I Have the Best Nutritionist in the World!!

As noted in my previous post, I emailed my nutritionist this morning and received the following response:

"Hi Christine,
I'm so sorry for your struggles and frustrations! Here are some ideas:


1) You must find an alternative to the gym! If you can't find a new gym/YMCA nearby, then consider getting some exercise equipment to use at home and exercise DVDs. If this does not appeal to you, schedule at least 1/2 hour to do some kind of movement each day. Even dancing at home to music will do! You can also accumulate the 30 minutes by doing 15 min in the am and 15 min in the pm.


2) What is provoking you to snack all the time? If you are not really hungry then it's emotional or exhaustion or dehydration.
First be sure you are drinking enough water. Sip all the time. I know it's a pain, but drinking water can help. Second, if you really miss the gym do ANYTHING to keep moving. Just don't sit too long. If you have to be at your computer, get up every 1/2 - 1 hour and walk around somewhere, do stretches, or bring some free weights (even cans) to work to do some strengthening exercises. Be in constant motion. Walk a little faster then you normally do. Take stairs. KEEP MOVING! Sounds crazy and you'll look a little funny, but it will work to burn calories. You'll also feel lighter and less puffy. Third, if you are overtired you need to rest. Go to sleep earlier tonight. Try not to overextend yourself. If you are worried or anxious, make a list of non-food pleasures that you use to calm down. Books, music, shopping, letter writing, movies, baths/showers, phone calls, etc. etc. The minute you want to reach for a snack and you know you are not hungry, reach for your "pleasure list" instead. And do one of the things on the list. (PS maybe you need to add something on the list you need to resolve...like telling Amy off! If you are upset, then clearing the air can make you feel more in control, which will help you control other things in your life, such as your weight).


By the way...I had long conversations with both Amy and Dr. Merola. Dr. M. is very concerned about Amy's behavior and she knows she needs to work on this negativity and inaccurate information. I have scheduled a training with the whole team for January to be sure everyone is aware of the latest in Bariatric Nutrition Therapy. I will keep you informed.


Stay strong and let me know how you are doing!"

For those of you that don't know, Amy is some kind of nurse that works in the bariatric department and visits with me and every other patient during our appointments. I think my nutritionist had the last straw the last time I visited with her. I'm not really one to complain about other professionals. I know people have bad days and just chalk a lot up to inexperience or lack of knowledge of how to deal with the public. I personally am not a people person. I HATE people, lol. I do whatever possible without ever talking to a human being. For a long time, I was a very shy person, so that was one reason. When I did need to talk to people, I would always get the most incompetent person helping me. It just got to the point where I didn't want to deal with anyone and thanks to the internet, I very rarely have to anymore. Anyway, I am not the first to speak about 'being nervous about going to get weighed in' or 'they aren't going to be happy with my weight loss' or just about the inconsistencies in the educational supplies handed out. I am happy that I will be able to help others out in the future and even myself now. I've just begun on this journey. My life is forever changed and I am unlike anyone else that hasn't had this surgery. I eat differently and am affected differently by food. It's not a bad thing at all, it's just different and I have to live my life accordingly. I do have to admit that I a little nervous about going to my next appointment. I'm hoping my name wasn't used, but I'm sure it was. Oh well, it was all honest and I was frustrated. How can I be told 4 different things?? Which one is right? Who do I listen to? Now, I will know. Everything will be the same.