Nutrition/Exercise Education Class ? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

ajmoe · 01-20-2006, 06:16 AM

So I went to my first nutrition/exercise/lifestyle change education class last night. For those that don't know I am on a 6 month plan where I need to go to the counseling and education class. So I went last night with a pretty positive attitude. Since it is a military base we have a small population and I thought maybe this class was going to be for people like me trying to have WLS and proving to the doctors that I am willing to put in the effort. I thought maybe I would find a support group right here full of people like me. I found out very quickly that was not what it was. It was a very very basic class geared toward people who are trying to lose weight and learn to do it on their own. Well I have done that and I wanted something more.
But they went over the new food pyramid last night and told us the benefits to exercise. I know what I should eat and that I should exercise but I have been unsuccesful in the part to maintain that. So that is why I was trying to have WLS. I felt so frustrated that it was the same exact thing over again. I was really hoping for more out of this class.

So now I don't know how to take this class. I am trying to keep an open mind about it but I feel like I am just getting through the classes to make it to the end goal of WLS.
Has anyone done these or are doing these or just have some thoughts or words of advice.
I try to go into every situation with a positive attitude but this time I am having a hard time looking at the sunny side of things.

Good note I am one class down 11 more to go and a few months of counseling after that as well as losing a few pounds and I am there. My doctor said if I still want it then he will give me the referral.

Pixie · 01-20-2006, 09:38 AM

Angie,

Unfortunately a lot of doctors and/or insurance companies require the 6 month weight loss program. You are not alone in your frustration. I think we all had the same attitude about it. I mean if you are MO and desperate enough to want WLS then you probably have tried to lose weight on your own once or twice (or 50 times

) and having one more person tell you how to eat right, excersize, cut down your portions, have willpower, blah blah blah, makes you want to scream. The sucky part is there is usually no way around it. My recommendation is listen to everything they are saying and think about how you can apply it post-op. Although their suggestions may not work for you now, after you have the tool to lose weight (the surgery) they will play an important role in your recovery and long term weight loss. It is frustrating, but consider it part of the hazing/initiation process

We all have to go through it so now you are just one step closer to being part of the post-op club

Good luck with your journey, and hang in there. The six months will fly by, trust me, in a year or so you will look back, and think I can't believe all that has happened in such a short period of time!