bowman.
8. People who eat small, frequent meals tend to eat fewer total calories and fat grams than those who eat larger meals less often. Try eating small, frequent meals to see if it improves the way you eat and feel.
9. If you're in the habit of finishing your day with dessert, try having a mini-portion. The first few bites of a food always taste the best, anyway. Experts say a petite portion is more likely to satisfy if you choose a dessert you truly enjoy, take your time and savor every bite, and accompany your treat with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
SOURCES: The Journal of Nutrition, January 2004. Physiology & Behavior, 1987, vol 40. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, December 1994. Body Mass Index New Research, 2005. Shanthy Bowman, PhD, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. John M. de Castro, PhD, chairman, department of psychology, University of Texas, El Paso. Edward Saltzman, MD, energy metabolism scientist, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
January snow
Ahh...more snow in Spokane. This past week it has been under 20 degrees all week, hovering mostly in the 12-16 degree range. Then this weekend, it warms up to the 30s and snows, I dunno, 6-8"? Something like that. Last night it warmed up a little more, just enough to slush it all up. Today was around 33 degrees, and made for lots of heavy, wet snow.
I did take some pictures of it:
Weight loss is slow. I think maybe I need a fill. My meals aren't very big, but they are only lasting 2-3 hours. Starting school has been stressful, I haven't been sleeping well, and I'm sure that doesn't help. I lost a couple pounds after my last fill. Then things have stood still...and gone up a little bit...TOM so I expect that will go away next week, but I'd like to be losing weight nonetheless. I've revised my time goal, though, to another 12 months to lose these 27 lbs. I might want to lose more after I get to my initial goal, but I'm not sure, so I've kept it there for now. The BMI target is a little high--over 25--but I think it might be a good spot for me. We'll see. For now I'd just be happy to get under 30 and be just "overweight".
My workouts were going well before the storm. I haven't been able to drive anywhere these past couple days, but I did get a home yoga & resistance band workout in last night. I'll try some more yoga here tonight. It was kind of fun to make it up myself, based on the classes I've taken.
I did take some pictures of it:
 |
| Spokane snow |
Weight loss is slow. I think maybe I need a fill. My meals aren't very big, but they are only lasting 2-3 hours. Starting school has been stressful, I haven't been sleeping well, and I'm sure that doesn't help. I lost a couple pounds after my last fill. Then things have stood still...and gone up a little bit...TOM so I expect that will go away next week, but I'd like to be losing weight nonetheless. I've revised my time goal, though, to another 12 months to lose these 27 lbs. I might want to lose more after I get to my initial goal, but I'm not sure, so I've kept it there for now. The BMI target is a little high--over 25--but I think it might be a good spot for me. We'll see. For now I'd just be happy to get under 30 and be just "overweight".
My workouts were going well before the storm. I haven't been able to drive anywhere these past couple days, but I did get a home yoga & resistance band workout in last night. I'll try some more yoga here tonight. It was kind of fun to make it up myself, based on the classes I've taken.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Size 10!?!
OK, this will be brief, but I am just very excited...my size 12 jeans were getting too baggy, so I headed to Old Navy to try on a 10, just to see if it was close to fitting...and they fit! Like, really fit, not just hold-my-breath-and-try-to-zip-them fit, but for real. I havne't worn a size 10 jean since probably 1993. Geez, 15 years! Bill Clinton was just inaugurated then. Nirvana hadn't made it big yet. I had just started college. I'm in shock!
The scale revealed 1 pound less today than it showed yesterday. More shock. I'm feeling pretty good.
The scale revealed 1 pound less today than it showed yesterday. More shock. I'm feeling pretty good.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
A new year, another fill
Last month was very frustrating. I went up and down by as much as 3 pounds over the last month, and ended up down 1 lb for the month...and 4 lbs the previous month. It's not an official plateau, but I'm not crazy about it, anyway.
So today I met the famous Dr Emma Patterson, the main partner at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery and the only person there I hadn't met yet. She's very sweet and friendly, younger than I thought, and seems very genuine. I can see why her patients like her so much. Anyway, she gave me a 0.2 cc fill, which allegedly brings me to 3.4cc in my band, although I'm not certain that is the case. At any rate, I am on liquids today, and soft food tomorrow. Let's hope this helps my weight loss situation.
I've never been one for New Year's resolutions, and I'm still not. Last year I really wanted to have surgery and get closer to my goal, and I have done that. I have about 30 lbs still to lose, at least. I work out 5-6 days a week, and recognize that this will be necessary for the rest of my life (and I don't see that as a bad thing). I guess my only resolution is to get through this year with my sanity intact. Any other ideas?
So today I met the famous Dr Emma Patterson, the main partner at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery and the only person there I hadn't met yet. She's very sweet and friendly, younger than I thought, and seems very genuine. I can see why her patients like her so much. Anyway, she gave me a 0.2 cc fill, which allegedly brings me to 3.4cc in my band, although I'm not certain that is the case. At any rate, I am on liquids today, and soft food tomorrow. Let's hope this helps my weight loss situation.
I've never been one for New Year's resolutions, and I'm still not. Last year I really wanted to have surgery and get closer to my goal, and I have done that. I have about 30 lbs still to lose, at least. I work out 5-6 days a week, and recognize that this will be necessary for the rest of my life (and I don't see that as a bad thing). I guess my only resolution is to get through this year with my sanity intact. Any other ideas?
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Finally!
Some scale movement...I think it's been a month. Okay, probably 2 weeks, but still. I found a gym to join in Spokane...the YMCA in Spokane Valley. It's 9 miles away by freeway. But the facility is the nicest I've found in Spokane (other than the hoity-toity Spokane Athletic Club, which you have to be sponsored for and is about $100/month) and the staff will leave me alone to do my thing. I was so put off by the folks at both OZ Fitness clubs here that wanted to put me on their 5 part plan including a food plan as per their computer program ("it's the same one they use on The Biggest Loser!" they'd crow). And they wanted to sell me their supplements. I don't appreciate their hard-sell business model, and both of the gyms I visited were cramped, noisy and had no natural light. Not a place I'd want to go to recharge. The Y is a beautiful new facility and has lots of natural light, which sold me on the spot, despite the long drive. I can also use the downtown Y, but it is unbelievably bad...old, small, falling apart. It's due to be replaced in 2008, so maybe after that I won't have to drive so far. But it's worth it to me to drive to a place I actually like being in...because I love to work out (amazingly enough) and I want a place that truly helps me recharge.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
New pictures...
Thanks, hubby, for taking these!
We're in Spokane now, mostly. I'm still going to Portland frequently, he's still coming here when I'm here and he can come out. It's not ideal. Nothing is really ideal right now...Spokane is small and I can't find a gym I like, it's far away from my husband, it's cold, my apartment is really noisy and odd...bleh. I feel terribly lonely out here.
But soon, school will start, and all of these concerns will be background noise and all but ignored. Except perhaps the noisy apartment...we'll see if we have to move in the near future.
My weight is moving ever so slowly. At least I'm not gaining...that much is good. I don't think I need another fill. But I've never gotten anything stuck, and I am not the best chewer in the world. Not even bread, apple peels, none of the usual suspects get stuck. I know this is good, but perhaps it isn't? Perhaps I should be filled a little more? I think no. I'll go with what works, keep trying to find a good gym out here, and eat like I should. 42 lbs in about 40 weeks is not terrible...not fantastic, but within reasonable expectations, right?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Moving slowly...but moving
Why does it seem like people who have the surgery I had lose weight faster than I do? And why can't I just get used to losing my weight slowly? It's about 1 lb per week, no more, sometimes a little less. I work out an hour a day, sometimes just cardio--elliptical, bike, treadmill, sometimes swimming--sometimes an exercise class like yoga or pilates (today I did pilates for the first time). Always at least an hour, and at least 4 days a week, usually 5, sometimes 6. I don't think it's too much. I'm an 85%-er with food: I follow all of my food rules about 85% of the time. (Except the water. I don't really believe in the water--- I KNOW, I KNOW, everyone says you have to drink so much water, but there is a lot of evidence to support not doing it, and it's just not going to happen for me, so get over it.) I usually have something that isn't "perfect" to eat every day, but it's usually small, less than 50 calories. I've reduced the sugars in my diet greatly. I'm trying to cut out the high fructose corn syrup, which is hard because it's in so many prepared foods. If I were a 100%-er I might lose weight more quickly, but I'm not.
So, I guess I know part of why I lose weight slowly. But some folks are lucky enough to cut the quantity of their eating with the lap band and just lose so much weight so quickly. It seems like they are the norm, but I think they are not. And it's so unproductive for me to even think about those people. I'm not one of them!
My last visit to the doc in October, I had lost about 6 lbs in a month and was right on track, and we decided not to do a fill. I thought I should just be more careful about my eating and working out and see how it goes. That was fine until the past week when I started noticing I was getting more hungry and sooner after I ate than before. I found myself foraging for food more, grazing more, and thinking about food more. So I went back today, had lost 3 lbs in the last 4 weeks, and got a fill of 0.2cc to get me to 3.2cc. Hopefully this is right. I am doing liquids and mushies today and things go down fine so it's so far, so good. I can't get too tight a fill now since I'll soon be in Spokane full time and won't be able to come back quickly for an unfill.
I might be losing more quickly if we weren't camping in our old place now with nearly no furniture or belongings...it's all in Spokane now...and eating out all the time. We're pretty good about splitting our meals and making good choices, usually, but it's still a lot of eating out, even if the quantity of food is smaller. It's kind of an uphill battle. I hate this in between time, not moved out, not moved in, nowhere to really relax and feel at home. Ugh. But we're carrying on, and in a couple weeks we'll be moved altogether.
So, I guess I know part of why I lose weight slowly. But some folks are lucky enough to cut the quantity of their eating with the lap band and just lose so much weight so quickly. It seems like they are the norm, but I think they are not. And it's so unproductive for me to even think about those people. I'm not one of them!
My last visit to the doc in October, I had lost about 6 lbs in a month and was right on track, and we decided not to do a fill. I thought I should just be more careful about my eating and working out and see how it goes. That was fine until the past week when I started noticing I was getting more hungry and sooner after I ate than before. I found myself foraging for food more, grazing more, and thinking about food more. So I went back today, had lost 3 lbs in the last 4 weeks, and got a fill of 0.2cc to get me to 3.2cc. Hopefully this is right. I am doing liquids and mushies today and things go down fine so it's so far, so good. I can't get too tight a fill now since I'll soon be in Spokane full time and won't be able to come back quickly for an unfill.
I might be losing more quickly if we weren't camping in our old place now with nearly no furniture or belongings...it's all in Spokane now...and eating out all the time. We're pretty good about splitting our meals and making good choices, usually, but it's still a lot of eating out, even if the quantity of food is smaller. It's kind of an uphill battle. I hate this in between time, not moved out, not moved in, nowhere to really relax and feel at home. Ugh. But we're carrying on, and in a couple weeks we'll be moved altogether.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
