Inner Surfer Girl

I know as a woman I have been socialized to only go for things I know I can do well rather than try something I think I can do. After many years I have seen so many men get jobs/promotions with less education, experience, skill, just because their egos have no problem claiming expertise in areas where they have none. Not that I want to misrepresent my skills and a abilities, but I am trying to learn to be more confident in presenting them. Being an obese woman was never a benefit. Now that I am regaining my health and fitness I intend to go for it!

60 grams isn't very much. My goal is at least 100 grams. The lowest I have seen from my surgeon is 80 grams.

This is excellent. I like that it has some very practical suggestions. Thanks for sharing.

Are you weighing and measuring everything? If so, and are following your program as directed, you just may need to stay off the scale. Keep following the program and keep drinking lots of Water. Depending on what you were eating before this 2 weeks, you may be on a stall, or your body may just be taking some time to adjust. I wouldn't try to outsmart your program by restricting. If in doubt, why not give your NUT a call to talk about your concerns?

If you are bored and impatient at 5 months, how are you going to react at 5 years? This is when the rubber hits the road. Why not make an appointment with your NUT? A therapist? Attend a support group meeting? Go to OA (OA.org)? I know I get repetitive on my post, but embracing the stall for me is realizing its part of the process and not something to be beaten, overcome, or outsmarted. Stalls in my previous dieting life were when I gave up or did something crazy (like double-down on the crazy dieting). I truly believe that how I learn to do deal with this anxiety and boredom when I stall is what is going to help me be successful in both the short and long run. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Check out surf wear. I wear a long-sleeved rash guard when I swim because I get cold.

Reading this article brought back so many memories: the annual President's Physical Fitness test, gym glass, locker rooms, lunchrooms, etc. I only wish I knew then what I have learned about obesity, nutrition, and fitness since starting my weight loss surgery journey. It is so scary how much damage well-meaning but misguided advice from the medical community, schools, and public health has done to the bodies and minds of those of us who struggle with obesity. It is as if the war on obesity is really a war on the obese. And, it starts so early. http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/the-youngest-casualties-in-the-war-on-obesity This is a sobering article.

Get a kitchen scale and some good measuring cups. You can also get containers (ex. ziploc) that hold small portions.

Best of luck! Let us know how you are doing when you are able, See you on the other side!

Mashed potatoes are soft but don't have any Protein. How are you getting in your protein?

Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns? Your protein seems low to me. What does your NUT advise?

Sending hugs. For what it is worth (I am single, never married): It is ok to cry and grieve over the end of your marriage. It is ok to be miserable for a while. You do not have to decide anything today. You are going through a tremendous amount of stress and change: WLS, weight loss, work, living situation, and your marriage dissolving. Rather than jumping blindly into the dating pool, why not take some time to grieve and heal (physically, emotionally, spiritually)? Do you have a good counselor or therapist? You might also want to look for a good bariatric support group and/or 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). When you are emotionally stronger, then you can be better able to rationally date. You are not doomed to be alone the rest of your life. You get to choose whether or not you date or seek a new, healthy relationship. In the meantime, why not find out how strong and awesome you are by yourself? Again, it is ok to cry and grieve. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Sounds like a good reason not to drink coffee.

SMH. Money can't buy class, taste, or common sense.

It is very common to struggle with emotions and feelings post-op. Out hormones are in flux due to the fat loss and we no longer have our favorite coping mechanism -- food. It is ok to seek help. Do you have a counselor or therapist? If not, see if the person who did your psych clearance can see you or refer you to someone to talk to. A good therapist can help you learn new, healthy ways to cope with stress, uncomfortable feelings, and anxiety. Have you talked with your PCP about your anxiety and depression? You may also want to find a good bariatric support group and/or a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). In addition, exercise, adequate nutrition, and good quality sleep will help you to feel better. A good book that you may find helpful is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. As to complications. They are just that, complications. I am almost 1 year post-op and have had no complications. But, everyone is different. Are you following your program and post-op instructions? If you experience pain, something unexpected, or out of the ordinary, then call your surgeon's office. Otherwise, you can practice letting go. Start with deep breathes and reciting the serenity prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Keep us posted on how you are doing. It is very common to struggle with emotions and feelings post-op. Out hormones are in flux due to the fat loss and we no longer have our favorite coping mechanism -- food. It is ok to seek help. Do you have a counselor or therapist? If not, see if the person who did your psych clearance can see you or refer you to someone to talk to. A good therapist can help you learn new, healthy ways to cope with stress, uncomfortable feelings, and anxiety. Have you talked with your PCP about your anxiety and depression? You may also want to find a good bariatric support group and/or a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). In addition, exercise, adequate nutrition, and good quality sleep will help you to feel better. A good book that you may find helpful is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. As to complications. They are just that, complications. I am almost 1 year post-op and have had no complications. But, everyone is different. Are you following your program and post-op instructions? If you experience pain, something unexpected, or out of the ordinary, then call your surgeon's office. Otherwise, you can practice letting go. Start with deep breathes and reciting the serenity prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Reset what? You aren't yet getting enough fluids. And it doesn't look like you are getting enough Protein. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Everyone stalls and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids every day. For me that means AT LEAST 100 grams of protein and 64 oz of Fluid, every day. Track your food. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods. Eat slowly and mindfully. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, stay off the scale! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Reset what? You aren't yet getting enough fluids. And it doesn't look like you are getting enough protein. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Everyone stalls and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids every day. For me that means AT LEAST 100 grams of protein and 64 oz of fluid, every day. Track your food. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods. Eat slowly and mindfully. Take your vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, stay off the scale! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Without more detail it is hard to give suggestions. Are you still following your program? What is your Protein target? Are you tracking your food? Are you getting in all of your protein every day? Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? Are you avoiding starches and added sugars? Are you avoiding fried foods? Are you avoiding carbonation? Are you avoiding alcohol? Are you eating slowly and mindfully? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you exercising? How much? How often? Have you talked to your NUT about your goals and your progress? Are your goals realistic? Just saying you wanted to lose X amount but ONLY list Y amount doesn't tell me anything. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

This would make a great stand-alone article: Training for C25K for the morbidly obese. This would make a great stand-alone article: Training for C25K for the morbidly obese.

This would make a great stand-alone article: Traibing for C25K for the morbidly obese. This would make a great stand-alone article: Traibing for C25K for the morbidly obese.

What surgery did you have? What kind of education did you go through? My surgeon's very first requirement was that I take an online course that explained, in detail, each of the major surgery options, how they are performed, risks and benefits, etc. I couldn't schedule any appointments until I had completed the course. What surgery did you have? What kind of education did you go through? My surgeon's very first requirement was that I take an online course that explained, in detail, each of the major surgery options, how they are performed, risks and benefits, etc. I couldn't schedule any appointments until I had completed the course.

What? What?

I didn't have a calorie "limit". I had/have a protein target (100 grams) and a liquid target (at least 64 oz.). I avoid starches and added sugars. I do not eat anything fried. Doing that keeps my calories in a good range. I didn't have a calorie "limit". I had/have a protein target (100 grams) and a liquid target (at least 64 oz.). I avoid starches and added sugars. I do not eat anything fried. Doing that keeps my calories in a good range.

Wow. I can't imagine. Especially with all of the fear around polio. That was before my time but I can't even imagine what kind of fear surrounded kids at that time. By the way, I really hope the control group eventually got the vaccine.

This image came to mind.