Slips, cheating and the like

[Socaldixiegal]

Was thinking about this the other night and just wanted to share my thoughts. I read a lot of posts (and have made some myself) about folks slipping into poor eating habits, making the occasional poor choice and being afraid that they've "ruined" their surgery. Not to mention those "5-day X" programs and the like.

I think we've all become so conditioned to the temporariness of "dieting" that it's difficult to wrap our heads around the true lifestyle difference of this surgery. We're so used to doing everything for the short term. Putting timeframes on things and assuming that there's a "done" point. That's just not the case here. Sure, we all want to be at our goal tomorrow if not today, but once we get there we still have to maintain.

Previously when "dieting" an indulgence day would blow up into us giving up and returning to old habits. While it's possible to do that now, we have to break the cycle. Stop thinking in terms of being "on" versus "off". I think of my skinny healthy friends who may choose something fat/calorie laden, eat it, enjoy it then go back to eating healthy 80 - 90% of the time. I know with me previously I'd keep on eating that crap the 80 - 90% of the time. Instead of occasional indulgence it was all the time.

I don't know what the solution is, but I know changes have to be permanent and I have to focus on the healthy 80 - 90% and not jump on any temporarily "diet" bandwagon. I figure that's what got me to pre-surgery weight so I can't keep with that same mentality.

Sorry for the ramble, but just wanted to get these thoughts out of my head!

[Kazoogirl]

Well said! Thank you!

[wannabhealthy50]

Love your post!

[Its_Me]

Well said!

[Truffles]

I think of my skinny healthy friends who may choose something fat/calorie laden, eat it, enjoy it then go back to eating healthy 80 - 90% of the time.

This is what I strive to emulate.

I have found that so much of my journey has been mental. I am trying (with success, I think) to change my thought process regarding lifestyle. I'm taking things very slowly and tackling one hurdle at a time.

In the past, I would have limited success with diet and exercise but I would burn out, stop, and regain. This time, my approach is completely different.

[MrsB0324]

Thank you! Your thoughts were well worth the read and much needed food for thought!

[Lucy61]

So very well said - our mindset has been so on/off and I always hated the term normal people eating normal foods, but we need to allow ourselves that luxury now, we are more on the normal side of life. I mentally keep my portions in the forefront of what I consume, but I don't beat myself up so much for what I consume when I enjoy a treat... I just keep it in moderation and it is a one time thing... not daily trips to DQ, but maybe once a month - then I only have about 1/4 cup of a blizzard and it is heaven and I enjoy it, but it's in moderation and I go on with my daily foods of 80% protein & 20% carb/veg.

[GA400]

Words of wisdom! This is a permanent, irreversible physical change, it is up to us make it a permanent MENTAL change, but we can!

And I know that you are also traveling for work quite a bit, and still making healthy choices and making it work day by day.

[Think]

Very well written, and sleeved or not sleeved, very sensible words to live by!

[Smcneiland]

I needed to hear this. Thank you. I'm currently in pain for eating the wrong thing. Pizza to be exact. Just a slice but it wasn't worth it. Wasn't worth what I feel physically or emotionally. I'm only supposed to be eating soft solids right now so of course I'm in pain. I'm feeling really low right now and wondering if I can do this.

[Kait]

Hi Smcneiland, just saw your post and wanted to offer some words of encouragement; I myself have not had my sleeve done yet but have been on diets since my teenage years, constantly gaining and loosing 50 lbs or so I can totally relate to your feelings of regret, but don't worry, everyone is going to have days where they make a less than perfect food choice, and thats okay! Getting a gastric sleeve is not going to make us automatically 100% clean eaters, we are human I think if you just take this experience of eating pizza and how it made you feel and learn from it for the future you will have great success. You can do it, and whenever you need support all of us here in this online gastric sleeve community will be here to celebrate your successes with you and encourage you when you're having a hard day. Keep your chin up!

[Smcneiland]

Thank you so much, Kait. I think my most difficult journey will be the mental one. I still "want" all the bad foods, but deep down, I don't. I've trained myself to believe the bad foods are my comfort when I know that is crazy. I was miserable yesterday. The pain was so intense. People, don't do it. Today, I started with a scrambled egg. Allowed food and not in pain!

[Lea]

Excellent post! Agreed

[tinman]

Ok....I agree with the OP, but I have a different slant. Part of the reason I never could successfully diet was because I always felt deprived. Now, I am only speaking for myself. I would always eventually fall off of the diet and gain back what I lost. With the sleeve, I can diet when I want to and eat what I want when I want to.

Now, here's the part that needs to stick in everyone's mind. If you are going to subscribe to this theory, they you must also subscribe to the portion control part. Without portion control, the other won't work. I've met folks who have gained back some of their weight after sleeving. They just forced it in. I JUST PLAIN REFUSE TO FALL INTO THAT TRAP.

However, I plan on living another 30-40 years and cannot do that happily unless I have the occasional hot fudge sundae or PBJ. Now, though, I have a couple of spoons of sundae or a half a sandwich and I get the same satisfaction.

The only thing I cannot tolerate is carbonation. So be it.

So, please understand that your urges will not go away because of the surgery. Give in every once in a while and enjoy a few bites. I do and I am much happier because of it.

OH....I've lost 210 lbs since 8/23/2102. And, I'm still losing. Lost ten pounds in June.

[Truffles]

Tinman, I have a big ol' grin plastered to my face. It's so nice to "see" you succeed.