DISCLAIMER: This is only an "Annie" system; can't say it will work for anyone else.
I have gone from 240 lbs to 134 lbs (as of this morning). And all my comorbidities are gone, my health is way better than since I was in my 40's, and life is good again.
Hope it helps someone else or at least makes you laugh this morning! Without this community, I would not have come so far on the journey!
---------------------------TWO YEARS OUT FROM SLEEVE:
Annie Green
Before surgery: 240 lbs, 17 daily meds, chronic debilitating angina & multiple comorbid issues, major depression. I was only 50.
Two Years Out: 134 lbs, 4 daily meds, almost no angina ever, no chronic comorbidities, well controlled MDD & GAD. I am 67 now.
WHAT WORKS FOR ME NOW:
How to eat: 1) teacup/saucer size plate; 2) bites the size of one nickel; 3) put down the fork & turn loose of it; 4) sit on your hands, lol; 5) Chew x 20 & swallow; 6) wait 30 seconds and ask how my sleeve feels (i.e., pressure, burping, impending feeling of dreaded toad froth). Then it's time for another bite. Yes, it sounds tedious, but it becomes a habit!
Water: Water is my friend; water provides the ability for brain synapses to fire reliably; water helps my old lady skin to stay smooth and soft; water keeps “the food moving” & my breath sweet. Water costs way less than any other beverage.
Protein: Rebuilds my tissue, keeps my hair growing, and fuels me for a long time; it does not have to be chicken, fish, seafood or beef. It can be a protein bar (used good judgment here) or it can be a protein shake added into my coffee or something else I'm having. Recheck with your doctor when you have a question about how much you are having in a day.
Bread/Crackers/Biscuits/Pasta & Other Tasty White Food: Never forbidden, but CAUTION*CAUTION*CAUTION
The primary purpose of these foods is to transport other food! I've learned a reasonable (1 tsp – 2 tsp) of whatever I was going to “tote” with these foods, may very well satisfy the “head” need to have them.
Yes, you can use a vegetable like sliced carrot, or cauliflower, etc. I will not eat celery. I find it gross. And high in salt.
Plan: If you are going to rely on salads, or sliced vegetables as part of your good health plan, prepare them. Invest in good storage containers. Bake several chicken breasts & freeze them in the portions you need. Learn to plan a grocery deli run to be sure you have sliced, sugar-free, low processed things like turkey breast, or chicken breast if you do not like to or have to time to use the toaster oven.
Sugar: Sugar is NOT my friend anymore. One cookie is a myth in my life. BUT I have had a 5 cookie day. Yes I tracked it. Yes I got “dump syndrome”. Yes I thought I could dance like a Michael Jackson “Thriller” video. And yes I felt “hungover” and crashed. But I will still have a cookie – okay, maybe a bite.
Alcohol: Never been a huge draw for me, but will sip over 3 hours a glass of wine (spacing in healthy eating) when we are out with friends or family. But usually water is so much better.
Sleep: I really struggle with enough sleep. I think that's a part of aging, maybe. But I've always been up between 4-6 am, and generally back to bed (at least to read) by 8:30 pm. Unless our family is visiting, or we are visiting them. But they don't mind if I bow out early.
Tracking: I track my weight daily. I genuinely have accepted that it's going to be a surprising number every day as it perversely goes up and down with water, hormones, salt, sleep (or lack of sleep), as well as the quality & quantity of food. I have a “drop dead” number where I review my calories/habits and then adjust if I am too far down (yeppers that's a thing post-sleeve) or too far over where I'm comfortable.)
Mediation/Grooming/Attitude: We are all different. Somewhere in my mind existed a mythical “Annie” who just woke up as a natural beauty. As I've aged, my face has shifted to a countenance, which reflects my health, my spiritual life (meditation/attitude), my posture (hmm exercise) and my grooming. No one decides those things for me. Who I present to the world has become more authentic in terms of outward-bound qualities; make up has minimized, and hair will always be a work in process. Posture has become a focus (Sophia Loren says she never walks like an old lady even if she hurts somewhere.)
SO – Love where I've come, looking forward to where I go from here with each of you!
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