Rewiring

I've just been quietly going about my business this week. Rewiring my attitude towards food is complex and time consuming. Last night I made Sloppy Joe's for dinner. Kris and Don had buns. I had it on lettuce, LOTS of lettuce. Also had grated cheddar cheese on it. Probably had too much cheese on it. More rewiring. But, it was like a taco salad. I liked it better than with a bun. Waldorf salad accompanied.

Today

Well, this morning has come and gone. The colonoscopy was a cinch. I even recovered from the twilight sedation with no problems. I was alert within five minutes and the dizziness of the anesthesia was gone in an hour. I was able to eat a lunch of clam chowder within an hour after the procedure and really feel fine. I had been a bit anxious about this because Don's recovery three months ago too so much longer and seemed a lot more uncomfortable. In reality, the worst part of the entire procedure was drinking that too sweet, tartish, lemony flavored gunk.

I'm focused now on proper eating - eliminating fried foods, most anything that is white, and carbonated drinks and sadly, Mexican and Chinese for the time being. Also continuing to increase the fruits and vegetables. Have lots of tomatos from the garden so am enjoying those on everything.

Between now and August 25th, I'll be posting my weight each week. After my next DMC weightloss meeting, I'll post the weight that shows on their scale. This morning, at home, I was 265. Last Tuesday on the DMC scale, I was 270.8, down from 273.4. Since I started a month ago, I've lost 5-6 pounds overall. Slow is good. My goal is to get it off and then keep it off. In August 2010, I would like to weight 198. That was my weight when I started this job in Jan. 1989. In August 2010 I retire. My weightloss goal after that is whatever I end up at that feels comfortable - 150ish would be nice.

Too Sweet Lemons

Oh man, the stuff I have to drink for the colonoscopy is nasty. Anyway, it doesn't taste too badly starting out but after about a cup (and that's the first of 4) it gets a little tough to take. My second round starts at 3 a.m. Who's idea was THAT?

I had a bowl of cereal this morning and that's it but I'm not a bit hungry. In fact, this stuff makes me feel bloated. Yuck. I think the procedure itself will be a piece of cake since I'll sleep through it. I'm not enjoying the before and don't expect to enjoy the after either. Maybe I can sleep through the after too. Whoa, that would be nice.

Yesterday

Last night after work I was at the DMC weight loss meeting again, my first since the 14th. I've lost 3 lbs. Since All Care expects me to loss 27 lbs, I have quite a ways to go. The next meeting is Aug. 25th.

Tomorrow I start my 24 hours purge of my system before having a colonoscopy Friday morning. Things won't be pretty for a while.

More about that afterwards.

This morning . . .

. . . I had quiche and fruit at HOJ. I'm always surprised at how filling and satisfying it is. I may be skipping lunch today. Feeling very full even as I approach 11 a.m.

I'm still re-thinking this entire lap band idea. I know that Toni will be very happy to hear this.

More later
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Reflections on Tuesday Evening

I have a lot to think about. I went to an information and orientation meeting regarding bariatric surgery and lap band surgery. I have no interest in the bariatric surgery but lap band has a big appeal. At least it DID. I left all my notes at home but here is what I remember, in no particular order.

no coffee after surgery for ten days and then only decaf.

liquid diet for ten days after surgery.

multivitamin supplements are critical. Flintstone Complete chewables and choco-calcium are easy to consume and the chewing predigests them.

As I go along, I will discover what works in my body now and what does not. I should not be surprised that there will be many things I cannot eat anymore because I just will not be able to tolerate the food.

Lots more and I will fill in from my notes later however - here is my initial reaction.

Lap band, used as a tool, forces me to do what I could do freewill if I just got my act together. Taking vitamins in good. I'll get the items mentioned about the next time I need to pick up calcium plus D. Modifying and constantly watch food is good. I'm expected to do it to lose weight whether I have the surgery or not. Exercise can't be overlooked just because lap band is in place. In essence, I'm doing all the things I would normally do without surgery and giving up the pleasure that food gives.

MORE Later

Tip from Tammy

Good information here from Tammy S., one of my readers -

It's VERY important to try & eat breakfast. That makes a BIG difference in your caloric intake for the day. People who eat breakfast tend not to overeat as much later in the day. Definitely work on getting more calories (at least 1/2 your daily calories) before 1 pm. It helps avoid being too hungry at night and overeating.

It's hard to change old habits, so just take baby steps and keep working on it. With the lap band surgery I'm sure you'll have to eat smaller, more frequent meals, so this is a good thing to start working on.

Keep up the good work :)
Tammy
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Thanks Tammy - every little tip helps.
Breakfast today was

Mixed fruit - 150 cals
4 saltine crackers 52
Total 202 calories
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Lunch today
2 slices whole grain bread 140
2 slices turkey bologne 50
1 slice cheddar cheese 114
greentea lemonade 110
Total - 414 calories

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Dinner today
5 oz lean slo-cooker beef 331
1 white potato w/skin 65
lettuce with 3T dressing 120
greentea lemonade 110
Total - 626
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TOTAL for the day is 1242 calories

I drank a lot of water, my greentea lemonade 110 calories (don't have countrytime yet. will get it tomorrow).
and ice tea at starbucks unsweetened.