You know, I had a thought this morning - scary but true! I have been closely monitoring this new fill of mine along the lines of - am I really hungry, how much can I eat before I'm sated? etc etc.... and I suddenly had an epiphany. Well, it was brought on by reading someone else's blog but I am going claim it as my own.... the birth of a light-bulb moment.
Right now, where I am with this band of mine is that I'm still a little hungry. It seems to have nipped most of it in the bud but not all. Yesterday - damn I was thinking about food ALL day... today, not so much (mind you, it's still early) but I seem to be more in the zone. It's 9.30am and I'm not in the least hungry. BUT... I know it will come. So, to the light bulb moment. Why aren't I eating small, regular meals? I have found since this last fill, I do get full fairly quickly. I have a small amount of food and it's doing it's job. Yay for that!! But I also seem to empty fairly quickly - like in about 2 hours or so, then I am hungry again.
SO......this leaves me to believe that if I have 6 small, nutritious snacks and/or meals I should be able to bump myself through the day feeling a measure of fullness. That's the theory anyway. Hmmm.. wonder why it took me so long to figure this out? - especially since I have read on many, many blogs about people doing the mini-meal thing. Maybe I'm a slow learner? Or maybe it just wasn't right for me at the time. I do know I still battle with the 'less food is better' mentality. which I now know isn't true. Our bodies just hang onto that blubber for all its worth. Anyway, I am going to try this for the next few days as I want to give this latest tweak fill a real go. If in a week or two it's still not right, then I will book an appointment but I should at least give it an honest chance. I am so close to losing this 30 kilos down I can taste it.. but it's just out of my grasp. Maybe shaking things up this way will help me get that 1+ kilos off to reach the target. Here's hoping!!!
On to other things. When life takes off in different directions it can leave your head spinning. MOTH (Man of the House) spurred on by my getting out there and doing things has also now signed up for a training course. He's doing Occupational Health and Safety. Trouble is, his course starts one day before mine. Now comes the big question. What do to about Riley? He starts school on the 2nd of Feb - the same day as my course starts (Jake just walks down the road to school - and being 13, he can sort himself into the new class... Mason is training it and bussing it to TAFE in Mandurah.. so they are pretty much sorted.) and now MOTH will unable to get Riles to class for the start of the new school year. Looks like we might be relying on MIL to come up and help with some running around. I hope she's free and doesn't mind. EEK! So much going on now and its kind of doing my head in lol.
I have another problem also... but it seems like it just may be fixable. I was (or still am) dealing with a hefty dose of guilt. For the longest time, my BF and I planned on studying and then working together. We have made loads of plans over the years. Only trouble is.. even though just last week we discussed the fact I was ready, willing and able to start getting back out there and was about to undertake a lot of research to decide on the best place to get my Cert III , she was still umming and ahhing about whether she was ready.
Me getting this funding to help pay for the course and actually securing a place happened so fast it took my breath away. Even today - when I think back - I was still in research mode - I had no idea things would happen so quickly - especially since I hadn't had a chance to say to her if we are going to still do it together, this is what we need to do. I was still sounding things out myself but you visit one place and have to make a decision, then the same with another and it kind of snowballed. I honestly thought it would be weeks and weeks before I heard about both and typically, just as this all happens, she is away with her family for a few days.
She did hear about me getting the spot and when I spoke to her via mobile last night, I got the feeling she was unhappy with me. My friend is quite an indecisive person at the best of times and coupled with the fact she isn't keen on the icky side of the carers work - the toileting and showering bit.. BUT seemed quite happy to do shopping, cleaning, etc etc for the client, I wasn't sure she was prepared just yet to take that final step. I told her how fast things moved when it came time for me to undertake this but I'm not sure she was convinced. Even to my own ears they sounded like excuses but the honest truth is, it wasn't. Everything I told her (about how I was only looking into it, had picked a date to start but still wasn't sure I would get in on that particular course run etc) was the truth and now I'm in a bit of a pickle.
I did say to her that I would move heaven and earth to help her get in the same course time as me and if she was serious about us still doing it together then I had done the hard work by paving the way because now I know exactly what needs doing to get her funding and a spot in the course. I guess it boils down to how serious she really is because even when I explained the ins and outs of what needed doing (traveling time, how long the course goes for, and whats involved) she was coming back at me with shocked expressions. It's a long way to travel, the times are all wrong (with schooling etc) and so on. I would think if she's serious she will make it work.. that's what it's all about. It's not going to be easy - no way - but it's sortable. And if it's not, then we make it so. I will let you know how things go. I will be seeing her tonight and will get an answer one way or another from her. Wish me luck.
Cara xxx
Just my little opionion as follows - I think it would be very difficult to do a course and work with a friend - it can get icky.
ReplyDeleteAs she said you both have different commitments at different times and the level of motivation is different. I think it is probably for the best for you to tackle this on your own.
If she really wants to make it happen she will be moving heaven and earth to prove her commitment.
Check out my blog in a little while - you will see a familiar dress hehehe thanks again
Good idea on the food thing. I will give it a try as well.
ReplyDeleteAs far as your friend goes. I think you are right..if she is serious she will sort it out. If she isn't you can help her along after you.
I feel for you over the getting your kids sorted before your class starts...I hope your MIL is agreeable.
Tina
I was watching a public access television show about relationships and friendship and the psychologist explained that friendship is an 'uneasy' push/ pull type of thing where friends might be happy for each other-- but might feel envious and desirous too.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those situations where something great happened to you that your friend also desired-- the best thing you could do is understand that she might be a bit envious and accept that BUT do not let her rain on your parade. This is YOUR day and your time to go and do the course. Guilt is non-productive and I say humbug to it. Acknowledge to your friend that you're sorry that the plans didn't wind up as you'd both hoped, but also tell her that you HOPE that she will try to have some happiness for you in your good fortune. A true friend would be able to handle both complex feelings (envy and joy for the friend.)
Hope this makes sense... don't let the guilt get you down!!
Small meals during the day - that is the ticket Cara. If you have a 1-ounce piece of cheese, that counts as a meal. 1/2 cup of chicken - that's a meal. But do this 5-6 times during the day and you'll probably be sated as far as hunger goes. That is exactly what I did during the weight loss phase. Some almonds, counts as a meal. A piece or two of bacon, counts as a meal. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI am a true believer that when we are given something instead of working for it, they start believing the world owes them something. Do not let her to shift your own focus away from your dreams. You have much to be proud of!
ReplyDeleteI like the several small meals idea. I feel like I am getting more hungry, and was distressed yesterday when I ate more than usual. My surgeon recommends 3 meals plus one protein snack, but that did not do the job for me yesterday.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how this eating plan goes!
And ditto what Vanessa said about the friend.
I echo what others have said. Small meals sound great and your friend sounds indecisive. I have a friend who is always saying some day she'll do this or that. She and I both know it's never going to happen because she just doesn't have the ambition to do it. You shouldn't put your life on hold while she decides whether or not she's motivated. You do what's best for you and your family. If your friend wants in, she knows she has your support and that's good enough. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI like the small meals idea... and as for the friend, if she is really a great friend, she'll support you moving forward - AND she'll honestly decide whether or not she wants to do it, and if she does will get off her ass and start moving! You've done what you can - her job to do the rest now! Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the small meals, in fact my Dr told me to start doing this, he suggested 6 mini meals, and told me to make sure each one had a protein in it. Good luck on your training and moving forward....this band helps us to put ourselves 1st, and I know for me I have struggled with that at times because I am so used to putting everyone else in front of me...but we need to take care of ourselves. And that is what your doing! So great job!
ReplyDeleteI think the mini-meal idea is good but I am so lazy when it comes to meals/food/cooking as I have just lost interest.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how it works for you!
Cara,
ReplyDeleteI do mini-meals, and I think it really maximizes the efficacy of my band.
You are a good friend to worry so much about your BF. She'll come around.
Lara
Even though lapband rules say only 3 meals a day, my Dr.'s have always said it's OK to do mini meals or high protein snacks - that flexibility has helped me during low restriction times. I still need a snack now at good restriction.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your friend, but if you've decided it's a good choice for you you should do it.
Have a great weekend sweets!
In response to your question on my blog:
ReplyDeleteI never could, and still can't, eat a whole banana. 1/2 of a banana would be a meal for me. I keep my food intake at any given time to around 1/2 cup - I know that's all my stomach will hold. If I eat more than that, or if I drink more than that, it's a train wreck looking for a place to happen.
I also found that if I ate fruits I tended to get hungry quicker, but protein meals stick with me better.
But anytime you eat something, consider it a meal. Its okay to eat several times a day just in very small portions. Of course that means you have to really plan ahead and take your foods with you - nuts are great take-along foods. If you have an insulated tote, cheese cut into pre-portioned pieces is also great. Yogurt, another great meal. Sometimes I just rolled up a piece of lunch meat and a slice of cheese together - most of the time I could not eat an entire "roll-up" so you have to be prepared to stop and throw away what you can't eat.
Hope this helps!
Sally