I'll be off on holiday on Saturday for a week and probably won't have Internet access while I'm away - so be aware that I am unlikely to be able to post. I have also missed a couple of posts in the past few days because I have been working on a tight deadline at work and putting in 15 hour days!
I do value your visits to my blog so keep coming along for a read - and, as always, feel free to add a comment or two.
Whatever and wherever you are with weight, weight loss, bands and all that, be careful out there and keep up the good work!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Frustrated
Yeah, I'm getting frustrated with a lack of 'action' from my band. I posted a week or so ago saying that at last, because I'd had my first fill, I felt like a proper bandit. Unfortunately I spoke too soon. I have just been reading some posts on the UKGastricBand forum from people who have got a good level of restriction, and thinking that because I don't yet have any, I'm still not really 'in their gang'. At one point I was reading about someone who experienced vomiting and pain after getting good restriction - because they hadn't got into the habit of chewing small pieces of food, and eating slowly. I know it sounds daft, but at this moment in time I'd quite like some vomiting and pain!!! I feel as though I have this thing inside me that's supposed to be doing a job - and it isn't doing it. I'm naturally very impatient so I really am getting a bit frustrated now. I have said this before, but I think that if I'd realised back in November, that it could be several months before the band started to work, I just might have had second thoughts....... though probably not, in reality, that's just my emotions talking!
I'm off on my skiiing holiday on Saturday (at last - the knee has healed fine!) so will have a week away without any bathroms or kitchen scales or calorie books. I'm going to be as sensible as I am able, bearing in mind that we have a half board holiday booked and I will be expending a lot of energy. At any rate, I think the activity will quell my frustration for a while. Eight days after our return I have my second fill already booked. I can't wait. I want something to happen - I want to eat something and then feel full. I want to stop feeling hungry - which I have been increasingly over the past couple of weeks (ironically, since I had my first fill). I'll keep you posted as always.
I'm off on my skiiing holiday on Saturday (at last - the knee has healed fine!) so will have a week away without any bathroms or kitchen scales or calorie books. I'm going to be as sensible as I am able, bearing in mind that we have a half board holiday booked and I will be expending a lot of energy. At any rate, I think the activity will quell my frustration for a while. Eight days after our return I have my second fill already booked. I can't wait. I want something to happen - I want to eat something and then feel full. I want to stop feeling hungry - which I have been increasingly over the past couple of weeks (ironically, since I had my first fill). I'll keep you posted as always.
Changing scales
My bathroom scales have been acting up a lot lately. I know that if you weigh yourself daily as I do, you're bound to see quite a bit of 'up and down' from one day to the next. But these scales have been bouncing around more than 6-8 pounds in a day! I also weighed seven pounds less on one day and then it shot back up by the same amount the day after. They are very old......... so, I took the plunge and bought some new scales. I've been weighing myself on both of them for the past few days to see how they compare:
Well, basically, the new scales agree with those at the hospital and have me at seven or eight pounds heavier than the old scales - consistently. This means three things:
1. The scales at the hospital apear to have been correct all along. I assumed that they always weighed me heavier because I was wearing clothes and weighing myself later in the day after I had eaten etc.
2. My starting weight was probably 20 stone instead of 19 and-a-half...... I will never know this for certain but it seems very likely.
3. I will have an additional 7 pounds to lose to reach my ultimate target (I'm not too worried about this at the moment because my target weight is still a long way away!).
For the moment, I am going to continue to weigh myself with both sets of scales until I am absolutely certain that the new scales are correct. However, after that, I intend changing my weight loss ticker, weight loss records and graphs to fit with the new scales.
Well, basically, the new scales agree with those at the hospital and have me at seven or eight pounds heavier than the old scales - consistently. This means three things:
1. The scales at the hospital apear to have been correct all along. I assumed that they always weighed me heavier because I was wearing clothes and weighing myself later in the day after I had eaten etc.
2. My starting weight was probably 20 stone instead of 19 and-a-half...... I will never know this for certain but it seems very likely.
3. I will have an additional 7 pounds to lose to reach my ultimate target (I'm not too worried about this at the moment because my target weight is still a long way away!).
For the moment, I am going to continue to weigh myself with both sets of scales until I am absolutely certain that the new scales are correct. However, after that, I intend changing my weight loss ticker, weight loss records and graphs to fit with the new scales.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Supersize vs Superskinny
A few days ago I watched a programme on TV (Channel 4) called Supersize versus Superskinny. I've heard of it before but never watched it. The programme is based on the premise that if you get a really thin person together with an obese person, they each have lessons to pass onto the other to help with their weight loss or gain. They also get the two unfortunates to swap diets for seven days........! In this episode they had two nurses; Philippa weighed in at about 26 stone and Gillian at just six stone eight pounds! Gillian had a completely hollow area where her stomach should have been. Although the progame focussed on a serious subject, some of it was quite funny - like the look of horror on the Gillian's face when she realised how much food she was going to have to eat for the next week! Then there was Philippa's face when she discovered that for breakfast and lunch she would be 'eating'...... Diet Coke - only!
However, one of the things that struck me was the shock tactics employed to persuade Philippa that she needed to lose weight. They took her to see another even more obese lady, Lisa, who weighed about 35 stones and couldn't even walk. Lisa was about to undergo gastric surgery (described in the programe as "life-threatening weight-loss surgery") and this fact was the 'shock tactic'! The interviewer explained to Philippa that Lisa would never again, in her life, be able to eat large portions; that she would never again, in her life, be able to have a drink with her food......; and the implication was that she was having to take this amazingly drastic action to resolve her weight problem.
I suppose the other thing that struck me was that the programme focussed on a lady (Gillian) who was significantly underweight, but not anorexic, and highlighted the health problems that underweight people can face - the emphasis is usually on obese people. They did a bone density test on Gillian and found that her hips had a bone density equivalent to a 60-year old woman (Gillian is 25). This really shocked her and I think was the catalyst that made her tackle her weight problem more seriously than she had previously.
I must confess that when I first started to investigate the possibility of gastric surgery for myself, I thought of it as being a somewhat drastic solution. However, I very quickly adjusted to the whole idea of surgery and no longer think of it as drastic or even particularly unusual anymore! It just amused me that of all the things the programme could have done to frighten the nurse into dieting (they could have focussed much more on future health scenarios, for instance), they used the apparent 'threat' of gastric surgery!!
To encourage us all, at the end of the programme they showed what had happened to Gillian and Philippa in the two months since filming. Gillian had gained about 1 stone and a few pounds and now sits just inside the 'normal' weight category. Through this, and doing lots of weight-bearing exercise, her bone density has also dramaticaly improved. Philippa also lost three stones in weight and was continuing with her diet.....
However, one of the things that struck me was the shock tactics employed to persuade Philippa that she needed to lose weight. They took her to see another even more obese lady, Lisa, who weighed about 35 stones and couldn't even walk. Lisa was about to undergo gastric surgery (described in the programe as "life-threatening weight-loss surgery") and this fact was the 'shock tactic'! The interviewer explained to Philippa that Lisa would never again, in her life, be able to eat large portions; that she would never again, in her life, be able to have a drink with her food......; and the implication was that she was having to take this amazingly drastic action to resolve her weight problem.
I suppose the other thing that struck me was that the programme focussed on a lady (Gillian) who was significantly underweight, but not anorexic, and highlighted the health problems that underweight people can face - the emphasis is usually on obese people. They did a bone density test on Gillian and found that her hips had a bone density equivalent to a 60-year old woman (Gillian is 25). This really shocked her and I think was the catalyst that made her tackle her weight problem more seriously than she had previously.
I must confess that when I first started to investigate the possibility of gastric surgery for myself, I thought of it as being a somewhat drastic solution. However, I very quickly adjusted to the whole idea of surgery and no longer think of it as drastic or even particularly unusual anymore! It just amused me that of all the things the programme could have done to frighten the nurse into dieting (they could have focussed much more on future health scenarios, for instance), they used the apparent 'threat' of gastric surgery!!
To encourage us all, at the end of the programme they showed what had happened to Gillian and Philippa in the two months since filming. Gillian had gained about 1 stone and a few pounds and now sits just inside the 'normal' weight category. Through this, and doing lots of weight-bearing exercise, her bone density has also dramaticaly improved. Philippa also lost three stones in weight and was continuing with her diet.....
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Marks and Sparks food
I'm staying with my family in London over this weekend, which partly explains the absence of a post yesterday. I had a long drive down from Friday evening and decided to drop in on one of Marks and Spencer's 'Simply Food' outlets at a motorway service station. They really are the 'bees knees' for bandits trying to eat good quality, low fat, nutritious food (and no, I don't work for them and I'm not on commission!). I only intended spending a quick couple of minutes in there to buy something that I could eat on the journey, but ended up taking about 20 minutes browsing around shelves of wonderful food! In the end I bought four items: a small pot of soya beans with rocket, pine nuts and chilli dressing (210 calories); a pot of prawns with low fat mayonnaise and salad (165 calories); a larger pot of sun-dried tomatoes with orzo pasta and spinach (350 calories) and a pot of mixed fresh fruit containing slices of pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, mango and kiwi fruit (125 calories). I ate the prawn salad and fruit for my evening meal (total 290 calories) last night. Today, I ate the bean and chilli salad for lunch. This evening I mixed the tomato and pasta salad with some steamed salmon and chopped courgettes, heated it up, and ate half of it (total 320 calories) - I'm having the other half for lunch tomorrow (can't wait). I have to say, all of the food I purchased at M+S has been absolutely gorgeous.
Not only does the food taste great, but all of the pots that I bought were really well balanced - nutritionally-speaking. They each had some protein, carbohydrates and various vegetables. M+S also provide lots of information on the packaging setting out exactly what's in the food, calories, fats, carbs etc. The food is also set out really nicely so that it actually looks good too. I'm raving about this food because it really was soooo nice, but also because I have competely failed to find any ready-made, low calorie, nutritious food anywhere else?! Everywhere else I have looked I am invariably offered sandwiches or wraps laden with mayonnaise and huge chunks of cheese, or high fat options such as houmous or fried foods - and there's often no calorie information available. When you start to look, it is actually quite difficult to find ideal bandit food that is ready to eat on-the-go - while travelling, for example.
I suppose the obvious answer is for me to prepare my own food. However, before I embarked on my new 'think-thin' lifestyle, I believed that not having to always prepare my own food was somehow a reward for working hard. The logic is, you work hard to earn some money, and then part of the reward for your efforts is to be able, sometimes, to relax and enjoy food prepared by someone else. In the past, this 'food prepared by someone else' was invariably bad food - the kind of sandwiches and fatty foods I referred to above. So, in this new lifestyle, I am determined to carry this notion forward - at least some of the time. If this means planning my days around proximity to an M+S store, then so be it!!
Not only does the food taste great, but all of the pots that I bought were really well balanced - nutritionally-speaking. They each had some protein, carbohydrates and various vegetables. M+S also provide lots of information on the packaging setting out exactly what's in the food, calories, fats, carbs etc. The food is also set out really nicely so that it actually looks good too. I'm raving about this food because it really was soooo nice, but also because I have competely failed to find any ready-made, low calorie, nutritious food anywhere else?! Everywhere else I have looked I am invariably offered sandwiches or wraps laden with mayonnaise and huge chunks of cheese, or high fat options such as houmous or fried foods - and there's often no calorie information available. When you start to look, it is actually quite difficult to find ideal bandit food that is ready to eat on-the-go - while travelling, for example.
I suppose the obvious answer is for me to prepare my own food. However, before I embarked on my new 'think-thin' lifestyle, I believed that not having to always prepare my own food was somehow a reward for working hard. The logic is, you work hard to earn some money, and then part of the reward for your efforts is to be able, sometimes, to relax and enjoy food prepared by someone else. In the past, this 'food prepared by someone else' was invariably bad food - the kind of sandwiches and fatty foods I referred to above. So, in this new lifestyle, I am determined to carry this notion forward - at least some of the time. If this means planning my days around proximity to an M+S store, then so be it!!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Searching for that full feeling
Well, I should have been starting on mushy foods today, after my first fill on Monday. However, the mush has been going down so easily that I decided to go back onto solids a couple of days early. I ate some al dente pasta this evening with lightly boiled sprouts and green beans, plus some prawns and mushrooms. I deliberately cooked the vegetables so they were quite hard. I chewed everything well and ate slowly - as per usual. I had absolutely no problem eating it all up. I was full-ish by the time I had finished - but again, no more than usual. in fact, about 45 minutes later, I ate some strawberries with a low fat yoghurt.
So, I think all this shows that the fill I had (5ml in a 10ml band) has not given me much restriction - or at least, not enough to change the good eating habits I have got into over the last 10 weeks. I will be going on a skiing holiday the week after next, but as soon as I return, I will be booking my next fill. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I actually want to be eating significantly less than I am at present - I am still only consuming about 850-950 calories per day. Any less than this would be too much restriction, I believe. However, what I do want is to get that really full feeling when I have eaten my side plate of food. At the moment, I feel fairly full, but not really full! Also, at the moment, I'm feeling quite good and positive about myself - that means I have more strength and willpower to resist eating too much if I only feel slightly full. However, if I get to a point in the future (perhaps brought on by work stress or something), where I don't feel as strong, my good eating habits are likely to go out of the window.
It is for this reason that I am looking for more restriction - not to reduce what I am currently eating - but to make me feel more full on current portions so that the band is doing the work instead of me.
So, I think all this shows that the fill I had (5ml in a 10ml band) has not given me much restriction - or at least, not enough to change the good eating habits I have got into over the last 10 weeks. I will be going on a skiing holiday the week after next, but as soon as I return, I will be booking my next fill. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I actually want to be eating significantly less than I am at present - I am still only consuming about 850-950 calories per day. Any less than this would be too much restriction, I believe. However, what I do want is to get that really full feeling when I have eaten my side plate of food. At the moment, I feel fairly full, but not really full! Also, at the moment, I'm feeling quite good and positive about myself - that means I have more strength and willpower to resist eating too much if I only feel slightly full. However, if I get to a point in the future (perhaps brought on by work stress or something), where I don't feel as strong, my good eating habits are likely to go out of the window.
It is for this reason that I am looking for more restriction - not to reduce what I am currently eating - but to make me feel more full on current portions so that the band is doing the work instead of me.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Restriction or not? - that is the question
I've been eating mush again today. I ate porridge for breakfast and some vegetarian cottage pie for lunch. For evening meal I prepared a boil-in-the-bag cod in butter sauce, pre-prepared mashed potato and mashed butternut squash. I couldn't get it all on my 7" side plate - mainly because the sauce from the cod and the juice from the butternut squash were in danger of running off the edge of the plate. So, I split it in half and put half on each of two plates. Of course, I had to put up with the ribbing from my other half about having TWO meals...! Anyway, I ate the first half and enjoyed it. After 'resting' for a few minutes I decided that actually, I was quite full without the second half - so I'm saving that for tomorrow night!
I am really not sure if I'm experiencing any restriction or not. I can get food down quite easily and at a similar pace to that before I had my first fill (two days ago). However, I do sometimes feel a sense of fullness in the back of my throat when I drink something too quickly. It's not painful or anything - just a feeling of something being there - perhaps the liquid cannot get through my band as quickly as I'm pouring it into my mouth and so it 'backs up' along my oesophagus? As far as eating mush is concerned, I really don't know if there is any restriction. I've been eating small mouthfuls, eating slowly and chewing everything for so long now that it has become habit. Therefore, it's hard too tell if anything 'different' is happening.
I guess I won't really know if I have restriction until I start eating solid foods - I'm going to start doing that on Friday (two days time). I really hope there is some restriction. However, one lady at the recent support group meeting asked me how I will know i have restriction if I am losing weight and eating small portions anyway? Mmm, I don't know the answer to that one. Perhaps I will have to deliberately eat more for a short time in order to 'test' the band and the restriction it is, or isn't, giving me.
I am really not sure if I'm experiencing any restriction or not. I can get food down quite easily and at a similar pace to that before I had my first fill (two days ago). However, I do sometimes feel a sense of fullness in the back of my throat when I drink something too quickly. It's not painful or anything - just a feeling of something being there - perhaps the liquid cannot get through my band as quickly as I'm pouring it into my mouth and so it 'backs up' along my oesophagus? As far as eating mush is concerned, I really don't know if there is any restriction. I've been eating small mouthfuls, eating slowly and chewing everything for so long now that it has become habit. Therefore, it's hard too tell if anything 'different' is happening.
I guess I won't really know if I have restriction until I start eating solid foods - I'm going to start doing that on Friday (two days time). I really hope there is some restriction. However, one lady at the recent support group meeting asked me how I will know i have restriction if I am losing weight and eating small portions anyway? Mmm, I don't know the answer to that one. Perhaps I will have to deliberately eat more for a short time in order to 'test' the band and the restriction it is, or isn't, giving me.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Breaking the rules
Today is my second day after my first fill. I am supposed to be on fluids for three days and then pureed foods for three days before switching back to solids. Yesterday I had lots of drinks and some soup - one my soups was quite thick. I also had a smooth yoghurt. All of this went down without any problem. Up until this evening I have followed that pattern today. But when I got home from work I decided to break the rules!!!! When I had to have fluids following surgery, it was important to stick to the rules because it was to allow my stomach time to heal. However, oin this occasion, if I understand it correctly, the only reason to have fluids and mush for three days each is to make sure you can get them down without any problems. I think I've already proven that so decided to eat some mush this evening.
I ate vegetarian cottage pie with mashed cauliflower and aubergine. I ate this very slowly, in two separate halves actually. It all went down without any problem. I was full by the time I'd finished but no more so than usual. I also ate a yoghurt. I'm now waiting a while before having a drink (while watching "Supersize versus Superskinny" on the TV!). So, as far as mush is concerned, everything is as normal. I won't really know if I have any useful restriction until I start eating solid foods, and I'm not going to do this until Saturday - four more days away.
I must confess it was all slightly scary eating mush for the first time since my fill. I was convinced that any moment I was going to get the 'iron fist' - this is the nickname given by bandits to the hard pain felt in the upper breastbone after eating too much, too quickly, or not chewing. Apparently the 'iron fist' can be really nasty - and since I am allergic to pain (!) I am going to do everything I can to avoid it - ever! The other thing I was a little nervous about was PBing. This is the nickname given to 'productive burping' - where your body involuntarily brings up a little food. It is a little like a small vomit (apparently) and is also caused when your band cannot cope with some food you've given it - because you've eaten too fast or too much. Anyway, despite the nerves, nothing happened - everything went down, nothing came back up and there was no pain!
I ate vegetarian cottage pie with mashed cauliflower and aubergine. I ate this very slowly, in two separate halves actually. It all went down without any problem. I was full by the time I'd finished but no more so than usual. I also ate a yoghurt. I'm now waiting a while before having a drink (while watching "Supersize versus Superskinny" on the TV!). So, as far as mush is concerned, everything is as normal. I won't really know if I have any useful restriction until I start eating solid foods, and I'm not going to do this until Saturday - four more days away.
I must confess it was all slightly scary eating mush for the first time since my fill. I was convinced that any moment I was going to get the 'iron fist' - this is the nickname given by bandits to the hard pain felt in the upper breastbone after eating too much, too quickly, or not chewing. Apparently the 'iron fist' can be really nasty - and since I am allergic to pain (!) I am going to do everything I can to avoid it - ever! The other thing I was a little nervous about was PBing. This is the nickname given to 'productive burping' - where your body involuntarily brings up a little food. It is a little like a small vomit (apparently) and is also caused when your band cannot cope with some food you've given it - because you've eaten too fast or too much. Anyway, despite the nerves, nothing happened - everything went down, nothing came back up and there was no pain!
Monday, January 19, 2009
My first fill
I had my first fill today and now feel like a proper bandit! It went really well, didn't hurt a bit and was all over in 10 minutes! I arrived and only waited 10 minutes in the waiting room before being called through. First I was weighed, and Dr Ashton was very encouraging about my weight loss to date. He said that studies show weight loss during the first eight weeks after surgery is an excellent indicator of total long term weight loss. If this is true for me, I am looking forward to long term success - which is really good news.
In the x-ray suite I had to lie down on a horizontal bed with my feet resting on a metal base plate at the bottom. Then the bed was tilted upwards so that it was almost vertical. To my right was a 'TV' screen on which I could see my insides via the x-ray. I could clearly see the outline of my stomach, the band and the tube going from the port to the band. While in this position, Dr Ashton asked me if there had been any foods I had struggled to eat. As he asked I thought that the question seemed a bit out of the blue and wondered if he was using it as a distraction technique. Just as I started to answer him he stuck the needle in my port! It honestly did not hurt at all. In fact it was considerably less painful (if 'pain' really is the right word) than getting a blood test done. Dr Ashton then removed 1.5ml from my band. He said that during the initial surgery they usually ensure there is no fill or very little left in the band, but sometimes a little solution stays behind - 1.5ml in my case.
I then had to take a mouthful of barium which is a very thick (yoghurt consistency), white, chalky mixture (pretty tasteless). When he said 'go' I had to swallow it, and as I did so, I could see on the screen a black liquid slowly coming down my oesophagus. As it got close to the band it just went straight through and spread out like the branches of a tree on the other side (into my 'main' stomach). This was a good indication that there was now no restriction from my band at all. I then had 5ml put into the band and went through the barium swallowing procedure again. This time, I could clearly see on the screen that the liquid was slowing down as it approached the band. I could see a small pouch expand as the liquid slowly passed through into my main stomach. Dr Ashton tried adding a further 1ml, bringing the total to 6ml. This time, the liquid did not pass through the band but actually started going back up the oesophagus. It tried to go down and through the band a second time, then went up again (although I could see this, I couldn't feel it coming up). This was an indication that the band was too tight. With that extra 1ml then removed, Dr Ashton felt that I had a really good amount of restriction without the band being too tight.
That was really the end of that. I did up my buttons and put on my coat while the doctor was filling in my record card. I was asked to sit in the waiting room and drink a cup of water. If that went down OK I could go home. It did, so I went. So, I have 5ml fill in a 10ml band.
I now have to drink only fluids for three days, then eat mush for three days, and then go back onto solids. I have to wait for a minimum of 2 weeks until I can have another fill - if I think that I need one. I've been drinking fine since the fill and have had two lots of smooth soup without any problem.
Overall, it was a very interesting and reassuring experience. I have read some horror stories on other forums and had visions of the doctor taking ages to find the port and prodding me around painfully until he found it, or the port perhaps lying on its side or something. But no, he just put his hand lightly on my tummy and said 'a little scratch', and in it went, very easily like a hot needle into butter. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed now that once I start on solid foods again in six days time, I will start to feel some restriction. This might enable me to ease up a little on the food weighing and calorie counting which is a bit of a pain!
In the x-ray suite I had to lie down on a horizontal bed with my feet resting on a metal base plate at the bottom. Then the bed was tilted upwards so that it was almost vertical. To my right was a 'TV' screen on which I could see my insides via the x-ray. I could clearly see the outline of my stomach, the band and the tube going from the port to the band. While in this position, Dr Ashton asked me if there had been any foods I had struggled to eat. As he asked I thought that the question seemed a bit out of the blue and wondered if he was using it as a distraction technique. Just as I started to answer him he stuck the needle in my port! It honestly did not hurt at all. In fact it was considerably less painful (if 'pain' really is the right word) than getting a blood test done. Dr Ashton then removed 1.5ml from my band. He said that during the initial surgery they usually ensure there is no fill or very little left in the band, but sometimes a little solution stays behind - 1.5ml in my case.
I then had to take a mouthful of barium which is a very thick (yoghurt consistency), white, chalky mixture (pretty tasteless). When he said 'go' I had to swallow it, and as I did so, I could see on the screen a black liquid slowly coming down my oesophagus. As it got close to the band it just went straight through and spread out like the branches of a tree on the other side (into my 'main' stomach). This was a good indication that there was now no restriction from my band at all. I then had 5ml put into the band and went through the barium swallowing procedure again. This time, I could clearly see on the screen that the liquid was slowing down as it approached the band. I could see a small pouch expand as the liquid slowly passed through into my main stomach. Dr Ashton tried adding a further 1ml, bringing the total to 6ml. This time, the liquid did not pass through the band but actually started going back up the oesophagus. It tried to go down and through the band a second time, then went up again (although I could see this, I couldn't feel it coming up). This was an indication that the band was too tight. With that extra 1ml then removed, Dr Ashton felt that I had a really good amount of restriction without the band being too tight.
That was really the end of that. I did up my buttons and put on my coat while the doctor was filling in my record card. I was asked to sit in the waiting room and drink a cup of water. If that went down OK I could go home. It did, so I went. So, I have 5ml fill in a 10ml band.
I now have to drink only fluids for three days, then eat mush for three days, and then go back onto solids. I have to wait for a minimum of 2 weeks until I can have another fill - if I think that I need one. I've been drinking fine since the fill and have had two lots of smooth soup without any problem.
Overall, it was a very interesting and reassuring experience. I have read some horror stories on other forums and had visions of the doctor taking ages to find the port and prodding me around painfully until he found it, or the port perhaps lying on its side or something. But no, he just put his hand lightly on my tummy and said 'a little scratch', and in it went, very easily like a hot needle into butter. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed now that once I start on solid foods again in six days time, I will start to feel some restriction. This might enable me to ease up a little on the food weighing and calorie counting which is a bit of a pain!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Obesity: the last socially acceptable prejudice?
Dr David Ashton, director of Healthier Weight, has had an article published in The Guardian online blog (Joe Public Blog) entitled "The Great Obesity Myth" (http://tiny.cc/LnhKr). In it, he argues that contrary to popular belief, people who are obese are not obese because they are suffering from some form of psychological disorder, but in part, because of a genetic predisposition to obesity. In part, the article is responding to common and increasing practice in the USA and parts of Europe that requires potential candidates for gastric surgery to undertake pre-surgery psychological testing to assess their suitability. The article is interesting and worth a read, but perhaps more interesting is the wide range of comments (more than 100) provoked by its content. Some of the comments are quite outrageous and provide evidence in support of Dr Ashton's suggestion that obesity is perhaps the last socially acceptable form of prejudice. I couldn't resist posting my own comment - it turned out to be the very last one before the article was closed to further comments. Here's what I wrote:
"Somebody above wanted evidence - here is some. I don't have a psychological 'disorder' but have suffered from depression, anxiety and low self esteem for years. Having recently undergone gastric band surgery I am steadily losing loads of weight. Now, my 'mood' has changed dramatically. I am already much more self-confident, I'm no longer depressed, and in fact, I feel absolutely fantastic! Obesity has always been the result of my psychological state, not the cause. Well done Dr Ashton for saying the unsayable. Obesity as the last socially acceptable prejudice? Yes it is, it shouldn't be, and given a few more people willing to think seriously about this issue instead of jumping on 'let's bash the fatties' bandwagon, it won't be for much longer."
"Somebody above wanted evidence - here is some. I don't have a psychological 'disorder' but have suffered from depression, anxiety and low self esteem for years. Having recently undergone gastric band surgery I am steadily losing loads of weight. Now, my 'mood' has changed dramatically. I am already much more self-confident, I'm no longer depressed, and in fact, I feel absolutely fantastic! Obesity has always been the result of my psychological state, not the cause. Well done Dr Ashton for saying the unsayable. Obesity as the last socially acceptable prejudice? Yes it is, it shouldn't be, and given a few more people willing to think seriously about this issue instead of jumping on 'let's bash the fatties' bandwagon, it won't be for much longer."
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Lunch ideas
I'm getting bored with my lunch! As you may have seen from the seven days that I posted my daily menus, most days I take to work a couple of crispbreads with cottage cheese (or tuna - or both) and some side salad. It's lovely and healthy and all that, but I'm just getting a bit bored with eating the same thing day in and day out. I know there are probably loads of other things I could eat but I just don't have much imagination! I'm also a fish-eating veggie which narrows down the options a bit. I have been trying to get ideas for lunch from other bandits on the UKGastricBand forum and also from the Healthier Weight support group (this morning). Here are a few ideas I've picked up so far:
- Pasta with tuna, onion, yellow pepper and low fat Hellman's mayonnaise (personally, I would use Philadelphia Light instead of mayonnaise).
- Rice with prawns and mixed vegetables (I like this one - I can just imagine it with some chilli...!).
- Soup with chunky vegetables (I'm going to make this soon - I'll make some homemade 'smooth' soup first, then steam a mixture of vegetables so they are quite chunky and crisp, and then add them to the soup base).
- Smaller portions of 'normal' foods (eg cheese salad sandwich). I'm not sure about this one at my stage (ie with no restriction) - I think it'd only take one cheese sandwich for me to want to eat two or three....
- Bolognaise (spaghetti or lasagne), chilli or curry made up with quorn or veggie mince.
- Cauliflower or macaroni cheese (personally I'm trying to stay away from cheese at the moment because it makes me want to eat other fatty foods).
- Mash snackpots (available from Asda or Sainsbury's). I haven't seen these, but I have been tempted by some lovely couscous lunch pots they have in Tesco.
- Houmous with celery sticks. Mmmm, houmous is very high in calories and fat (even when it is a low fat variety) - and I hate celery (probably the only vegetable I don't like).
- Spinach, buffalo mozzarella and fresh beef tomato. Sounds lovely - I'll look into the calorie content of mozzarella.....
- Probiotic yoghurt with a few spoonfuls of mixed seeds and nuts (really filling). This one and the next one are both sweet and would make excellent 'desserts', but personally I prefer something savoury for lunch.
- Chopped fruit to eat with lunch or as snacks during the day.
- Homemade soup (smooth soup would be a slider food, but this would work well with chunky vegetables in it - see above).
- Lentil dahl. The Weight To Go spicy vegetable dahl is delicious.
- Chicken thigh (skin removed) with low fat sour cream and some cherry tomatoes. I like the sound of this one, without the chicken and sour cream.......!!! Ha ha.
Friday, January 16, 2009
My changing wardrobe
I've started building up a pile of clothes that no longer fit because they're too big. The pile isn't very high at the moment but gradually being added to. The first on the heap was a pair of men's trousers with elasticated waist that now seem ridiculously large and tent-like! I had to get my husband (who does all the sewing in our house) to put some stitches into another pair of trousers that I like so they would 'last' longer before needing to be added to the heap. I've also started wearing a few pairs of trousers that had previously eluded my body. One pair I bought about three or fours years ago and never actually wore them because I put on weight immediately afterwards! I wore these for the first time just before Christmas when they were still a little 'snug'. Now I'm wearing them as much as I can because they are already starting to get a little loose. I will get hubby to sew them a little tighter so I can get some more wear out of them before they too, are destined for the 'heap'.
Most of the changes I have seen so far in my clothes-wearing has been in relation to trousers. In recent years I have had to resort to buying men's trousers (how come men's clothes get made so much bigger than women's - and get sold in 'normal' shops rather than forcing men to go to specialist 'overweight persons' shops like Evans?). Men's trousers are OK but they are always floppy at the back of the waist - because they are not designed to fit people with hips! Perhaps this is why my trousers are getting added to the heap most quickly - because many of them never fit me that well in the first place?! My pyjama bottoms and jogging bottoms appear to have become longer in the leg. I don't think I've got taller (!), I guess it's just that there is a smaller volume of fat filling the buttock area and upper legs and thighs!
So far, I've not assigned any tops to the heap. However, I have noticed some of my T-shirts starting to 'hang' on me a bit, rather like short dresses! The sweatshirt I am wearing right now doesn't so much 'fit' any more as hang off my shoulders! Although I haven't put any tops on the heap yet, I have found one or two items that now fit that didn't before, including a really nice blue jumper that somebody bought me years ago and I've never previously been able to wear.
But, the one thing I really want to fit, my skiing salopettes, still don't. Well, I can get them on, zip and button them up, but not comfortably enough that I could fit fleece leggings on underneath and move about sufficiently to be able to actually ski! Still, I have another two weeks before going so hopefully another 6-7 pounds lost might make all the difference........
Most of the changes I have seen so far in my clothes-wearing has been in relation to trousers. In recent years I have had to resort to buying men's trousers (how come men's clothes get made so much bigger than women's - and get sold in 'normal' shops rather than forcing men to go to specialist 'overweight persons' shops like Evans?). Men's trousers are OK but they are always floppy at the back of the waist - because they are not designed to fit people with hips! Perhaps this is why my trousers are getting added to the heap most quickly - because many of them never fit me that well in the first place?! My pyjama bottoms and jogging bottoms appear to have become longer in the leg. I don't think I've got taller (!), I guess it's just that there is a smaller volume of fat filling the buttock area and upper legs and thighs!
So far, I've not assigned any tops to the heap. However, I have noticed some of my T-shirts starting to 'hang' on me a bit, rather like short dresses! The sweatshirt I am wearing right now doesn't so much 'fit' any more as hang off my shoulders! Although I haven't put any tops on the heap yet, I have found one or two items that now fit that didn't before, including a really nice blue jumper that somebody bought me years ago and I've never previously been able to wear.
But, the one thing I really want to fit, my skiing salopettes, still don't. Well, I can get them on, zip and button them up, but not comfortably enough that I could fit fleece leggings on underneath and move about sufficiently to be able to actually ski! Still, I have another two weeks before going so hopefully another 6-7 pounds lost might make all the difference........
Thursday, January 15, 2009
So why AM I fat?
Since I am embarking on a new chapter in my life, one where I'm NOT going to be fat, I've been giving some thought as to why I gained so much weight in the first place. If I can work it out, I have some chance of being able to avoid getting there again in the future.
I was never overweight as a child - only very slightly plump. I did loads of sports, dancing and swimming right through till I left home to study aged 19. At this time I weighed about 11 stone. I'm 5' 8" and have a large frame so 11 stone is well within a 'normal' weight for me. While I studied I played volleyball, basketball and joined a caving club - so kept pretty active. It wasn't until I went on to do a Master's degree that I stopped exercising. For two years I just worked, worked and worked. I gained more weight and reached 13 stone for the first time. However, I soon lost this once I got my first proper job because I took up running as a hobby! I got down to 10 stone and 4 pounds without dieting because I was burning so much energy. Success continued until I badly injured my ankle and had to give up running. I then started to gain weight.
Over the next eight years I slowly but steadily gained weight and reached 17 stone by the age of 34. During this period I was moderately active. I went skiing once a year and occasionally went hill walking. I also was involved in Scuba diving (though this doesn't burn much energy) and swum once a week. However, I also worked long hours and got into bad habits of eating the wrong things at the wrong times. Horrified at my new weight high of 17 stone, I went on a low fat diet and got down to 13 stone again. However, nothing in my lifestyle had changed so I put it all back on again over a period of about 18 months.
In 2001 I started a new job - the one I have now. I weighed 17 stone when I started that job but again began a gradual but steady rise to 19 and a half stone over the next two or three years - the most I have ever weighed. Over the last few years I have yo-yoed up and down between 17 stone and 19 and a half stone several times.
Analysing that potted history it is clear to me that there is a common denominator in all of my periods of weight gain, and it's work. Basically, the reason I am fat is because I have put WORK far too high on my priority list. In fact for much of my life it has been No. 1 in my life. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my job. It has it's bad points and stressful times but on the whole, I wouldn't want to do anything else and I am very lucky to have the job I have. However, I need to learn a stark lesson: We work to live, we don't live to work. If I continue to live to work, work will kill me. Simple as that.
In the future (I am practising hard at this already), I am going to make my LIFE No. 1. That means my faith, my husband, my family, my health, my cats (!) and my home. Then, somewhere down the list, there will be my job. In the past, if I have had several back-to-back meetings scheduled from 10am till 3pm, I've attended them all, and survived through them eating crisps and chocolate for 'lunch'. If I have had a whole series of impossible deadlines, I've met them all, left for work at 6am, arrived home at 8pm, grabbed rubbish food along the way and picked up a take-away on the way home. If my boss has been looking for a volunteer, I've always put my hand up and said 'yes'. But the new me is learning to say 'no'. I'm learning to do the things I am able to do to the best of my ability, and put the rest on hold. The new me will opt out of a meeting if it means working through lunch. I'm learning that I don't get any extra respect by working myself to the bone and disrespecting my body. I'm learning that if 'x' or 'y' doesn't get done, nobody will die, but if I don't look after my health, I just might.
I was never overweight as a child - only very slightly plump. I did loads of sports, dancing and swimming right through till I left home to study aged 19. At this time I weighed about 11 stone. I'm 5' 8" and have a large frame so 11 stone is well within a 'normal' weight for me. While I studied I played volleyball, basketball and joined a caving club - so kept pretty active. It wasn't until I went on to do a Master's degree that I stopped exercising. For two years I just worked, worked and worked. I gained more weight and reached 13 stone for the first time. However, I soon lost this once I got my first proper job because I took up running as a hobby! I got down to 10 stone and 4 pounds without dieting because I was burning so much energy. Success continued until I badly injured my ankle and had to give up running. I then started to gain weight.
Over the next eight years I slowly but steadily gained weight and reached 17 stone by the age of 34. During this period I was moderately active. I went skiing once a year and occasionally went hill walking. I also was involved in Scuba diving (though this doesn't burn much energy) and swum once a week. However, I also worked long hours and got into bad habits of eating the wrong things at the wrong times. Horrified at my new weight high of 17 stone, I went on a low fat diet and got down to 13 stone again. However, nothing in my lifestyle had changed so I put it all back on again over a period of about 18 months.
In 2001 I started a new job - the one I have now. I weighed 17 stone when I started that job but again began a gradual but steady rise to 19 and a half stone over the next two or three years - the most I have ever weighed. Over the last few years I have yo-yoed up and down between 17 stone and 19 and a half stone several times.
Analysing that potted history it is clear to me that there is a common denominator in all of my periods of weight gain, and it's work. Basically, the reason I am fat is because I have put WORK far too high on my priority list. In fact for much of my life it has been No. 1 in my life. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my job. It has it's bad points and stressful times but on the whole, I wouldn't want to do anything else and I am very lucky to have the job I have. However, I need to learn a stark lesson: We work to live, we don't live to work. If I continue to live to work, work will kill me. Simple as that.
In the future (I am practising hard at this already), I am going to make my LIFE No. 1. That means my faith, my husband, my family, my health, my cats (!) and my home. Then, somewhere down the list, there will be my job. In the past, if I have had several back-to-back meetings scheduled from 10am till 3pm, I've attended them all, and survived through them eating crisps and chocolate for 'lunch'. If I have had a whole series of impossible deadlines, I've met them all, left for work at 6am, arrived home at 8pm, grabbed rubbish food along the way and picked up a take-away on the way home. If my boss has been looking for a volunteer, I've always put my hand up and said 'yes'. But the new me is learning to say 'no'. I'm learning to do the things I am able to do to the best of my ability, and put the rest on hold. The new me will opt out of a meeting if it means working through lunch. I'm learning that I don't get any extra respect by working myself to the bone and disrespecting my body. I'm learning that if 'x' or 'y' doesn't get done, nobody will die, but if I don't look after my health, I just might.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Panic panic......
I had a real panic moment yesterday and earlier today. I'm doing really well sticking to my diet, getting exercise and losing weight. So, what have I got to panic about, I hear you ask? Well, I'm stalling as I think of a way to say this, because I know it sounds so stupid.......... I've been panicking about the fact that it might all go pear-shaped, that I might fail. I suppose it's because I am getting close to the most amount of weight (four stones) I have ever lost, and once I get beyond that I'm in a place I've never been before. On so many occasions in the past I have done well, stuck to a diet, lost weight, done loads of exercise....... and then something has gone wrong and I've put it all back on again (and more). I regard this, the band, as my last chance saloon to make a massive change in my body and my life forever. That means there's a lot more riding on it, in a way, than there ever has before. I cannot fail. This cannot fail.
I suppose I have a fear that while I am jogging along really nicely now, I am somehow lulled into a false sense of security, because it can so easily go very wrong, very quickly. I keep on reminding my husband also not to be lulled into a false sense of security, but to keep asking me how it's going, look at what I'm eating, encourage me to go out walking and generally keep a close eye on me.
I don't think that watching that TV programme last night helped either (Extreme Slimmers - see yesterday's post) - it re-ignited a whole load of fears about what my body will look like when I've lost a lot more weight.
Anyway, for now, until anything else changes, I am going to keep on going on in the best way that I can. I have a support group meeting on Saturday and my first fill on Monday which will both help to encourage and reassure me. I need to keep just putting one foot in front of the other, take one day at a time - and all the other cliches! By taking one day at a time I will be taking my eyes off the future and taking a whole load of self-inflicted pressure off my shoulders.
I suppose I have a fear that while I am jogging along really nicely now, I am somehow lulled into a false sense of security, because it can so easily go very wrong, very quickly. I keep on reminding my husband also not to be lulled into a false sense of security, but to keep asking me how it's going, look at what I'm eating, encourage me to go out walking and generally keep a close eye on me.
I don't think that watching that TV programme last night helped either (Extreme Slimmers - see yesterday's post) - it re-ignited a whole load of fears about what my body will look like when I've lost a lot more weight.
Anyway, for now, until anything else changes, I am going to keep on going on in the best way that I can. I have a support group meeting on Saturday and my first fill on Monday which will both help to encourage and reassure me. I need to keep just putting one foot in front of the other, take one day at a time - and all the other cliches! By taking one day at a time I will be taking my eyes off the future and taking a whole load of self-inflicted pressure off my shoulders.
Solid foods: Day seven
Today's food and other stuff. I ate almost the same today as yesterday - except for using a tin of mushrooms in my lunch salad instead of yellow pepper which I ran out of! A bit strange but very tasty and hardly any calories!!
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (133) with extra dried berries (27) and soya milk (35).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (52) and tuna (32), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), tinned mushrooms (16), cucumber (6) and olives (31).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20), a soft mint (10), small banana (65)
Dinner: Baby new potatoes (99), prawns (50), mushrooms (6), red onion (6) and spinach (17), Philadelphia Light (20).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 843
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: One mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300), Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Walking achieved during the course of work. Total steps for the day = 4700
Energy balance
Calories in = 843
Calories out = 300*
NET calorie intake = 543
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (133) with extra dried berries (27) and soya milk (35).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (52) and tuna (32), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), tinned mushrooms (16), cucumber (6) and olives (31).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20), a soft mint (10), small banana (65)
Dinner: Baby new potatoes (99), prawns (50), mushrooms (6), red onion (6) and spinach (17), Philadelphia Light (20).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 843
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: One mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300), Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Walking achieved during the course of work. Total steps for the day = 4700
Energy balance
Calories in = 843
Calories out = 300*
NET calorie intake = 543
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Extreme slimming
Just finished watching a documentary on ITV called 'Extreme Slimming'. The programme focussed on several men and women who have lost HUGE amounts of weight. One man reached a whopping 60 stone before getting a gastric band and getting down to 14 stone. A lady who started off at 34 stone reached 23 stone after a gastric band and then decided to get a bypass too. There was also a lady who started off at 24 stone and reached about 9 before getting pregnant - something she wasn't able to do when she was obese.
The less obvious thing that all of these people had in common was the post-weight loss problems of dealing with excess skin. Being honest, some of the images shown on the TV were pretty horrific and I have nothing but sympathy for the people involved. So many of them were having loads of extra surgery to remove the excess skin, including 'Colin' who had at least three major operations. Now, although these people were particularly overweight and in many ways were not really expecting their bodies to be perfect after weight-loss, it's just such a pity that after the effort of losing all that weight and achieving their targets, they then had to go through so much more.
I must confess I have had concerns about whether I will be left with an 'abdominal apron' after weight loss. I don't expect perfection - I think I am a reasonably realistic person. However, I would feel it was a bit of a kick in the teeth if my tummy looked really awful after reaching my target. I REALLY do not want to have to go through more surgery. But I tell you this, if I end up with a horrible sagging stomach that is unsightly and hangs down - I will. I can also tell you this, I know my husband will love me whatever I look like - after all - he has stood by me for many years as an obese person. I think he would be against me having any further surgery. But I guess it will be my decision, and will depend on whether I am sufficiently happy with what I see in the mirror........
The less obvious thing that all of these people had in common was the post-weight loss problems of dealing with excess skin. Being honest, some of the images shown on the TV were pretty horrific and I have nothing but sympathy for the people involved. So many of them were having loads of extra surgery to remove the excess skin, including 'Colin' who had at least three major operations. Now, although these people were particularly overweight and in many ways were not really expecting their bodies to be perfect after weight-loss, it's just such a pity that after the effort of losing all that weight and achieving their targets, they then had to go through so much more.
I must confess I have had concerns about whether I will be left with an 'abdominal apron' after weight loss. I don't expect perfection - I think I am a reasonably realistic person. However, I would feel it was a bit of a kick in the teeth if my tummy looked really awful after reaching my target. I REALLY do not want to have to go through more surgery. But I tell you this, if I end up with a horrible sagging stomach that is unsightly and hangs down - I will. I can also tell you this, I know my husband will love me whatever I look like - after all - he has stood by me for many years as an obese person. I think he would be against me having any further surgery. But I guess it will be my decision, and will depend on whether I am sufficiently happy with what I see in the mirror........
Another boundary crossed
I weighed-in at 15 stone 12 pounds this morning - going below the 16 stone boundary for the first time in ten years (and even then it was only for a brief period of a few months). I was rather surprised because I was 16 stone 3 pounds yesterday (!), but absolutely delighted. I went to work with a spring in my step this morning (literally).
Solid foods: Day six
Today's food and other stuff.
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (123) with extra dried berries (30) and soya milk (30).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (52) and tuna (29), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), yellow pepper (14), cucumber (4) and olives (28).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20), 100ml flavoured water (2), a soft mint (10)
Dinner: 45g wholewheat rice (157), mashed tofu (101), red onion (18) and courgettes (31).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 873
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: One mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300), Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Walking achieved during the course of work. Total steps for the day = 6300
Energy balance
Calories in = 873
Calories out = 410*
NET calorie intake = 463
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (123) with extra dried berries (30) and soya milk (30).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (52) and tuna (29), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), yellow pepper (14), cucumber (4) and olives (28).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20), 100ml flavoured water (2), a soft mint (10)
Dinner: 45g wholewheat rice (157), mashed tofu (101), red onion (18) and courgettes (31).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 873
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: One mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300), Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Walking achieved during the course of work. Total steps for the day = 6300
Energy balance
Calories in = 873
Calories out = 410*
NET calorie intake = 463
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Monday, January 12, 2009
Solid foods: Day five
Today's food and other stuff.
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (123) with extra dried berries (30) and soya milk (40).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (65) and tuna (35), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), yellow pepper (14), cucumber (6) and olives (28).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (24) and a small banana (41)
Dinner: 35g wholewheat pasta (116), a small piece of steamed salmon (136), mixed mushrooms (8) and butternut squash (20).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49) with chopped strawberries (28)
Total calories for the day = 842
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Three mugs of tea (900), Ribena (600)
After dinner: Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3500ml
Activity
Walked around the local streets after I got home from work. Total steps for the day = 5900
Energy balance
Calories in = 842
Calories out = 370*
NET calorie intake = 472
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (123) with extra dried berries (30) and soya milk (40).
Lunch: Two Ryvita crispbreads (74) topped with low fat cottage cheese (65) and tuna (35), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (10), yellow pepper (14), cucumber (6) and olives (28).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (24) and a small banana (41)
Dinner: 35g wholewheat pasta (116), a small piece of steamed salmon (136), mixed mushrooms (8) and butternut squash (20).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49) with chopped strawberries (28)
Total calories for the day = 842
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of coffee (300), water (500)
Before dinner: Three mugs of tea (900), Ribena (600)
After dinner: Diet Coke (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3500ml
Activity
Walked around the local streets after I got home from work. Total steps for the day = 5900
Energy balance
Calories in = 842
Calories out = 370*
NET calorie intake = 472
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Solid foods: Day four
Today's food and other stuff.
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (130) with extra dried berries (27) and soya milk (35).
Lunch: Two small slices Hovis wholemeal bread (108) with a topping of low fat cottage cheese (45) and tuna (32), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (12), yellow pepper (16), cucumber (5) and olives (27).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20)
Dinner: Baby new potatoes (101), a small piece of steamed salmon (132) and mixed vegetables (75).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 899
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: Mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of tea (300), mug of coffee (250)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500), water (100)
After dinner: Diet Coke (500)
Total fluid intake for the day = 2850ml
Activity
Went for a 1.5h walk at Carr Mill Dam. Total steps for the day = 9200
Energy balance
Calories in = 899
Calories out = 580*
NET calorie intake = 419
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), muesli (130) with extra dried berries (27) and soya milk (35).
Lunch: Two small slices Hovis wholemeal bread (108) with a topping of low fat cottage cheese (45) and tuna (32), plus salad of cherry tomatoes (12), yellow pepper (16), cucumber (5) and olives (27).
Late afternoon: Sugar-free Ribena (20)
Dinner: Baby new potatoes (101), a small piece of steamed salmon (132) and mixed vegetables (75).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49)
Total calories for the day = 899
Drinks (ml in brackets)
Breakfast: Mug of tea (300), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Before lunch: Mug of tea (300), mug of coffee (250)
Before dinner: Two mugs of tea (600), Ribena (500), water (100)
After dinner: Diet Coke (500)
Total fluid intake for the day = 2850ml
Activity
Went for a 1.5h walk at Carr Mill Dam. Total steps for the day = 9200
Energy balance
Calories in = 899
Calories out = 580*
NET calorie intake = 419
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
My brain doesn't match my body
OK, let's face facts, for about ten weeks now, I have been leading a super-healthy lifestyle. I've been consuming less than 1000 calories a day, eating an extremely healthy diet with practically no fat and walking as though it were going out of fashion. I've lost 3 stones and 3 pounds and clothes are starting to fall off me. My brain is telling me I'm thin, I'm fit, healthy and feel fantastic. So what's wrong with that? Well nothing really - it's why I was banded, it's just that every now and then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and the body I see doesn't seem to belong to me anymore! My body still reflects the activities and consumption of my past life, not my present life - and it's confusing!
It has had me thinking, not for the first time, what will my body be like when I'm 10 stone 7 pounds? (notice the 'when', not 'if'! - that's positive thinking). Will I even recognise my own body? Will I feel like it belongs to me? Will I like it?
For me, losing weight was never just about changing my physical body. I know about the health risks (and reducing them was my number one reason for getting banded), I've experienced the negative vibes from other people because of my appearance, I've been through all of the difficulties inherent in buying clothes, not being able to do things that require fitter bodies etc etc. However, for me, a major factor in opting for a 'new life', was the positive effect it would have on my psychological well-being. Being obese, has for me, been a huge contributory factor in low self-esteem, lack of confidence and recurring depression. Although my body still has a long way to go to achieve thinness, it's fantastic that my brain already appears to be well on the way there!
It has had me thinking, not for the first time, what will my body be like when I'm 10 stone 7 pounds? (notice the 'when', not 'if'! - that's positive thinking). Will I even recognise my own body? Will I feel like it belongs to me? Will I like it?
For me, losing weight was never just about changing my physical body. I know about the health risks (and reducing them was my number one reason for getting banded), I've experienced the negative vibes from other people because of my appearance, I've been through all of the difficulties inherent in buying clothes, not being able to do things that require fitter bodies etc etc. However, for me, a major factor in opting for a 'new life', was the positive effect it would have on my psychological well-being. Being obese, has for me, been a huge contributory factor in low self-esteem, lack of confidence and recurring depression. Although my body still has a long way to go to achieve thinness, it's fantastic that my brain already appears to be well on the way there!
Now I'm only obese......
I just updated my weight loss ticker (click on the link above to go to the site and design your own) and noticed that my BMI has fallen below 35 for the first time. As you can see from the image, it started off above 40, which is officially the awful description 'morbidly obese'. I have then spent much of the post-op period in the 'moderately obese' category (35-40). Now, with my weight at 16 stone 4 pounds, I have fallen below 35 and am only 'obese'. I will have to wait until my BMI falls below 30 to enter the next category, which is 'overweight'. To get to a BMI of 29.9 my weight would have to be exactly 14 stone. If I lose 2 pounds per week (less than I am losing now, but I'd rather be pessimistic than over-optimistic!), then I will reach a BMI of less than 30 in 16 weeks time (that will be the 3rd May!!!)....... watch this space!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Solid foods: Day three
Today's food and other stuff. I decided, since it's the weekend, to have a non-muesli breakfast today! I also had a different lunch from the usual. I didn't intend having red onion and tomatoes for two meals – but that's just the way it turned out!
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), one scrambled egg (85) with finely chopped red onion (6), tomatoes (6) and milk (16) on a small slice of Hovis wholemeal bread (54).
Lunch: Jacket potato (142) with red onion (9), tomatoes (12), spinach (12) and low fat cottage cheese (52).
Late afternoon: Glass of sugar-free Ribena (12)
Dinner: Uncle Ben's wholewhat rice (172), Realeat vegemince (83), leeks (15) and broccoli (18).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49) with chopped strawberries (28).
Total calories for the day = 856
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk in scrambled egg (35)
Before lunch: Mug of tea (300)
Before dinner: Ribena (300)
After dinner: Diet Coke (300) and a mug of tea (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 2035ml
Activity
Went for a walk around the local streets (stopping off at Tesco on the way!). Total steps for the day = 6800.
Energy balance
Calories in = 856
Calories out = 430*
NET calorie intake = 426
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), one scrambled egg (85) with finely chopped red onion (6), tomatoes (6) and milk (16) on a small slice of Hovis wholemeal bread (54).
Lunch: Jacket potato (142) with red onion (9), tomatoes (12), spinach (12) and low fat cottage cheese (52).
Late afternoon: Glass of sugar-free Ribena (12)
Dinner: Uncle Ben's wholewhat rice (172), Realeat vegemince (83), leeks (15) and broccoli (18).
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49) with chopped strawberries (28).
Total calories for the day = 856
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk in scrambled egg (35)
Before lunch: Mug of tea (300)
Before dinner: Ribena (300)
After dinner: Diet Coke (300) and a mug of tea (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 2035ml
Activity
Went for a walk around the local streets (stopping off at Tesco on the way!). Total steps for the day = 6800.
Energy balance
Calories in = 856
Calories out = 430*
NET calorie intake = 426
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Calculating calories from walking
I've been posting the number of calories per day that I've used up through walking. I get this information from my pedometer, which tells me the number of steps, total distance and calories burned. I had to set my pedometer and tell it my weight, and my stride length. However, it occurred to me that not everybody has a pedometer, and even those that do may have a more basic version that only calculates steps. So, I found this really useful web site (click on the link above) that has simple tools for calculating calories burned from either (a) the distance you walked (in miles) and your weight, or (b) the time you spent walking (in minutes) and your weight. The latter tool also calculates the distance you've walked. The web site has lots of other useful things, like a tool for calculating calories burned from pedometer steps and a walking schedule. To find the tools - scroll to about half way down the opening page and select one of the following three options:Calorie calculator by distance (based on distance)
Calorie and distance calculator (based on time)
Pedometer steps calorie and distance calculator (based on pedometer steps)
With all of these tools, two facts become apparent: One is that the energy you use up while walking (or doing any activity) increases with weight. This means that if you lose weight over a period of time, the number of calories burned doing the same activity will decrease. Second, and partly a counter to the first fact, is that as you build up more muscle, your body uses up more calories just living and breathing. In other words, your metabolic rate increases. So although a 'lighter you' will burn less calories doing a specific activity, it will burn more just through general living. Either way, exercise is good!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Solid foods: Day two
Today's food and other stuff. You'll notice that I exceeded my 1000-1200 target today. This is because we went for a long and arduous walk up Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. It took six hours of trudging through snow on a very cold day, and according to my pedometer, I walked off 1220 calories!! Some of the food I ate is also a little different to norm because I was eating for energy while out in the fells. You will also notice that I increased the quantities in some cases (compare my breakfast with yesterday's, for example).
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), 55g Alpen sugar-free muesli (194) with soya milk (50) and a 20g sprinkling of dried fruit (54)
Lunch: 55g cherry tomatoes (10), 20g stuffed olives (27), 61g yellow pepper (15) and 43g cucumber (4), two small slices of Hovis wheatmeal bread (108), low fat cottage cheese (66) and a small piece of salmon (136). Also, an Alpen low fat cereal bar (59), a small box of raisins (42), and 500ml of sugar-free Ribena (20).
Late afternoon: Five Trebor soft mints (50).
Dinner: Two vegetarian hot dog sausages (135), 36g of wholewheat pasta (118), courgettes (27) and spinach (6). The hot dog sausages are the first thing I've eaten for about 10 weeks that contain a significant proportion of fat (9g)!
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49).
Total calories for the day = 1255
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (150)
During the day: Sugar-free Ribena (500) and water (500)
Late afternoon: Two mugs of tea (600)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300) and glass of Diet Coke (500)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3350ml
Activity
Went for a 6h walk up Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. Total steps for the day = 22,200
Energy balance
Calories in = 1255
Calories out = 1220*
NET calorie intake = 35
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), 55g Alpen sugar-free muesli (194) with soya milk (50) and a 20g sprinkling of dried fruit (54)
Lunch: 55g cherry tomatoes (10), 20g stuffed olives (27), 61g yellow pepper (15) and 43g cucumber (4), two small slices of Hovis wheatmeal bread (108), low fat cottage cheese (66) and a small piece of salmon (136). Also, an Alpen low fat cereal bar (59), a small box of raisins (42), and 500ml of sugar-free Ribena (20).
Late afternoon: Five Trebor soft mints (50).
Dinner: Two vegetarian hot dog sausages (135), 36g of wholewheat pasta (118), courgettes (27) and spinach (6). The hot dog sausages are the first thing I've eaten for about 10 weeks that contain a significant proportion of fat (9g)!
Supper: Weight Watchers low fat yoghurt (49).
Total calories for the day = 1255
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (150)
During the day: Sugar-free Ribena (500) and water (500)
Late afternoon: Two mugs of tea (600)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300) and glass of Diet Coke (500)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3350ml
Activity
Went for a 6h walk up Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. Total steps for the day = 22,200
Energy balance
Calories in = 1255
Calories out = 1220*
NET calorie intake = 35
*As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Solid foods: Day one
A few weeks ago I posted my daily food intake during seven days of pureed foods. It's about time I did the same for solid foods - so here is my first installment. This should cover an interesting seven days because at the moment I am still on holiday (at home), then there will be a weekend, and then I go back to work on Monday. It will be interesting to see how my daily activities affect my eating habits. I've included sections on drinks and activities this time since I am now recording these daily as well.
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), 35g Alpen sugar-free muesli (123) with soya milk (35) and a 10g sprinkling of dried fruit (27)
Lunch: Mixed salad with 53g cherry tomatoes (10), 18g stuffed olives (24), 62g yellow pepper (15), 10g red onion (4), 25g lettuce (4) and 42g cucumber (4), two Ryvita crispbreads (74) with a topping of tuna in brine (36) mixed with Philadelphia Extra Light (28)
Tea: Weight Watchers yoghurt (49)
Dinner: 68g piece of steamed salmon (136), 124g baby new potatoes (98), 57g courgettes (10), 39g sprouts (16) and 60g broccoli (19)
Supper: Ambrosia low fat creamed rice (123)
Total calories for the day = 920
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Mid-morning: Mug of tea (300)
After lunch: Two large glasses Diet Coke (1000ml)
Late afternoon: Mug of tea (300)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300) and glass of water (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Went for a walk around the local streets. Total steps for the day = 7250
Energy balance*
Calories in = 920
Calories out = 460**
NET calorie intake = 460
*Added Friday 9th January
**As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Food (calories in brackets):
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice (85), 35g Alpen sugar-free muesli (123) with soya milk (35) and a 10g sprinkling of dried fruit (27)
Lunch: Mixed salad with 53g cherry tomatoes (10), 18g stuffed olives (24), 62g yellow pepper (15), 10g red onion (4), 25g lettuce (4) and 42g cucumber (4), two Ryvita crispbreads (74) with a topping of tuna in brine (36) mixed with Philadelphia Extra Light (28)
Tea: Weight Watchers yoghurt (49)
Dinner: 68g piece of steamed salmon (136), 124g baby new potatoes (98), 57g courgettes (10), 39g sprouts (16) and 60g broccoli (19)
Supper: Ambrosia low fat creamed rice (123)
Total calories for the day = 920
Drinks (ml in brackets):
Breakfast: Two mugs of tea (600), fresh orange juice (200), milk on cereal (100)
Mid-morning: Mug of tea (300)
After lunch: Two large glasses Diet Coke (1000ml)
Late afternoon: Mug of tea (300)
After dinner: Mug of tea (300) and glass of water (300)
Total fluid intake for the day = 3100ml
Activity
Went for a walk around the local streets. Total steps for the day = 7250
Energy balance*
Calories in = 920
Calories out = 460**
NET calorie intake = 460
*Added Friday 9th January
**As recorded by my Digiwalker pedometer
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Some thoughts on drinking
Regular readers will be aware of my previous posts about dehydration, dry skin, ketones etc. I've been thinking quite a lot about drinking, particularly, how much fluid I consume each day (currently about 2-2.5 litres), because I think getting fluid consumption right is the key to lots of things. I was reading a thread on one of the forums which started off with somebody who was struggling to keep any food down after a fill. A number of people replied, saying things along the lines of, 'yes, this is something we all struggle with - you just have to put up with it'. But then another person suggested that perhaps the original poster should try drinking more. Finally, a lady posted a message outlining when and how much she drinks each day - and it was such interesting reading I've re-written the essentials below. This particular lady has no problems keeping food down at all even though she has 11mls in a 14ml band.
6.30am - Tumbler of water and cup of tea (before leaving for work).
8.00am - Cup of tea or coffee and a pint of orange squash (when at work).
9.00 to 9.30am - Breakfast.
10.30am - A pint of water.
12.00pm - Lunch.
1.00pm - A pint of water.
1.00pm to 4.00pm - A pint of water and a hot drink.
5.00pm - Tumbler of water and cup of tea or coffee.
After dinner - Another pint of water and a glass of water before bed.
Now, assuming that "a cup" and "a tumbler" are equivalent to 250mls, and a "pint" is more or less 500mls, this equates to at least 4.25 litres per day!! This is serious drinking. I don't think I could physically manage that amount. For a start, I'd be spending half my time at work going to and from the loo! Also, I don't mind a bit of water but I find it much easier to drink fluids that have some flavour! However, it does sound as though increasing my fluid consumption to around 3 litres per day might be a good idea. In particular, I'm a little nervous about the restriction I will get after my first fill - and not being able to eat enough. I have heard all sorts of horror stories about productive burps (PBs) and vomiting in public - and understandably I'm quite keen to avoid them myself! So, I am going to try and increase my fluid consumption in the next two weeks so I am in the habit before my first fill (19th January - 12 days away).
Currently, this is my typical drinking pattern:
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice and mug (300ml) of tea. Followed by cereal (muesli).
Mug of tea (300ml) mid-morning.
More tea (300ml) an hour after lunch.
Occasionally 500ml bottle of sugar-free Ribena drank throughout the day.
More tea (300ml) before evening meal.
More tea or diet coke (300 to 500ml) an hour after eating.
I think there are two things I need to change:
1. Finding other suitable and attractive drinks (I may not be able to drink diet coke once I have restriction)
2. Drinking more during the morning (I've often only drunk about 6-700ml by late afternoon).
I'll keep you posted on progress.
6.30am - Tumbler of water and cup of tea (before leaving for work).
8.00am - Cup of tea or coffee and a pint of orange squash (when at work).
9.00 to 9.30am - Breakfast.
10.30am - A pint of water.
12.00pm - Lunch.
1.00pm - A pint of water.
1.00pm to 4.00pm - A pint of water and a hot drink.
5.00pm - Tumbler of water and cup of tea or coffee.
After dinner - Another pint of water and a glass of water before bed.
Now, assuming that "a cup" and "a tumbler" are equivalent to 250mls, and a "pint" is more or less 500mls, this equates to at least 4.25 litres per day!! This is serious drinking. I don't think I could physically manage that amount. For a start, I'd be spending half my time at work going to and from the loo! Also, I don't mind a bit of water but I find it much easier to drink fluids that have some flavour! However, it does sound as though increasing my fluid consumption to around 3 litres per day might be a good idea. In particular, I'm a little nervous about the restriction I will get after my first fill - and not being able to eat enough. I have heard all sorts of horror stories about productive burps (PBs) and vomiting in public - and understandably I'm quite keen to avoid them myself! So, I am going to try and increase my fluid consumption in the next two weeks so I am in the habit before my first fill (19th January - 12 days away).
Currently, this is my typical drinking pattern:
Breakfast: 200ml fresh orange juice and mug (300ml) of tea. Followed by cereal (muesli).
Mug of tea (300ml) mid-morning.
More tea (300ml) an hour after lunch.
Occasionally 500ml bottle of sugar-free Ribena drank throughout the day.
More tea (300ml) before evening meal.
More tea or diet coke (300 to 500ml) an hour after eating.
I think there are two things I need to change:
1. Finding other suitable and attractive drinks (I may not be able to drink diet coke once I have restriction)
2. Drinking more during the morning (I've often only drunk about 6-700ml by late afternoon).
I'll keep you posted on progress.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Some useful numbers
Over the past few weeks I have been accumulating some useful numbers (mainly in my head). I'm referring to calories - so I thought I'd post some here:3500 calories is equivalent to 1 pound.
For someone of my weight, and female, a daily calorie intake of about 2250 will maintain my current weight (click on the image link or on the title above for a really useful tool which will calculate your daily calorie requirement - based on height, current weight, and level of activity).
My pedometer (available from Healthier Weight) calculates energy output in calories - for me this is typically 500 per day.
Each day I am consuming about 950 calories.
This means that my NET daily calorie intake is 950 - 500 = 450.
If my body needs 2250 per day to maintain my current weight, then I am consuming 2250-450 = 1800 calories a day LESS than I need to. Given that 3500 calories equates to 1 pound, this means that I should lose 1 pound about every two days (2 x 1800 = 3600). This level of weight loss will only be maintained if I continue to exercise at my current level. Also, the amount of calories you need each day to maintain weight, decreases as I lose weight (so you need to re-do the calculations every so often). In reality, my activity level is likely to decrease when I get back to work next week and so my weight loss will slow down a bit.
A few other useful figures:
- 1g of fat is equivalent to 9 calories
- 1g of carbohydrate is equivalent to 3.75 calories
- 1g of protein is equivalent to 4 calories
- 1g (or ml) of alcohol is equivalent to 7 calories
Here are the calorie counts (per 100g) for a few vegetables that I eat a lot:
Green beans - 25
Mushrooms - 13-16*
Red onion - 37
Yellow pepper - 25
Tomato - 19
Aubergine and courgette - 18
Cucumber - 10
Broccoli and cauliflower - 31
Butternut squash - 38
Watch out for some high calorie vegetables such as sweet potato - which is 80/100g!
* Corrected 07.01.09
Monday, January 5, 2009
Lunch for days out
Since my surgery, my husband and I have been getting out quite a bit for walks. Sometimes we just walk around our local streets or pop to the local country park. Other times we go further afield and have a 'proper' walk in the hills. We are lucky to be within an hour's drive of the Pennines, the Clwydian Hills of north Wales and the Peak District. Another half an hour will get us out to the south Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Snowdonia!
I've been finding it difficult to decide what to prepare for my packed lunch to take with me on these longer walks. One walk we had up onto Kinderscout Moor in the Peak District while I was still on pureed foods was a bit of a disaster in this respect. I couldn't eat bread or crispbreads or fruit or cereal bars at that stage so took a couple of plastic tubs with soft mush in. One tub had some mashed potato left over from the night before, plus some cold baked beans. In the other tub I had a mixture of chick peas and tinned chopped tomatoes. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! However, when sat on top of a freezing cold, open moorland, feeling very tired and hungry, I must say it seemed like a very stupid idea. I ate what I could but just found it impossible to eat much because it was just Soooo unappetising. Later, on this particularly long and arduous walk, I had to resort to eating loads of Dextrosol energy tablets to keep one foot moving in front of the other.
We went out for a walk today in the Pennines around Burnley. There was a lot of snow on the ground but it was a beautiful, cold, crisp day with hardly a fleck in the sky. Today for lunch, I took some Special K cereal bars (only 59 calories each), some raisins, and a tub full of Weight To Go chick pea and tomato tagine...... (177 calories) - this also seemed like a good idea at the time (when will I ever learn?!). I ate half of it but there are two problems with talking this kind of food on a long walk. One is that it just isn't anywhere as nice when it's stone cold. The other is that it doesn't provide the immediate energy source your body is crying out for.
So, on the way back, I mulled over this problem and decided that next time I go for a long walk I will take the following for lunch: A packet of Ryvita minis (if you haven't tried these they are lovely - 99 calories), an individual tub of Philadelphia Light cream cheese (you can buy these in packs of four small tubs at Tesco - each tub is 55 calories), and a tub full of cherry tomatoes, pieces of yellow pepper, olives and cucumber chunks. I'll also take nibbles in the form of Special K cereal bars, raisins and fruit (eg an apple). I've decided that while I am capable of eating moderate sized portions at the moment, it would be better when expending a lot of energy to spread smaller chunks of eating throughout the day.
Watch this space - I'll keep you posted on progress next time we go out for the day!
I've been finding it difficult to decide what to prepare for my packed lunch to take with me on these longer walks. One walk we had up onto Kinderscout Moor in the Peak District while I was still on pureed foods was a bit of a disaster in this respect. I couldn't eat bread or crispbreads or fruit or cereal bars at that stage so took a couple of plastic tubs with soft mush in. One tub had some mashed potato left over from the night before, plus some cold baked beans. In the other tub I had a mixture of chick peas and tinned chopped tomatoes. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! However, when sat on top of a freezing cold, open moorland, feeling very tired and hungry, I must say it seemed like a very stupid idea. I ate what I could but just found it impossible to eat much because it was just Soooo unappetising. Later, on this particularly long and arduous walk, I had to resort to eating loads of Dextrosol energy tablets to keep one foot moving in front of the other.
We went out for a walk today in the Pennines around Burnley. There was a lot of snow on the ground but it was a beautiful, cold, crisp day with hardly a fleck in the sky. Today for lunch, I took some Special K cereal bars (only 59 calories each), some raisins, and a tub full of Weight To Go chick pea and tomato tagine...... (177 calories) - this also seemed like a good idea at the time (when will I ever learn?!). I ate half of it but there are two problems with talking this kind of food on a long walk. One is that it just isn't anywhere as nice when it's stone cold. The other is that it doesn't provide the immediate energy source your body is crying out for.
So, on the way back, I mulled over this problem and decided that next time I go for a long walk I will take the following for lunch: A packet of Ryvita minis (if you haven't tried these they are lovely - 99 calories), an individual tub of Philadelphia Light cream cheese (you can buy these in packs of four small tubs at Tesco - each tub is 55 calories), and a tub full of cherry tomatoes, pieces of yellow pepper, olives and cucumber chunks. I'll also take nibbles in the form of Special K cereal bars, raisins and fruit (eg an apple). I've decided that while I am capable of eating moderate sized portions at the moment, it would be better when expending a lot of energy to spread smaller chunks of eating throughout the day.
Watch this space - I'll keep you posted on progress next time we go out for the day!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Irritability!
A few times lately, when I've not eaten as soon as I would have liked, I've suddenly become really irritable. Now, my husband might tell you that I'm an irritable person anyway - and if I'm honest he'd be right! But this is a rapid onset irritability that I don't seem to be able to control. Basically, it happens if I get hungry, a feeling that I am not used to experiencing. Most commonly it happens if my planned eating time is delayed in some way. For example, one day recently, dinner took much longer to prepare than I'd anticipated, so I got hungry and started cursing the saucepans! Another day I was trying to prepare a lunch that included tuna, and the cats (eager to get some for themselves!) kept getting under my feet and delaying me - so I shouted at them!
Thinking about this made me realise that hunger is not a feeling I have much experience with - since in the past I have always been a more-or-less compulsive eater and so I've never given my body a chance to be hungry! I could understand it if my body just slowed down when I get hungry, but I don't really understand the irritability. Surely this cannot be a natural response to hunger because irritability and anger use up valuable energy...?
The link above connects to an interesting article in the New York Times entitled "Moody, cranky, tired? Feed me!".
Thinking about this made me realise that hunger is not a feeling I have much experience with - since in the past I have always been a more-or-less compulsive eater and so I've never given my body a chance to be hungry! I could understand it if my body just slowed down when I get hungry, but I don't really understand the irritability. Surely this cannot be a natural response to hunger because irritability and anger use up valuable energy...?
The link above connects to an interesting article in the New York Times entitled "Moody, cranky, tired? Feed me!".
Dry skin
Early on after I had the surgery I experienced dry skin like I've never known before. I had it everywhere - on my back, arms, legs, hands, face, buttocks and around my tummy. I believe the dry skin is caused by reduced fluid intake during the surgery and in the first days and weeks post-op. My tummy area was made much worse by the fact that my skin does not react very well to having anything sticky stuck to it! After surgery I had some fairly large adhesive dressings on, plus steri-strips underneath. When I eventually took them all off my skin was red raw and very itchy. I got some treatment advice from my dietitian and nurse but nothing they suggested worked. In fact, one product I was recommended actually made my tummy itching and soreness a lot worse!
In the end, I resorted to an off-the-shelf standard remedy - E45 cream. I thought I'd update you on progress since this might be useful for anyone currently going through the post-surgery phase. Basically, E45 cream has done the trick! I have been rubbing it in my tummy area and all around the scars since the op and all of the redness and itching was considerably improved within a week or so of starting use it. There's also a slightly stronger variety called E45 Itch Relief cream - I used this for a while too in the most itchy areas.
Probably, many bandits don't experience the sort of semi-allergic reaction to adhesive dressings that I did. But for me, the skin soreness around my tummy and associated itching lasted much longer than any surgery-related pain or discomfort. After I had got the first week behind me the skin problem was by far the worst post-op problem I faced.
In the end, I resorted to an off-the-shelf standard remedy - E45 cream. I thought I'd update you on progress since this might be useful for anyone currently going through the post-surgery phase. Basically, E45 cream has done the trick! I have been rubbing it in my tummy area and all around the scars since the op and all of the redness and itching was considerably improved within a week or so of starting use it. There's also a slightly stronger variety called E45 Itch Relief cream - I used this for a while too in the most itchy areas.
Probably, many bandits don't experience the sort of semi-allergic reaction to adhesive dressings that I did. But for me, the skin soreness around my tummy and associated itching lasted much longer than any surgery-related pain or discomfort. After I had got the first week behind me the skin problem was by far the worst post-op problem I faced.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Progress on 'the knee'
At this moment in time, I should just be settling down to bed in my hotel room, Cervinia, Italy. I would have gone to bed nice and early to be ready tomorrow for a hard day's skiing on the slopes....If you read my blog regularly, you may recall that on Monday 29th December I slipped over on ice while out walking and hurt my knee. I said I'd keep you updated on progress - so here it is.
My knee has got a lot better over the past week, but unfortunately, not at a fast enough pace to be ready for a week's skiing. I can walk quite well now, and walked 10,000 steps today. However, as anyone who has been skiing will know, skiing really gives some serious trauma to the legs(!) and I need to be as fit and as confident as possible. Consequently, we took the decision yesterday to cancel. We are both disappointed but we've had a week to prepare ourselves for what was, perhaps, the inevitable. It's not all bad, we will almost certainly go later in February or early March instead. There are a few up-sides to this: (a) I may be able to fit into my salopettes by then! (I can get them on and zip them up - but I can't yet breathe in them!), (b) I'll be lighter and fitter by then, (c) I'm still taking this week off work so we're planning lots of day-trips and walks.
As I explained before, this little 'misfortune' initially made me quite depressed and I started craving all sorts of sweet and fattening foods. I'm better now because I have a holiday to look forward to a little later in the year AND a nice stay-at-home holiday to look forward to this week.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Odd cravings
I've never been pregnant (and I'm not now!), but I understand that pregnant women often suffer from unusual food cravings. I'm experiencing something similar to that now and have been over the past few days. It started with a sudden desire for sweet things - like my worst nightmare - chocolate. Also danish pastries and muffins! But my craving has moved on and now its eggs! At odd times of day when I feel hungry, I just want to eat an egg! I succumbed a couple of days ago and sat eating a boiled egg at about 11.30pm! Today, I couldn't face muesli for breakfast but instead had a scrambled egg with leeks and tomatoes! Now, given that I do not eat meat, eating the odd extra egg shouldn't pose any difficulties as they are a good alternative source of protein. However, too many eggs have a tendency to play havoc with my digestive system - if you see what I mean - so I'll have to be careful to resist these food urges some of the time!
My eating habits have changed quite a lot in the past few weeks. I am no longer fixated on the need to have complete 'meals' every time I eat. For example, if I feel towards the end of the day that I haven't eaten enough protein, I'm quite happy to sit down and eat a small piece of salmon on its own! I'm trying to follow the dietary advice of my provider which is to have the following elements of food each day:
Starchy foods (3-4 servings daily): Eg crispbreads, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, porridge, muesli
Fruit (2-3 servings daily)
Vegetables (3-5 servings daily)
Meat or alternatives (2-3 servings daily): Eg fish, tofu, quorn, beans or lentils, eggs
Milk and diary (2-3 servings daily): Eg milk, yoghurt, cream cheese
In addition, there is an optional category of Fats (1 serving daily) - such as margarine, nuts, cream, salad dressing. Most days I do struggle to consume the right amount of protein and I've been avoiding fats altogether. Perhaps this explains my egg cravings...?
My eating habits have changed quite a lot in the past few weeks. I am no longer fixated on the need to have complete 'meals' every time I eat. For example, if I feel towards the end of the day that I haven't eaten enough protein, I'm quite happy to sit down and eat a small piece of salmon on its own! I'm trying to follow the dietary advice of my provider which is to have the following elements of food each day:
Starchy foods (3-4 servings daily): Eg crispbreads, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, porridge, muesli
Fruit (2-3 servings daily)
Vegetables (3-5 servings daily)
Meat or alternatives (2-3 servings daily): Eg fish, tofu, quorn, beans or lentils, eggs
Milk and diary (2-3 servings daily): Eg milk, yoghurt, cream cheese
In addition, there is an optional category of Fats (1 serving daily) - such as margarine, nuts, cream, salad dressing. Most days I do struggle to consume the right amount of protein and I've been avoiding fats altogether. Perhaps this explains my egg cravings...?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
To all bandits (and potential bandits) out there, I wish you all a really healthy, happy and successful new year.
This year, so far, hasn't started out that well for me (because of my knee - see earlier post, and some family medical problems) but nevertheless, I am hopeful that it will be one of the best years of my life (no pressure then!). I am truly looking forward to a year of continued weight loss, increased physical fitness and improved health. If all goes well with the band I should have reached my target weight by the end of the year. Although that thought is tinged with slight anxiety (will it work, will it all go well?) - it is also an extremely exciting thought! I truly hope that the mere thought that I really could reach 10 stone 7 pounds by the end of the year will carry me through the difficult times - I know they will come.
So far, I have been taking things as a series of milestones - the pre-op diet, surgery, the fluid phase, purees, solid foods, my first support group meeting and Christmas. There are quite a few milestones to go - my first fill, subsequent fills, more support group meetings, reaching my 'sweet spot' and dealing with going away and eating out. I also have a number of weigh loss milestones to pass. I've already passed one - I went below 17 stone for the first time in ten years! Another 8 pounds and I will be below 16 stone - amazing!
At present, I am waiting for the next milestone - my first fill on 19th January. This seems like a long way off still, and I know I will find it a struggle hanging on until then. I've been finding it a little more difficult the past few days - probably because I have been a little 'low' about my knee. [The update on my knee is that we almost certainly will have to cancel our ski holiday but are leaving it until tomorrow to make the final decision].
So here's to 2009 - roll on!
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