Office Christmas Party

Well I did not do as bad as I thought I might. I made some very wise choices and ate mostly what the WW Momentum program calls filling foods that have a no point value. I still went a little over my daily limit but not to much. Next year will be the challenging one. By that time I will be on solid food but will definately not able to eat as much as I did yesterday and a number of the things I ate will no longer be a part of my diet. I will most likely end up doing what a co-worker who has had the surgery did yesterday. Eat some chopped ham and a deviled egg.

First Week's Weigh-In

First week's weigh-in at Weight-Watchers and I lost 3.2 lbs. Don't know how since I was over daily limit almost every day. Guess just getting a little more active helped. Made me feel good that inspite of myself I must have done something right in order to lose. That gave me the incentive to stay within points today even though it was the office Christmas party which is pot luck.

Another Milestone

This week marks another milestone in the journey towards WLS. I joined weight watchers. This program along with my PCP and the Dietician who works with my surgeon will be the ones who monitor my progress in documentation for final insurance approval. I will also use the group for my post surgery support group. I have been a member of weight watchers in the past and think highly of the group. Thankfully they are recognized by insurance companies as a good support group, also the membership can be paid for with my FSA. I am still struggling with staying within limits. I also have not really increased my exercise. Am planning on going tomorrow. This is difficult because my stenosis in my back has flared up really bad. Makes it really painful but with my MP3 player loaded with good tunes maybe I can get through 30 min. I also need to remind myself that exercise increases the points I'm allowed. Being in the red already after only three days is another incentive. I also have not been writing much this week. Need to just get motivated and do it.

2nd visit with PCP

Today was the second visit with my primary care physican who has to monitor me for six months to satisify the insurance company. Today's results no weight loss and it would appear 3/4 of an inch in height. Not certain just what that is about.

Did better this week

This week I did do better at sticking to the calorie limits that Dr. Thomas recommended. There were a couple of days that I went over which is a little better than only a couple of days that I stayed within limit. However, I still am not exercising enough but getting a little better there too. The percentage of protein is growing but still not where it needs to be because fat and carb percentages are still a little to high. But a little progress is better than no progress. Next week I will be back on my regular work schedule and therefore should be able to make to the gym at least a couple of days. So the program continues toward a good report on Dec. 7th.

First Baseline meeting with primary care physician

Well met with Dr. Thomas this morning and she has given me the list of things to aim for. Biggest two more exercise and eating less carbs and fat, more protein. One of the things I like about Dr. Thomas is after we discussed everything she prayed with me before I left the office and she shared that she has also been told to lose weight by her doctor because of recent health issues. Her instructions are to also get more water. Aim for 2500 calories and 30 min exercise 4 x a week. At the rate my crazy schedule is will be good to work in 2 or 3 but am really going to make the effort. So far today did stay within calorie limits but carbs too high and protein to low. I'm taking a serious look at today's food chart and will have to make some different food choices.

Slight Set Back

Well because of work schedule and something going on with Dr. Thomas have had to reschedule by appointment to begin the appointments to complete the forms necessary to statisfy Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama's requirements for them to pay for the surgery. Hopefully things will allow me to get things back on track. Also work schedule has kept me from starting back with the gym. Also seem to be have a hemroid flare-up which is making getting around hard.
Hopefully next week will improve.

Pulmonary Testing Done

This morning completed my pulmonary function test. Hopefully all goes well. Got the results back from the stress test done last Friday and everything was within normal range. One by one am getting the preliminary tests and stuff out of the way. Next Monday start the visits to my primary care physical to monitor weight loss.

Stress Test

Made it through the stress test on Friday and did well but the scan left my back hurting the rest of the day. There is something about laying on those hard tables for scans or x-rays that really irritate my back. On Wed. I have my pulmonary function test. Then next Mon. start the process of my primary care physician monitoring my weight for six months (7 visits) that is required by my insurance company so that they will pay for the surgery. The surgeon may also want to have an endoscope done before surgery because of my GERD. Hopefully everything else is recent enough that I won't have to have any of it done. Also not certain if the insurance company is going to want me to attend a support group before surgery or just after but hopefully will find out. If not I can always call the surgeon's nurse. The journey continues. Still don't have the calories down where the dietician wants them to be. I have not forced myself to the gym yet either.

First meeting with dietician and doctor

Today met with the dietician who is an old friend. Also met with the doctor. Had the H. Pyloria test which was negative. Tomorrow at 8 AM (ugh) have a stress test scheduled and then next Wednesday and pulmonary function test. Plus I also have to make an appointment with Dr. Thomas to begin the six months of carefully followed weight loss to meet the BC/BS and Tri-Care requirments for 100% coverage. Tried to calll when I got into the office but by the time I could call they had already closed. Will try again tomorrow after I finish with the stress test or sometime before noon.

Blew it big time

The trip to the commissary Saturday was again my undoing. I purchased three containers of my favorite chocolates and have already (Monday) eaten almost all of them and will most likely finish them tonight. Now I do know if I get the surgery that will not continue to be a problem since I will not be able to eat sugar period, or at least not that much. I also know that I will not be able to eat the amount of pizza I ate Saturday night. In recording my food so far today if I could stop right where I am and not eat anything else I would be just slightly over 1800 calories. However, I know I will not be able to do that at this time. Another reason for the surgery.

October 16, 2009

Today is my 62nd birthday. My goal by my 63rd birthday is to have had my surgery and be well on my way to loosing/if not already at, my first 100 pounds. I am going through my wardrobe with eager anticipation of what I can hope to still be wearing at that point in time. Much of it will still work. Somethings will have to be altered but most will still be working even after that point. So here's to a year of loosing BIG Time.

Doing Better

Well the last two days have had the calorie level down and protein levels up but still need further improvement.

Doing a little bit better

My calorie count and food goals were a little bit closer to my goals. Still eating way to much fat and carbs but getting better. Doubt that I will be able to really get this down until after the surgery but am working on doing better. If I could get my daily calorie count down to 2200 or less and up my protein to 25% of total calories, that would be a good start towards what I will need to do once I have the surgery.

My WLS Bucket List

Many people by now have watched the movie Bucket List. I even use it in my therapy groups occassionally. Recently a friend posted on his blog his bucket list for getting out into nature like he enjoys doings. It got me to thinking about why I am planning on this surgery. It is so that I can accomplish somethings on my own bucket list.
Be able to walk in the park or along the Indian Creek Greenway.
Be able to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica, preferrable on a Kairos trip.
Be able to find fashionable clothes at Target and Walmart again.
Be able to ride in a hot air balloon.
Be able to sit comfortably in stadium, movie theater, and airplane seats.
Be able to stand and walk for longer than 10 minutes at a time.
Cut my grocery bill so that I can do other things with that money.
Learn to kayak or canoe.
These are just a few things that I could think of right off the top of my head.

Still struggling with eating too much

Yesterday was probably the worst day yet. Since I was home all day ate way more than I should have. I did not even record it yet in FitDay but know it is bad and today has not started off much better.

Still am having problems sticking to calorie limit for pre-surgery period. Will go to BariatricEating.com forum here shortly and ask for suggestions. Really need to get this under control if I want to lose any weight before the surgery. I am also taking advantage of the protein drinks and stuff and have successfuly been eating the increased about of protein.

Still struggling to get it right

I am still struggling with night time eating. I did not go as overboard last night but still ate more than was on my daily plan. I even read and worked on my knitting in a effort to keep from thinking about food. I know I was not hungry. Wished I could find something that had little or no calories or carbs that would satisfy my need to eat. So far have found nothing that worked. Have in the past even tried ice, gum, celery but nothing seems to be that effective.

Not off to a good start

Well so far protein eaten has gone up but calories eaten have not come down because of some poor choices. Most in the area of eating candy. I know following the surgery I will have not choice but to stop eating candy because of the nasty consequences of eating anything with sugar or fat. I also did not get up and walk as planned this morning. The sky was so gray and overcast just wanted to go back to sleep until about 11:00 AM when I had to get up and go to work. Even that idea was thwarted thanks to the UPS man delivering some of the books I order. Since he knocked on the door my goofy old dachsund had to start barking and woke up the whole household. So much for more sleep. Another big problem I had last night besides eating candy was that around 11PM got hungry and ate turkey and string cheese. If that happens tonight will instead make up some sugar free pudding or eat sugar free jello (already prepared). It should probably be the pudding since that would also increase amount of protein eaten. I am just bearly staying in line with the amount that I should eat. Also need to really look at amount of fat in diet. May need to begin my own person custom foods to make certain I am recording this first. The reason I say that is because selecting the puddings on FitDay.com seems to record a lot of fat grams and wonder if they recorded this based on using whole milk instead of skimmed milk.

New flavors

In an order to be able to add new flavors to my post surgery I purchased some new items when I went grocery shopping last Saturday. One of the items purchased as Wasbai Sauce. Now I knew it was hot and spice but did not realize just how hot. Got a little more than I intended on a shrimp at lunch time. Almost took my breath away. It was like the time I attempted to eat a whole teaspoon full of freshly ground horseradish. When I limited it to just a tiny bit though it was quite good. So far am finding the protein supplements used for shakes and to add to flavored drinks pleasant, if not wonderful. Now if I can just say the same about regular exercise. Was not able to do any this morning because of a monthly meeting at church this morning plan to do that tomorrow. If the rain holds off will attempt to do some walking here at work.

Beginning

Last Wednesday has my first appointment where I met with the Weight Loss Consultant. My appointment with the dietician and my WL surgeon is scheduled for October 22. Since obesity is a factor in cancer it seems only fitting that I start this journal in October Breast Cancer Awareness month. As a breast cancer survivor I do have to be aware that obesity could lead to a reoccurrence of my breast cancer or another cancer in another part of my body. I have also had a small skin cancer removed from my face.
This weekend I purchase some different protein powders and soy milk to begin my high protein low carb diet that I will have to go on any way. The powders are not the greatest thing but they are not totally unpalatable. I will of course also maintain my food dairy on www.fitday.com which I have done before. I also need to begin exercising at least 3 days a week. Therefore, plan on walking/biking for 30 minutes a day at least 3-4 days a week. This is something I really have to work at. Walking right now is uncomfortable because of my back but think I can manage to make it to the Wellness Center and walking on treadmill and riding the recument bike/ellipical rider. When time permits I can begin to try to walk around the building (or at least half) at work.
I say all of that but then today have not done anything, nor do I plan on doing anything. I have so many things to do around the house so for now am working on these. Will just have to see how this goes.