Meet Ellen - my Nutritional Nightmare

Hello all.  The realization of this process is sinking in and I can't say enough how supportive some people have been.  A lot of first reactions were, "Um...work out and eat better....you don't need surgery."  Those people avoided a punch in the face because I, too, doubted whether or not this was needed....or if I was just being lazy.  Well, I'm not.  I want to eat healthier....I want to be active....and I want this body of mine to cooperate.  The surgery is not only an option that takes some balls...but its not EASY work...its actually more work than just dieting...because you have to diet AND exercise AND go through the surgery.  Anyway.....the support I've had in the past few weeks has been wonderful and I really appreciate all the kind words and notes of encouragement.

The nutrition section of the presentation yesterday is probably the most daunting.  We met with the nutritionist, Ellen.  At first I wrote a note in my notebook that said, "Why do all nutritionists have to look so bitchy..." but as soon as she opened her mouth to start giving information, I fell in love.  She's sweet, funny and she's been doing this long enough so she knows every trick and trade.  (Including the ones she will catch us doing if we try to cheat.)

So no surprise, I have to keep a food diary.  She said it was fine if we used some sort of electronic program.  I've used SO many of these in the past....I'm still not sure which one I want to fully commit to.  If anyone has any that have especially worked for them let me know.  I know Myfitnesspal as I've used it in the past but since its been awhile...I wonder if any new and improved ones have rolled out.

So a few things that the nutritionist started with.  First of all...(like I stated before) we are going to have to keep a fitness and food log.  This program will do the calorie counting for me which I am so grateful for.  I hate calorie counting manually.  The goal is for us to improve our nutritional health.  This means eating 3 times (at least) a day...with two of them being during busy times of my day and one of them at dinner which should be more relaxed and have LESS calories than the other two meals.  I need to identify my eating behavior problems (I wanted to say...yeah good luck with that...I've been in therapy for this for years.)  And of course I need to eat a balanced diets.  More veggies.  More salad.  Less whites.  Less carbs except the healthy ones.  Lean proteins.  You know...what I've been told my whole life.

Then there is the dreaded exercise.  The minimum is 150 minutes a week.  Of cardio.  shoot me now.  This summer I may have been more excited about this...because I love to walk.  But I really hate the weather.  Cold yuckiness.  Bitch Moan Bitch.   The goal is for me to lose at least 5 percent of my body weight before my surgery.  This means...I have to lose 15 pounds basically in 6 months.  I can do that...right? 

Life after surgery is the most scary.  I know that a person can get used to anything...esp when they change their behavioral problems with eating.  But this scares the shit out of me.  So for the first few weeks I will only be able to eat/drink clear liquids.  Jello/Broth/Crystal Light.  The two weeks or so after that I will switch to other liquids like proteins smoothies and light things like that....but higher protein.  After that the next two weeks will be pureed foods (think squash soup or sweet potato puree...or fruit puree)  After that I will gradually switch to solid foods.  Then with those foods I have to eat a LOT slower, chew my food a LOT more and stop eating when I'm full (if not I'll puke it all up).

I will be taking supplements for the rest of my life.  So I'll be pill popping :)  Vitamin A, Calcium with Vitamin D, B12 and B complex, and probably an iron.  After the surgery, exercise is a must to keep your muscles from being eaten away from the lack of calories.  Doesn't that all sound wonderful?  I'm completely overwhelmed.  But I'm moving forward....