Well, surgery is less than 5 weeks away now. This Thursday, the 29th, it will only be 4 weeks away and time for me to start the liquid diet. I've already been drinking the protein shakes for breakfast so I already know how they taste. Imaging Carnation Instant Breakfast meets chalk. OK really they aren't that bad, of course I've only had 1 a day for 5 days. We'll see how I am doing when I am drinking 2 a day and eating only one meal and then drinking 5 a day with no other meals. This should be interesting.
Some things I have learned about my eating habits via my journal. I've been following the Why D.I.E.T.? method which is Why Do I Eat This? I've learned that I am quite lazy when it comes to food. But even more interesting to me is why I eat at all. I'm rarely actually hungry, because I never let myself get hungry. I eat quite often, even if I "think" it isn't that much. For instance...in the past I usually skipped breakfast because I enjoy sleeping more and fixing breakfast was the easiest thing to skip (the folks in the office prefer I shower over eat). So when I finally roll into the office and think about how good I was to "skip" a meal, I'd grad a bag of chips, pack of crackers, a mini candy bar, whatever. Each of those probably had more calories than a bowl of grits or even a slice of toast with butter. Then at 11:30 I was "starving" but that was head hunger, not actual stomach hunger. I was ready to leave the office and have a bitch session with my girlfriend(s). We'd usually get an appetizer and then each an entree. Every so often we'd have dessert or go by the bakery on the way back to the office. Then later in the afternoon I'd again "think" I needed a pick me up, so bag of chips, pack of crackers, or candy bar (only now full size was appropriate - I mean I had to get through the rest of the day and snickers really satisfies you!). Then comes the lazy...I had worked all day and just couldn't be bothered to cook dinner for Andrew and myself. So Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King and Zaxby's are all on my way home and they all have drive thrus...I don't even have to get out of the car.
Most of those habits are changing now. I'm having breakfast now - a shake. I'm not mid-morning snacking. We still have lunch out, but AMS (Anne-Marie Spalinger) has agreed to skip appetizers and even split lunches once I have my surgery, saving us both calories and money! No more bakery now and no afternoon snacks. I'll skip drive thrus and go home and cook...or on the days I am in the office Andrew cooks and they days I work from home I cook. It's been a good trade off and I find that it is a time for Andrew and I to talk about our days. He's really growing up into a fine young man. It makes me miss my mom, she'd really be proud of him right now...and maybe even me!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Great News x 2
So I have two pieces of news to share. Both are equally exciting for me so not sure how I should rate them. I suppose since this blog is about my journey I should note that I finally have a surgery date and that's the most exciting!
That's right, mark your calendar - Thursday, October 27th. Even better they have modified the pre-surgery diet and so it will only be four total weeks instead of six. The first two are two liquid meals and one normal healthy low calorie meal. Then the last two weeks, just before surgery, are liquid only. Considering the pressures and stress of my job lately, I wonder if the liquid diet includes margaritas and martinis. If so, I'd rather it be six weeks!
Speaking of work, the second big and exciting news is that I am finally a published author. While I know this blog is technically published, and brilliant as it is (ha ha), I think my article in the NAHAM Access Management Journal actually qualifies as a true publication. I'm really proud it was selected for publication and since you aren't likely to pick it up at the newstand I feel like I need to toot my own horn.
Anyway, that's about all for now...oh wait, one funny thing...I told Dr. Vicknair about the convenience store (last post). He thought it was great that I went to the "crack" house and came out clean. I did relapse and return for some diet coke a few days later, but at least I am admitting my problem, which is step #1. When I get to whatever step is apologizing to folks you have hurt, I'll post my apology to those of you suffering through this blog.
That's right, mark your calendar - Thursday, October 27th. Even better they have modified the pre-surgery diet and so it will only be four total weeks instead of six. The first two are two liquid meals and one normal healthy low calorie meal. Then the last two weeks, just before surgery, are liquid only. Considering the pressures and stress of my job lately, I wonder if the liquid diet includes margaritas and martinis. If so, I'd rather it be six weeks!
Speaking of work, the second big and exciting news is that I am finally a published author. While I know this blog is technically published, and brilliant as it is (ha ha), I think my article in the NAHAM Access Management Journal actually qualifies as a true publication. I'm really proud it was selected for publication and since you aren't likely to pick it up at the newstand I feel like I need to toot my own horn.
Anyway, that's about all for now...oh wait, one funny thing...I told Dr. Vicknair about the convenience store (last post). He thought it was great that I went to the "crack" house and came out clean. I did relapse and return for some diet coke a few days later, but at least I am admitting my problem, which is step #1. When I get to whatever step is apologizing to folks you have hurt, I'll post my apology to those of you suffering through this blog.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Convenience Store
I live just off a major road so the Shell is less than 1/2 a mile from my house. This convenience store has been my little haven for the past 6 years. I could purchase anything, from cigarettes to candy to diet cokes and not have to answer to anyone. They barely spoke English so I never felt the need to explain myself. I was a regular and probably one of their favorite customer since my diet coke and candy habit along with cigarettes and the occasional gas purchase were clearly keeping them in business.
Several weeks ago they had a special that was 5 12-packs of soda for $14. I haven't fully kicked the diet coke habit and of course Matt and Andrew still like soda. So I thought I would get some for all of us at this price. When I took my selection to the counter the man, in very broken English, said the 5 for $14 was only for Coke, no other sodas. He told me the Diet Coke would be $1 more per 12-pack. So I left without buying anything and I haven't been back.
Yesterday, as I was cooking dinner, I realized I didn't have any milk. At the same time Andrew was asking for batteries for the wireless keyboard and mouse for the Mac. Ugh, I was going to have to go to the store, with dinner already on the stove. So I decided I'd just run to the Shell, it is after all a convenience store and I needed the convenience.
Here's where I got tickled. I walked in and immediately got the "Hello" from the owner who was there. I got the milk and batteries and went to the counter. The owner told me the diet cokes were part of the sale which was now 2 for $5.99. I said I didn't need any. He asked if I was sure. Yes. Next he asked if I wanted cigarettes. When I answered that I quit he said "Oh". Then he said "You need candy?". Nope, not today. So I guess my $10 purchase of milk and batteries (which would probably have only been $5 at Kroger) wasn't going to pay his rent this month. He asked again about Diet Coke and I said no, and pointed to the other man behind the counter and advised he had told me it was $1 more per 12-pack last time I wanted to buy some.
So I took my milk and batteries and headed to the car. As soon as I got in the car and before I could close my door the owner was by my side. He wanted to apologize and explain that he had run out of Diet Coke a few weeks back and had to purchase from another store at a higher price and thus the reason it was excluded. And again he asked if I was sure I didn't want any. No, not this time was my continued answer. He said okay and let me know he had advised his employees I was to get the Diet Coke at the same price as other soda all the time because I am such a good customer. This made me smile and feel guilty all at the same time.
I wonder if I will be responsible for further economic anomolies when I stop purchasing Diet Coke all together. I've already stopped buying cigarettes and candy. This business will clearly suffer and I worry Coke may have to downsize without my financial contribution. If you own stock in Coca-Cola you might want to consider selling as I can assure you the sales in Duluth, Georgia are going to seriously decline after my surgery.
Several weeks ago they had a special that was 5 12-packs of soda for $14. I haven't fully kicked the diet coke habit and of course Matt and Andrew still like soda. So I thought I would get some for all of us at this price. When I took my selection to the counter the man, in very broken English, said the 5 for $14 was only for Coke, no other sodas. He told me the Diet Coke would be $1 more per 12-pack. So I left without buying anything and I haven't been back.
Yesterday, as I was cooking dinner, I realized I didn't have any milk. At the same time Andrew was asking for batteries for the wireless keyboard and mouse for the Mac. Ugh, I was going to have to go to the store, with dinner already on the stove. So I decided I'd just run to the Shell, it is after all a convenience store and I needed the convenience.
Here's where I got tickled. I walked in and immediately got the "Hello" from the owner who was there. I got the milk and batteries and went to the counter. The owner told me the diet cokes were part of the sale which was now 2 for $5.99. I said I didn't need any. He asked if I was sure. Yes. Next he asked if I wanted cigarettes. When I answered that I quit he said "Oh". Then he said "You need candy?". Nope, not today. So I guess my $10 purchase of milk and batteries (which would probably have only been $5 at Kroger) wasn't going to pay his rent this month. He asked again about Diet Coke and I said no, and pointed to the other man behind the counter and advised he had told me it was $1 more per 12-pack last time I wanted to buy some.
So I took my milk and batteries and headed to the car. As soon as I got in the car and before I could close my door the owner was by my side. He wanted to apologize and explain that he had run out of Diet Coke a few weeks back and had to purchase from another store at a higher price and thus the reason it was excluded. And again he asked if I was sure I didn't want any. No, not this time was my continued answer. He said okay and let me know he had advised his employees I was to get the Diet Coke at the same price as other soda all the time because I am such a good customer. This made me smile and feel guilty all at the same time.
I wonder if I will be responsible for further economic anomolies when I stop purchasing Diet Coke all together. I've already stopped buying cigarettes and candy. This business will clearly suffer and I worry Coke may have to downsize without my financial contribution. If you own stock in Coca-Cola you might want to consider selling as I can assure you the sales in Duluth, Georgia are going to seriously decline after my surgery.
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