Follow up to last night's post (bariatric surgery)

[thistlechaser]

Unfortunately my math last night was wrong. It's simple math, so I blame stress. I thought I had to lose a pound a week for the eight weeks to meet the minimum number he wants me to lose, but 10 pounds in 8 weeks isn't one per week. Also, I can't aim for the low end of the 10-15 scale, just in case of water weight or aliens landing in my stomach or whatever. I really need to lose two pounds per week most weeks, two weeks can be one pound.

That sounds a whole lot less possible.

Things I decided in the last 24 hours:

- Cancel Graze. Even their low calorie snacks are too much. I was going to have to do it eventually, so this one doesn't bother me too much.

- Delete all my food blog bookmarks. This one is harder. I love looking at 'food porn' and all the newest fast food products coming out, but I strongly suspect that seeing it makes me want it, and I have to cut fast food 100% out (not even the grilled chicken sandwiches I used to eat).

- Pickles are a good snack. One serving (6 chips) have 10 calories. For some reason they were oddly satisfying last night. (But they're high in sodium, so need to not have them around weigh-in days.)

- I have a minor "cheat" in my bag -- I still have my diuretic (prescription) pills. I don't think they'll count for much weight, but every little bit might matter. (Edit: Official weigh-in days, with the doctor, not checks I do at home.)

I wish I liked vegetables. They'd make this somewhat easier. Maybe eventually I'll get so hungry they'll look good.

So hungry already. I broke my breakfast up into thirds instead of half, so I can eat it more often and hopefully prevent snacking at work.

But, even as impossible as this feels, at least I feel better than last night.

Comments

[adam-0oo.livejournal.com]

Rough stuff! That is a lot of pressure...veggies with hummus dip? That way you barely taste the veggies.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I've never tried hummus, but google tells me it's low in calories, so I might need to try it.

[elfy.livejournal.com]

Do you dislike all veggies in general? Nothing there that appeals to you? Cucumbers, carrots and pepper bells make great snacks, small tomatoes as well ... if you like nothing of all this it is indeed getting hard to have something to snack ... :-o
Does it maybe help to steam them? Is it more of a psychological thing that you don't like them? Because the taste and texture is very different in different veggies ...

Also, do you like liquorice? If yes, maybe you could pick up some, err ... liquorice-wood? I'm not sure what it's called in english. We have this here (though, you have to look for it), it's really wood that you can chew, which tastes like liquorice (it's what liquorice is made from).

Ah, I'm sorry, I don't want to give a bunch of advice, I am sure you know best what you like and can eat and what not. And you probably heard enough tips already ... Personally I have a hard time restricting myself as well :-/ I found smartphone apps quite interesting, where you can enter what you eat and they tell you the calories and stuff (fatsecret for example).

*hugs* wishing you much strengh for this!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the ideas! I've found some fruits that will be reasonable snacks (peaches, oranges, a cup of strawberries or watermelon, all 30-60 calories). I've just not eaten vegetables all my life, so I guess I never got used to them. Cooked or raw, the texture just puts me off. :/

Liquorice-wood sounds interesting! I had to google it, I don't think we have it around here.

Thank you! *hugs*

[elfy.livejournal.com]

Okay, I have to admit, I'm a little shocked at the "not eaten vegetables all my life" thing :-o NOT because I think that is your fault or whatever, quite the contrary, I more or less feel that whatever was the reason robbed you of a whole delicious world!
Daaamn, I really wish there wasn't an ocean that divides us, I would totally cook and prepare for you whatever I can come up with for you to try and find out if there isn't something you like!
If you *want* to have some more veggie-suggestions, I will give them *hugs hugs hugs*, but I don't want to bother you with it just so.

If you do in fact like liquorice (I hate it :D), I could get you soom of the wood in a shop here and send it over. I just guess it would take a few weeks to arrive (it doesn't go bad in this time). You'd just have to give me your adress.
http://www.pennherb.com/sweet-wood-root-sticks-6-237w1 that seems to be a shop in the US that sells them.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was a really picky child and my parents didn't force the issue (not really their fault either, they had lots of bigger problems to deal with), so I just never learned to like them. I know some people really like vegetables, so I do sometimes feel like I'm missing out.

Thanks, but I don't like liquorice much. I don't mind the red kind, since it's sweetened and cherry-flavored, but the natural kind not so much.

<3

[elfy.livejournal.com]

I'm really curious: What *do* you like to eat?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

All sorts of forms of chicken (fried versions best), Peanut butter, popcorn, pizza. Basically I eat like a six year old, which while funny, isn't very healthy or useful.

[elfy.livejournal.com]

Heh, don't worry, I can relate ;)
I always point out to people (when they start wondering why I won't take a beer), that I don't drink alcoloh (don't like the taste) and don't smoke and don't drink coffee ... but that *if* I have some addiction it's sweet things. So, give me something sweet to eat and I'm happy, lol. My mom also very early gave me money to buy what I wanted to eat and rarely had time or energy to cook, so we often ate readymade meals and I still love them today.
Still, wishing you the best for the coming weeks!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Luckily I'm with you: I don't drink, smoke, drink coffee/tea, do drugs, any of that. My issue is "just" food, thankfully!

I'm with you on the frozen meals, too. They're still a crutch for me.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Good luck to you! *hugs* Stressing makes losing weight even harder, so it is good that you are feeling better about this.

For breakfast, have you tried grits? http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/grits/instant-grits-plain.aspx One packet of their original is 100 calories, and it is surprisingly filling. The flavor is very mild, so you probably would not find it too objectionable. Oatmeal is good too, but I find grits easier to eat because it has a bit more savory/salty flavor.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I've never tried grits, but I'd be willing to! Thanks for the suggestion. :)

[wow-hazmat.livejournal.com]

Oh, seconding the grits! I've tried instant grits fairly recently (make 'em just like oatmeal) and agree on the mild flavor. The hardest part is making sure I don't put in too much water. :)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'm going to look for them when I go shopping tomorrow!

[diello.livejournal.com]

What about fruits? Probably minimal, right? I'd suggest cutting up one or two strawberries or grapes and toss them with any veggies (they go great in salads). Are there any veggies you do like? Try all kinds of lettuces, all the veggies, and when you find what you like best (or hate the least), you can make a killer salad. And if you can add fruit, it spices up the otherwise boring taste (also spices spice things up, like pepper and lemon pepper - make sure they're low sodium). I do romaine salads loaded with plum/grape tomatoes, mushrooms, olives (though they are sodium-y too), cucumbers, and spray it down with a shot of lemon juice. See what you can do as far as cooking them goes, too, because grilled veggies are infinitely better than raw.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Fruits I do like, thankfully. No scurvy for me! :P I'm going to have to start trying more veggies and hope for the best. I'm already hungry enough to try, and I'm only a few hours in. Heh.

[diello.livejournal.com]

Mix veggies with fruits, or strangle their life-essence onto the veggies. Instant freggies.

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

I caught myself before spewing some more unsolicited but well-meaning advice. But I don't want to be pushy or concern-trolling.

So instead I'll just say "Good luck!" If you are willing to consider a low-carb approach, I can give lots of help and advice. I wish you good luck no matter what your approach.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know it is well-meant and I am glad it worked for you, but I don't need any more info on it. :)

I will take the good luck wishes though!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Hopefully I'll find that quickly. :)

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Aw, good luck. Losing weight is tough. And don't forget the output end of the equation - walk, swim, do whatever you can to burn more calories.

I drink a lot of unsweetened tea (hot, flavored or herbal) and very lightly sweetened ice tea (not as much of it) to give my mouth the feel of something tasty without adding calories. At this very moment, I'm drinking the Kroger store brand ("Private Selection") Sweet Cinnamon Spice - mmm!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Sweet Cinnamon Spice sounds great! Right now I'm using Crystal Light to trick my mouth into thinking it's getting something sweet. So far it's working, but I need to get more flavors tomorrow.

[wow-hazmat.livejournal.com]

Oh, something that's helped me that might help you. Buy one of those little bottles of lime juice and add it to ice water. This works for me because I really don't like the taste of plain water, but having cut-up lemons or limes at home isn't exactly convenient (they always go bad before I use all the slices).

It's not sweet, but it's also not super-sour like limeade would be (also no sugar). Better than plain water, though.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the idea! I don't mind water, though it does often get kind of old. I'll try that!

[teaandfailure.livejournal.com]

I am trying to think of veggies that are delicious instead of meh, and my best recommendation is if you have not ever tried zucchini with parmesan cheese, it is pretty rad.

I like to get a zucchini, cut it into spears (about the size of pickle spears), dip them in egg (or egg whites, for lower cal), and then mix about 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese (low cal for cheese) with like, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Shake it all up, roll the eggy zucchini spears in the cheese/seasoning, roast in the oven at 350 until the parm starts to look like a hard golden coating.

There is also a good way to mash cauliflower that makes it taste like mashed potatoes, but it is not good reheated. It is delicious fresh, but smells like feet refrigerated. I substitute almond milk for the coconut milk for lower kcal, and I use a hand blender instead of transferring it all to a food processor because I am lazy and who needs all those steps? I also sometimes skip the chives and just do pepper.

Ingredients:
1 bag (16 ounces) frozen cauliflower florets
1 garlic clove, crushed (about 1 teaspoon)
1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut milk
salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons dried chopped chives

Directions:

1. Cook the cauliflower according to the package directions until it’s very soft, but not waterlogged.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, heat the garlic, coconut oil, coconut milk, salt, and pepper, about 1 minute.

3. Meanwhile, purée the cauliflower in the bowl of a food processor, scraping down the sides. Add the coconut milk to the processor, along with 1 tablespoon of chives. Process about 10 seconds. Taste and adjust seasonings. Sprinkle with remaining chives before serving.

Another veggie I recommend is toasted seaweed - the texture is crispy like a potato chip.

It is hard with not liking veggies, but I understand texture issues COMPLETELY. If it ain't happening, it ain't. I know it seems like a lot of weight to lose (and I feel like it's shitty of them to require to lose it so quickly, I mean COME ON GUYS what the HELL.)

Nonetheless: I BELIEVE IN YOU, SAILOR MOON.

Also I second all the opinions that hummus is delicious, just check to make sure it's not one of the brands that uses a metric asston of oil. Wild Garden is a good low cal brand, and Trader Joe's has an awesome tomato basil one, and also an awesome horseradish one if you like spice (but it is HELLA spicy).

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Would you believe I tried the mashed cauliflower a while back? Came out really bad, nothing like potato at all. Tended up tossing it out. :/

I love tomato basil flavor. I might have to make a trip to Trader Joe this morning!

Nonetheless: I BELIEVE IN YOU, SAILOR MOON.

Thank yooouuuu!

[teaandfailure.livejournal.com]

I totally believe it! I've had some batches that were nasty and some that were just like mashed potato. But, I definitely understand not wanting to throw out a million batches to get the good ones. And it really does smell like feet when cooled. I wish I could come out there and cook stuff for you to try, then if it wasn't for you, I could eat it! It sucks to make a huge batch of something and then realize it just isn't your thing.

Trader Joe's is almost ALWAYS the solution. The tomato basil hummus is really low cal, I think like 35 kcal for two tbsp, which is always enough for my sugar snap peas.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'd totally try anything you cooked! And your belief came through! I know it's not real and it was silly to even do it, but I weighed myself tonight. The scale claims I lost two pounds in 24 hours. I know it's totally water weight, but still, makes me feel a lot better about this.

So totally going to Trader Joe's this weekend. Mmm

[bacchuslives.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky in that substituting a protein shake for one or two meals a day doesn't bother me and I like them... I'm partial to the Special K brand...

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation on brand! Post-surgery, I'm going to be drinking them for weeks...

Right now one of my big issues is hunger, so I'm going to stick with food (and water, all the water).

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

Glad you are feeling a bit better than the last post.

I would try to force the veggies down if you can, they really do help as most are low calorie so you can eat lots and feel fuller than with other foods.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I am. :)