I hate everything that's good for me! - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes

JumboJulie · 06-26-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blisandt

I sense the idea of "loss" here, but (perversely?) really can't wait (eagerly await) the "never get hungry" "just stick to the basics" "food bring(ing) NO pleasure"...

not to highjack the thread (perhaps I should start a new one with my question?), but JJ: what do you do with your time now ?

Thanks.

There was a real sense of loss after the surgery. The first month was hell, I wasn't really prepared for it (not sure if anyone really ever is). Everyone around me was eating as usual, while my eating came to a screaching halt. The adjustment was huge. And when I couldn't progress from stage to stage according to the Nut's guidelines, it was even more frustrating. I started feeling sorry for myself, even had feelings of regret over having the surgery ... wondering 'why did I do this to myself?' I was questioning just about everything.
I was grateful that I had beat my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But it was tough coping with my new lifestyle.
It did take some time for me to turn my attitude around. At one point I realized just how fortunate I really am, and no, nobody ever told me this was going to be 'easy'. I've lost a good chunk of my excess weight, and am feeling better than I can ever remember. About 3 weeks ago I started seeing a psychologist to help me sort it all out in my head, and it's done wonders for me. I think one of the reasons I just don't feel hunger for food anymore is that just about everything makes me sick (try eating a gallon of mint and chip ice cream until you puke ... there's a good chance you won't be touching that stuff again for a long LONG time!)
I have come a long way since surgery. I have benefited in more ways than just what the scale says. So even though I struggle with finding NO pleasure in food anymore, I can't sit here and feel sorry for myself. I can't find a single reason to feel sad about my situation, you know? I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I feel very fortunate that I DO have a few foods I can tollerate, AND a protein drink that works great for me.

A lot of my time is now spent with friends, and I always fit in some alone time for myself each day. I actually went to a pool party where most there were strangers to me. Not only was I in a bathing suit in front of everyone, but I was smiling, talking and playing pool games with everyone, genuinely having a wonderful day! Riding my bike to Starbucks is my alone time I cherish. It's a 15 mile round trip journey, AND my reward is a big iced coffee sipped while relaxing in the sun. I went shopping with a close friend and we tried on all kinds of dresses ... it was a blast. I now fill my days interacting with the 'real' world and embracing it (something I avoided pre-surgery).

Sorry for all the rambling ... I just hope it made some kind of sense and answered your questions

Withacy · 06-27-2008, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiianese Girl

Withacy~
Finally! Someone in metro Atlanta with me! Whooo Hoooo! I'm interested in your story..have you posted one yet? I love Whole Foods, so hopefully I can find something there that's edible..lol

Haven't yet - I don't even have a surgery date yet, so I feel like my story is really incomplete. Just a bunch of failure so far.

It's great having some home-girls on here!

I think I'll do ok with everyone eating around me and me not eating. I have a bit of a martyr syndrom. Or maybe I just crave the attention of people making a fuss over me not eating.

Before my weight got really out of hand (around 30), way back when I was 19, I went to basic training (Army Reserves - before one of the greatest humiliations of my life: being discharged for being too fat). I went into basic training at 140lbs (and only making the grade because they generously made my height an inch taller and gave me an overly generous clothing allowence off of my weight). 5 weeks later I weighed 115lbs. At first I was too terrified to eat (plus summer at Ft Jackson SC - it was around 100 every day - I was always so thirsty, I was mostly just interested in drinking during meals). But I think, as it went on, I started enjoying the feeling of people making a fuss over me. How warped is that?

Anyway, I think without the hunger that consumes me, I might be ok. Especially with the feedback I'll be getting. I work with mostly women, in health related fields...I KNOW they'll make a fuss - they already ask me about my surgery status almost every day!

I'm such an attention whore.

JumboJulie · 06-27-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Withacy

Haven't yet - I don't even have a surgery date yet, so I feel like my story is really incomplete. Just a bunch of failure so far.

.

I hope you start writing ... I've had the surgery already, and my story is far from being 'complete'. We're always adding new chapters to our stories.

Hawaiianese Girl · 07-01-2008, 01:25 PM

Still waiting on some suggestions as to what I can make or some recipes from the list of foods that I listed for all of you who asked!
Thanks,

THIN4TWINS · 07-01-2008, 03:01 PM

Hi Mahealani,

I think your thread got hijacked...haha. Anyway, here are a couple of ideas for you: I love soft chicken tacos. If you use only a slight amount of oil when cooking your chicken then its pretty healthy. Just use regular taco seasoning and go easy on the tortilla but with lots of cheese and sour cream, they are yummy and pretty pouch friendly. Also, some refried beans (fat free of course) mixed with taco seasoning, with some cheese and sour cream is super yummy! I also like to make chicken casseroles - you can use reduced or non fat ingredients and they are really moist and pretty easy to eat, as well. Also on your salads, you might want to try a vinigrette instead of a cream based salad dressing. If you can do the ginger dressing then the creamy/mayonaise base might be your problem. There are all kinds of vinagrettes- caesar, greek, raspberry. I am sure you could find something you like. I had a friend who had the surgery a few years back and she still can't do the creamy salad dressings. Hope this helps and hope you are finding some interesting and tasty new foods to try!

Amy~

Hawaiianese Girl · 07-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Thank you Amy! Sounds yummy! So do I use regular taco seasoning that I'd add to hamburger and just mix it with the chicken, or is there special chicken seasoning I'm supposed to use?

soon2bthin · 07-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIN4TWINS

Hi Mahealani,

I think your thread got hijacked...haha. Anyway, here are a couple of ideas for you: I love soft chicken tacos. If you use only a slight amount of oil when cooking your chicken then its pretty healthy. Just use regular taco seasoning and go easy on the tortilla but with lots of cheese and sour cream, they are yummy and pretty pouch friendly. Also, some refried beans (fat free of course) mixed with taco seasoning, with some cheese and sour cream is super yummy! I also like to make chicken casseroles - you can use reduced or non fat ingredients and they are really moist and pretty easy to eat, as well. Also on your salads, you might want to try a vinigrette instead of a cream based salad dressing. If you can do the ginger dressing then the creamy/mayonaise base might be your problem. There are all kinds of vinagrettes- caesar, greek, raspberry. I am sure you could find something you like. I had a friend who had the surgery a few years back and she still can't do the creamy salad dressings. Hope this helps and hope you are finding some interesting and tasty new foods to try!

Amy~

I agree with Amy on the salad dressings. I have real problem with the creamy ones, like ranch for example, but Kraft makes some awesome vineagrettes. Plus salads are something you can really switch up and experiment with. Like adding some nuts or fruits or whatever the possibilities are endless. Also there is a great recipe section on here, I suggest you go there and peruse those. There are some awesome recipes on it .

THIN4TWINS · 07-01-2008, 06:35 PM

Just regular old taco seasoning will work. Just follow the same directions as you would for the hamburger version. And be careful will the tortilla. Some can't handle them at all...some would say even if you can handle it don't eat it cause its a carb. The chicken by itself would be just as good with a bit of cheese, sour cream, salsa, whatever. Just do what works for you!

Phoenixfire · 07-01-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiianese Girl

Still waiting on some suggestions as to what I can make or some recipes from the list of foods that I listed for all of you who asked!
Thanks,

A much easier and personalized way to get this information about feeding yourself is to use the website foodnetwork.com

It's a site where you can type in an ingredient (your favorite food) and get TONS of recipes for any single food item you like.

It tells you the exact ingredients and every single step on how to prepare every dish that their BIG website has.

If you don't know how to cook then I recommend foodnetwork to everyone, including my kids when they were learning how to take care of themselves before they moved out. They both know how to cook anything now and they use foodnetwork all the time. They say it was one of the best "parenting" things I ever did for them in order to help them grow up.

The website is easy to navigate (easier than this one even!) and the search box allows you to put in ANY single food ingredient.

So you can take your list and go to the site and put the food item you DO like and get MANY recipes for what you can make for each and every food you DO like. And all the preparation is very detailed in explanation and it's very simple to use.

It's probably going to get you faster responses and more detailed information on how to make the foods your body needs, and it will give you cooking skills that it sounds like you're asking for some guidance on.

Have fun. It's a great site.

sdgrrl · 07-01-2008, 11:15 PM

Canned chili is my salvation. It has 19g of protein per serving--1/2 can! Just heat it in the microwave with a bunch of cheese melted on top. The cheese is protein, too. (Amusingly, the 'cheese' that has the best protein is Velveeta!

)

I used to hate fish terribly, but here is a great recipe for baked Tilapia. Spray the pan and spray the fish with Pam. Lay the fillets in the pan, and place Tarragon sprigs on top of the fillets (best) or sprinkle the fillets with tarragon flakes. Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins till done. If you use sprigs, take them off and throw them away. The tarragon gives it a really nice flavor.