Fitting it all in!
Once people (myself included) figure out that weight-loss surgery is just a tool, then a ton of practical questions come flooding out, most of which revolve around - how can I do this? How can I fit everything in? How can I fit in the protein, exercise, work, taking care of my family, doctor appointments? I can’t do this!
Just before surgery, people ask me, “Chiara, HOW AM I GOING TO FIT IT ALL IN”? I calmly reply, “You aren’t. Or at least not right away. ”
I didn’t for a while, but eventually it works out. I wish someone had told me that. I was so filled with anxiety, trying to get everything in and failing. Eventually I just stopped getting upset about it and simply did the very best I could.
Water: However, if I am honest, I didn’t get all 64 oz. of water into my body on a regular basis for at least four (4) months. I tried every day and did my best every day; however some days, I just couldn’t force down all of the water which was recommended. I did, however, always make sure that I was progressing in the right direction.
Protein: Same thing with protein, it was six (6) months before I consistently day in and day out was able to get in 60g of protein. The protein at first gave me horrid heartburn, so I had to experiment with different types of protein that I could tolerate. The first few months after surgery include a lot of experimentation, on what works and what doesn’t. My taste buds had changed and I had no idea how a little bit of food (I mean ridiculously small amounts) would affect my body.
Work: I was lucky, when I had the surgery, I worked from home. So I was able to return to work quickly. I could do this because if I needed to, at lunch I could lay down for an hour. I didn’t have a commute, so I always came to work fresh of energy. I also had my own kitchen with everything I needed right down the hall. This was a huge advantage. I didn’t have to plan my food and pack it and try to get everything in at work and then have something not be tolerated and need to leave work for a bit. I could do all of that in the privacy of my own home, usually while I returned emails and listened on conference calls. Not everyone will be as lucky as I was, so it’s important to plan appropriate time off from work.
Exercise: Then came exercise, which I struggled with for about nine (9) months. I had the added excuse that my husband’s cancer came back about six weeks after my surgery, so I had to take care of him through another round of chemo, and a rare lung infection during the first 6 months after my surgery.
How to fit it all in?
Once exercise came back into my life after surgery, I needed to figure out how to work, take care of my family, and work out. For me, I always needed a race to train for. If I had a race then I would have to train, if I had to train I would have to work out. I needed to keep it simple. Plus I have this wonderful disorder called “race sign-up disease.”I love to sign up for races! But, I HATE training for races, it is a vicious cycle I use to trick myself into exercising.Once I became a race addict, that marked one year after surgery. It took me one year to figure out how to fit it all in. My schedule was planned and very well executed. Work out then work, then cook then church or friends or family commitments. It worked for me. I know how important exercise is and make sure to keep it a priority in my life.
Now, I have a new job. I have a commute and I have to travel and when the holidays come around… AHHHH!!!!
For the first time since I figured out how to get it all in! I have had to relax and be kind to myself. I have to settle for four or five days of working out versus six or seven. I have to plan my meals a week in advance and shop for that food and pack my lunch and snacks and sometimes dinner. I have to work out after work, which means that I don’t get home until about 9 pm. It is different. I am sure I will figure out a plan that works for me soon. Until then I am “trying to fit it all in” as much as humanly possible!
My mantra is, don’t worry if you can’t get it all in right away. Try and try again, until you come up with a routine that works. That is what I do, and when life changes, I change the routine until I get it all in again. Then life changes again. Since life always seems to change, I will have to be kind to myself, and not beat myself up when I fail, because that won’t help. However trying one day at a time, I will eventually get it all in again!
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