First Few Days

The first few days on the weight control system prescribed by Dr. George Bartels has been difficult to say the least. Given that my days seemed to revolve around food, whether it was where my next meal was going to be or shopping for food, day one went well. I was able to stick to the program and did not stray in the least. Of course, I think I was in denial and trying a little bit of self-sabotaging by not setting the alarm for a 7 am physical appointment in Cary and leaving the paperwork on my office desk. However, upon arriving a few minutes late, parking on the wrong side of the building, and quickly re-completing the required paperwork, it became quickly evident that committing to the program was going to happen and it needed to happen quick. Once I sat down in the waiting room and took a deep breath, it kind of settled over me and I resolved myself to a new beginning. While waiting I looked out and saw my sister-in-law (Michelle) pull into the parking lot. Seeing her was comforting and helped me realize that I would not be alone in this new challenge.

The challenge does not just include limiting my intake to the prescribed 5 daily shakes, multivitamin, 128 ounces of water, and weekly vitamin B12 shots. The biggest challenge is trying not to look at and think about all the restaurants that seemed to be calling my name. I physically had to turn away from the fast food restaurants and talk myself down from the smells that never smelled so tantalizing. Shopping at Costco for my new "menu" of bottled water, Crystal Light, fruit h20, and yummy gum was extremely difficult. The crab dip samples, the fresh bread and pies being baked, and all the other sample stands that I mindlessly took samples from in the past forced me to focus on my purpose and not on the food. Quite difficult!! Of course cooking my favorite meal of BBQ chicken, corn, rice, and rolls didn't help either. Somehow I made it through the day. While at Costco I purchased a cooler and filled it with appropriate drinks and ice with the intention of keeping it full and in the car everyday. It should be much easier to get in my liquids if I don't have to stop and buy something and it's readily available.

In the evening of day one I drove Sidney over to her Girl Scout meeting and had planned to get some coffee as a treat. Unfortunately, Michelle needed me to run an errand for candles so I didn't get my treat. On the drive home we stopped at Smithfields and picked up some crushed ice. Thinking this would help me chew on something, I felt like it could be a good think. Earlier in the day a fun recipe came to mind - crushed ice with lemonade, orange, or blackberry Crystal Light sprinkled on top. Sort of a modified slushy that I could chew and suck on. When we got home I made my new specialty up and wow - it was yummy!!

Day two was another story. I lost track of the number of shakes I drank and without thinking inhaled two slices of pepperoni pizza. I tried to focus on it being one day and not the end all. Within two hours my hands were feeling puffy from all the salt in the pizza. In trying to be more organized and avoid the lost count again, I took time at the end of the night to put four shakes in a plastic bag and made up the first strawberry shake for the morning.

Day three has gone very well. Using the shakes from my pre-counted bag was very helpful. I also entered reminders in my Treo helping me to remember to drink my shakes every 3 hours and take my vitamin and medicine. It's too easy to let too much time pass and suddenly be starving, be grumpy, and have a headache. Today was Grant's fifth grade graduation. Without thinking, Sidney and I made a beeline for the cake. With the plate of chocolate cake in hand and a fruit punch in the other it strook me that I couldn't have anything in the room. I passed it to Flint and started talking to the teachers. Grant was ready to go so within minutes so it was easy to leave. He was ready to go to his friend's house so we stopped at Char-Grill on the way. We also talked about my new diet and how it would affect eating out for everyone. It's important to me that he not change his eating habits to make things easier for me, but it is nice that he understands how important to me this is. My prediction is that Grant will be very supportive. This evening I again caught up on my shakes (two at one time), had the crushed ice treat, and relaxed with a hot cup of coffee with my allowed 2 TBSP of cream. I also started my period today - lovely! How nice that it coincides with implementing a major life change. Ah, tomorrow is a new day.