CanyonBaby

Oh, I KNOW!!! All those "artificial" dreams, always letting you down, never satisfying on any scale..... Where, oh where is the one who can satisfy ALL desires? So many are just...lacking, know what I mean?

@@BLERDgirl Lovin' the cucumber idea! I'm hoping to have tons of them in the garden this year! Thanks!

Who knows, maybe a tall drink of Water will come into your life; like a svelte, tail-swishing trout almondine, or a beefy, mouthwatering hunk of (dare I say it?) beefcake...NO, that's for ME!!! Yes, I can see a new "love" in your future, you sly devil!!!

It seems this time of year, when the rainy season is upon us, we maybe need to do a little something for ourselves when the "blues" hit us (and don't they just?!). It is a difficult time, coming fresh out of surgery, having such adjustments to make, it all seems so overwhelming. So might I suggest, especially for those who are at their wits' end - and who isn't there from time to time - that we take a little time to baby ourselves, treat ourselves a little more special than normal, maybe even SPOIL ourselves, just for a little while? I like to have a lot of hobbies ready to go; crocheting, cross-stitch kits, calligraphy pens ready to write....something to grab and DO instead of snack. I have TONS (no really, TONS) of books all over the place, ready to read. My pups' toys are right at the doorway, no excuse NOT to play! I'd like to hear about what people do to get their minds off of snacking, off of falling into a pool of self-pity. What do you do to pump yourself up, to go for that extra mile in your walk, how do you boost your morale so you can keep going with the program? There are so many newbies that are just about to discover just how difficult this whole process is, now that the surgery is over. Let's pool our resources and throw all we can into this list, so people can pull out an idea or two that will inspire them to go on....we all could use a new idea or two! Jump in, people!!!!

Sounds like it was made for me! How about putting it in a cored green (red, orange, yellow) pepper?! Im off to the grocery.....

I wouldn't worry so much the amount he is eating right now, everyone progresses at their own body's rate. As his tummy heals, he will be able to increase his food intake. I ate an awful lot of baby food at this point. There are lots of variety, and it is nice an portable. The prunes help keep us regular. It is NOT seasoned, so season it according to his taste. Then when he's done with that, you can donate the rest to a food bank. I loved instant grits at that stage. With melted cheese. Yum. Also, try refried Beans (fat-free) with melted cheese. I would puree barbequed chicken, and cottage cheese is nice with added seasonings (again, pureed). If he hasn't tried the sugar-free popsicles and fudgesicles, those are a nice treat. Also, all kinds of sugar-free puddings/custards. Puree some fruit to add to them. Good luck to you...

And try "Sit and Be Fit", it is on PBS here in Washington state, but you can get it on DVD, also. You just sit in a chair and "walk"! Among other exercises. Sit in a firm chair, and pretend you are walking, lifting up your knees. Do it for as long as you can, and keep doing it as often as you would if you COULD get up and walk! As for the Water and Protein, try the Water Enhancer drops with tepid water, not cold. You can also add it to unflavored protein water (mix unflavored Protein powder with water). You can adjust the flavor/sweetness level. Keep us posted! Good luck to you!

Ah, my FAVORITE verse!!!! Now I KNOW you'll do well! Keep us posted...you are watched over!

Just climbed back up the stairs with another 2 bags of clothes (did mention I have clothes from 20 years ago?!). We've done so much moving over the years, everything has been lost in storage....so a few treasures found, and an awful lot of stuff that doesn't fit! Fantastic Thursday, indeed! I am finding my BASEMENT!!!!!!!!

@@BLERDgirl If you DO want a little flavor, but no sweetener or colors, try using extracts (not the artificial ones). I like peppermint, lemon, orange, but there are also almond, rum, maple.....lots of flavors. I use a tootpick, dip it about an inch in the bottle, then swish it in the water bottle (with water, of course!). A little goes a long ways, so be careful!

I KNOW!!! I carried bags of old clothes up the stairs yesterday, certainly not weighing what I have lost, but MAN...how did I ever carry ME up those same stairs before the surgery?????????

Mine has been falling out for almost 2 months, now ( I am 5 months post-op). I figure I have lost about a third. I, too, have been religious on taking all required; protein, vitamins....but still the loss. It is now really slowing down, hopefully at the end of this. But it came out from all over the head, no one particular area. The most noticeable (and only I notice it) is around the temples. The gray is GONE there now! Not sure which is better, bald or gray?!!!!!

Same here, Thursday, but HEY! I'm in the mood for a fantastic Thursday AND Friday!!!! Yesterday I filled 8 - yes EIGHT garbage bags FULL of clothes that are TOOOOOOOO big, ready to go to goodwill! Goodbye horrible fat clothes....GOODBYE!!!

Can you talk with your dietician about this? They may have a great solution for you. I'm wondering if you're getting in enough food-wise to accommodate your activity level. Do you take B12? You may want to get that level checked. Also, have you had you thyroid checked? One of the big symptoms for hypothyroidism is lack of energy. Might want to check it out. Good luck to you!

You not only CAN do this, you ARE doing this! Keep that in the back of your mind!!!! Have a great day!

@@CowgirlJane And how any of us even thought about this part of it when we started this journey? Threw me for a loop, that's for sure. Totally unexpected. Some parts of my body are "normal" sized, now, but others (that are holding onto the fat for dear life!) keep me thinking that the whole process was a waste. Which I KNOW is not true, but is deviously sneaks it's way in there, and throws you off for the moment. Anyone relate to that?

Well, put it behind you, and start over. Isn't it great we CAN start over?! A new day, a new YOU!

I'd offer to be a pallbearer, but how do you lift a "hole"?! You're going to feel a "hole" lot better when this is all said and done!!!! PUN INTENDED!!!!!

@@KingMoose I'm having this feeing men in general aren't as nasty as women regarding this kind of stuff. But man, I'd hate to be around you guys during "Throat Punch Thursday"!!!!!

Ha Ha! Not doing them, either, My upper back can't do them. I am relying on my crocheting to keep my mind off the commercials, gives me an opportunity to see the stitches I've missed, and check the pattern. I end up not even noticing when they are on, then, but still get to watch the program. With the weather I have, most of the year, I do watch a lot of tv, but am trying to do more while I watch, so I am a little more productive.

@@VSGmary Let me know what you think! I see they also have them in Snack Crackers, too. Higher calorie rate, but larger portions size, also higher Protein amount! They also (in this brand) have other varieties (seeded), but I'm not comfortable eating small seeds, yet. Little concerned about the staple line and all that. Also, I have diverticulitis, so gotta watch the small seeds. The ones you found look good, too! Gotta have the CRUNCH! For frustration, if nothing else!!!!

Here's a hug for you.....Hug......

Will you have a dietician working with you after surgery? If so, make sure to ask about this. And ditto what all the folks above have said!

Take the opportunity to DO something when the commercials come on, get up, dance around, do dishes, feed the dogs, a quick (did I say quick? You have HOURS with commercials!!!) vacuum around the living room......the possibilities are endless! It's a good way to get a little exercise in, also! Drop and do a few push-ups, run around the house, (all of this AFTER you're cleared, of course!!!), pick up the hand weights....You get it!!!

And with your spirit, @@spiritfilled, you WILL get through this! No if's, WILL's!!! We all feel the same, we all want to help ourselves. I'm so glad you came here! Now, let the past be and STAY in the past, ONTO THE FUTURE!