Food and me

Well, I am finding this fill has made the world of difference but ya know, I am also finding disappointment growing... if I don't have a nice delish meal I am deeply disappointed because I really can't just have another (like I used to) to make the flavour sensation work it LOL

Mind you I have had moments where I wondered if my fill went on a holiday - dinner last night? I could have easily had seconds! At least now I feel more able to stick to my plate and bowl that I got from the surgery.

Also, 600 kj of anything I like (yes even potato crisps) is also great but I am being stingy - my partner and I shared a 45gm bag yesterday which ended up 100kj shy of my limit - what the hell can you have for 100 kj that's devils food? NOTHING! lol that was just one big tease! I had an extra juice box instead later but still...

So, I have just been reading someone's blog and how difficult it is to limit our food intake. I really do feel for other struggling with food so I think I have found an approach that works for me - wanted to share it without judgement (others should do what is best for them and I admire some of the approaches I read) with anyone who would like to consider this as an alternative approach - mind you this is all in conjunction with being honest with my dietician and taking her advice (without creative license :) So, this way isn't going to be as fast but I am on that road already and if you are careful, healthy and think this is ok - have a go! If not, I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking this is crazy! But I have seen results - I chose not to buy my devils food last shopping day because I just didn't feel like I wanted that much of it!

I know my weight loss hasn't been great and I say it's simply because I have been eating too much. Now, I did beat my self up black and blue about this until I spoke to my dietician (who rocks by the way) and she was saying - no!! be careful how you place 'blame' if you eat too much and you have a band, your fill simply isn't right - it will happen and don't stress. She told me if I need to eat more and as long as it doesn't hurt, doesn't make me sick or feel over full then I need to eat. She would rather I eat a snack than put more taboo onto food for myself or I will never get over my food issues.

She assured me my diet is good and after the two fills (during the op and post op) I see what she means. My fill isn't quiet there yet but as long as I listen to my body and belly and eat good healthy foods, I will continue to eat what amount I need - no point in beating myself up over my fill. I do eat much less now post port revision but I still have moments and I ask myself some questions before considering snacks...

• am I hungry or am I unsatisfied?
• I stand up and walk a bit around the house - does it feel tighter than usual? (if so I am physically full)
• Does my banded area feel sore (if so this is a sign for me that I am over full)
• was my meal good quality? if so can I afford a light snack?
• do I have hunger pains? (eg I just had soup 20 minutes ago and I have hunger pains so I am gonna have a snack)

I really admire those who can still 'diet' - to me it's just become the same word as 'food anxiety' which personally I can't afford to do any more :/

I know my weight loss may be slower for the patience of 'feeling full' and that while I eat for fullness I may be not seen as a dieter but really - I'm kind of ok with that now. Here is what I think about my own situation which my dietician and surgeon started :) Yep - the band is a tool - let it do it's part of the job - I will do mine:

• eat good healthy satisfying foods
• reduce fat and carbs without denying them to myself (because they are part of a healthy food regime in moderation)
• get off my bum - be active (this is my downfall right now!)
  
• respect the fill :) don't push it and learn to 'listen' to it
  

I know I am eating decent food and that I am addressing the taboo of foods (which you know just make you want it more) by actually having them in moderation under the watchful and supportive eye of my dietician. I am convinced that this is the healthier way for me mentally. Hopfully the food desires will come on board.. looking forward to craving watercress one day ..... (actually- don't mind watercress ;)

devilishly delishesly alowed ( 1 a day) snack!


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from: http://www.weightlossforfoodlovers.com/


"Traditional diets have a failure rate of more than 80%. Why? Because traditional diets focus on what we eat rather than why we eat - they require too much deprivation, too much self-discipline and normal people - 80% of people - give up.

We have a powerful psychological link to food - good food and drink is the most fun we can have in public - our mind does not give it up easily! If you try to lose weight without dealing with these feelings, you need too much self-discipline and you will fail."
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