Focusing on Health

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the many reasons we started this blog was to focus on our health.  In my opinion, we lost our parents too early in life.  Our "Granny" (our mother's mother) lived to be in her ripe ol' nineties and that is where I intend to be when my time is up on this earth.  Unfortunately, it became apparent this year that I had some health issues I needed to deal with if that was going to be possible.

At the end of this month I am having surgery to correct a hiatal hernia.  I've know for about two years that I had a hernia.  When I first found out I was having chest pains which made me think I was having a heart attack.  Not a fun feeling.  At the time I made a few life style changes and for the most part I haven't had too much trouble.

This past June I started having chest pains again.  Many things became painful ie. sleeping, eating, bending over etc.  After many visits to the doctor it became clear that I could no longer put off the surgery.  I feel like I'm in great care and the timing is right.  I've been on a semi-liquid diet for a little over a month now.  That will continue until a month after surgery.  I needed to lose weight anyway so it isn't that big of a deal.

The weird thing is . . . this whole experience has put into my mind that I have permission to take care of myself.  Hey, I have to if I'm going to live to be in my nineties right??  What a fundamental concept but for some reason I just didn't get it before. Like many women I tend to put other people's needs first.  You know I think this experience has probably extended my life. 

The whole living on mostly protein shakes and consuming less than 1,000 calories a day isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I don't recommend it to people and I'm only doing it because of doctor's orders but it has taught me some valuable lesson.

For my birthday I took the day off from the diet and gave myself permission to eat anything I wanted.  One of the biggest things I discovered is that most food smells better than it taste.  Popcorn smells so much better than it taste (at least to me.)  It has also made me really think about what is worth eating.  For example just any old chocolate isn't worth putting on pounds.  You know if I'm going to splurge on something it better be good.  The best thing I ate that day for me was some sticky toffee pudding.  Another thing I discovered in the last month has been my opinion on bread.  You know I really can live without it everyday.  That I didn't think was possible prior to this diet.

I'm not suggesting that my discoveries about food and myself will apply the same to everyone.  I guess what I wanted to share is that.....

#1 - You really are worth putting yourself first.
#2 - It is worth exploring yourself and discovering what works best for you.  It is your life and others can tell you what you should do but when it comes down to it - you are the only one who really knows what you will stick with.  My doctor wanted me to go down to less than 700 calories a day diet.  The nutritionist told me that was insane and said that he was there to get me through surgery.  She was there to get me through life.  My old self would have tried to please him.  My "new" self pushed back.  I knew I couldn't stick with 700 calories a day diet.  I negotiated for the same calories and upping my exercise.  I too am in this for the long haul.

I feel like I am still discovering.  Yes - I'm a little scared about surgery (okay a lot scared) and I'm also excited about what is next.

In case you are wondering (because I get asked a lot.)  This is the protein shake the doctor put me on.  It has 30 grams of protein and 5 grams of carbs.  I purchase a case of 18 at Costco for about $25.00.

Please don't go on a liquid diet without consulting your doctor.  It can be very dangerous to do something like that on your own.  As I said, it was doctor's orders for me.  He also gave me a pill I take twice a day to prevent gallstones.  I have 3 shakes a day, one small green salad a day and two servings of fruit.  I also take a ton of vitamins.  In 5 weeks I've lost 15lbs.  I have 4 more weeks to go for surgery.  You know I can't wait.  Not because of the diet but because I hope to feel so much better.
Kathleen