I have no idea what I weigh and can't tell from the fit of my clothing, because I've been living a life without underwear, first in hospital gowns that were sent home with me, and then in voluminous, Victorian-style nightgowns. Today is just my third day in a proper bra, polo shirt and very wide-legged, elastic-waisted running shorts. Even the latter garment wasn't easy to pull over an enormous padded leg brace.
But I'm here to talk about my well-meaning acquaintances and friends who have included Lindt truffles, tins of European biscuits (really high-end cookies), Trader Joe's Swiss chocolate and a plate of Italian wedding cookies with their "get well soon" cards.
I've handed them all over to my mother, who should get some of these perks, since she's stuck with the task of being my caregiver. But I wish they weren't even there.
And I look with new appreciative eyes at my friends who responded with Edible Arrangements, flowers, an Amazon gift certificate, and an enormous fruit basket which we're still enjoying. Those people really know me.
If I gain weight while convalescing, at least it won't be from snacking to make myself feel better. But I resent the energy it takes to fend them off. And also, since I've spent more time watching TV than ever in my life, I am sick to death of the repetitious but luscious food advertising. I've never had so much of it drilling into my brain.
One thing I know for sure, is that food offers no solace. The only help it offers would be from good nutrition. I need some mental stimulation, have to keep fighting off depression, and need to heal. It's not going to provide any long-term benefits in any of those areas.
saef, since being ill, I have noticed that there seems to be the idea that enough home made cookies will somehow cure you. It is a lovely gesture, it just doesn't work that way.
We don't know how to respond to crisis without food, I don't think.
That's for sure.
You know they mean well, but how frustrating! I guess they probably consider you as a thin/fit person who can eat whatever she wants.
But it is so hard to avoid temptations like than when you feel bad anyway.
Hang in there Saef! All of us here are thinking of you and hoping for a fast recovery.
I know! saef, call up all your friends who are sending those awful foods, thank them profusely, and then tell them if they really want to help, to send steaks. Because you need that protein, girl!
Jay, yeah, I wouldn't mind a filet mignon or two from Omaha Steak. We just finished off the prime rib that my mother cooked for Thanksgiving, and then roasted a chicken, as the post-Thanksgiving sales on fowl are irresistible.
My food choices have been impeccable, because I can't wander into the kitchen randomly and thoughtlessly. I have to issue a request to my mother, who then complies or not, and comments on what she thinks of my order -- basically, I am being fed by a keeper.
The most difficult part of the deal is that my mother dislikes cooking and is fond of convenience foods, whereas I learned to cook and like it as part of my grand initial project of losing over 100 pounds. I do a lot of menu strategizing and list-making. I cut up vegetables and do what I can while seated at a table with my leg propped up. But then I have to coach my mother while she stands at the stove. She's amenable -- she's excited to have lost 10 pounds while staying with me, eating alongside me, says she could stand to lose about 40 more. But I can see she's not enjoying it and hasn't got any natural instincts to check on things or do anything spontaneously. She always wants exact times and measurements, and I hadn't realized how much I live by rough estimates, checking on the look and smell and taste of things.
That's great that your mom is losing weight since staying with you, Saef. Perhaps she'll be motivated to continue after gaining better habits with you. I would bet you are losing too-- without snacking, etc.... And I'm glad you are able to at least help cut up veggies-- sounds like you're making excellent progress.
My hubby is an excellent cook and loves cooking when he's home. In the past, it was a bone of contention as he didn't cook as healthy as I did. However, he's come around and will (mostly) comply with the types of meals I request. He is more heavy handed with the salt and oil than I like, but besides that, he's pretty awesome. I just have to limit my portions when he cooks so well!
He is coming home Sunday for less than 24 hours. Ugh. Better than nothing, I suppose....
Jay, yeah, I wouldn't mind a filet mignon or two from Omaha Steak. We just finished off the prime rib that my mother cooked for Thanksgiving, and then roasted a chicken, as the post-Thanksgiving sales on fowl are irresistible.
Prime rib for T-Day sounds yummy!
We actually bought and ate 2 extra turkeys (one before T-day, one after) because turkeys were irresistibly inexpensive. If we had room for an extra freezer, I think we'd tuck a few away for off-season dining. One of the turkeys we cooked dried out a little because it took longer to get our flu shots than I expected. But I realized that at 69 cents a pound, it was cheaper than prepared dog treats I buy, so we got to eat the crispy skin and juicy dark meat (and some of the white meat went into soup), and we still have some of the dried-out meat for dog treats.
We had a salesman in the office on Monday who said that the day after Thanksgiving Costco had turkeys for $5 each--regardless of size. That's a steal!
I like turkey because you get so much out of them. A turkey dinner, some sandwiches or leftovers, a casserole or two and soup. Really economical and poultry is generally lower in calories. Win-win!
Staying late at work due to a worker's comp audit. Thankfully I have leftover turkey tetrazzini in the fridge to reheat quickly when I get home!
Went for my yearly check-up today. The doc asked me what a recent weight was and I said it generally was in the range of 136-138 lbs. He said "let's split the difference and write down 137". I guess this is not a particularly good thing - I could have told him I weigh 126lbs. and he probably would have written that down.
I think, in my recent experiences with doctors, the GP has become a gatekeeper and referral service for medical treatment, rather than actually dispensing any themselves. that's OK - at least he'll see me on Saturdays at 7:40 a.m.
Natalie wants to learn to type apparently. Filing too. My desk has become OUR desk.
I think, in my recent experiences with doctors, the GP has become a gatekeeper and referral service for medical treatment, rather than actually dispensing any themselves. that's OK - at least he'll see me on Saturdays at 7:40 a.m.
I cannot begin to agree more. DH and i recently got insurance and had to go to doctors and the GP's are basically (that we see) referral happy and love to write Rx's for antibiotics and such and that's it
Saturday at 7:40 am? Are you kidding? Does he work M-F too? Does he work until (or past) 5 pm? Good grief, that sounds like an even worse schedule than mine.
Saturday at 7:40 am? Are you kidding? Does he work M-F too? Does he work until (or past) 5 pm? Good grief, that sounds like an even worse schedule than mine.
His hours vary greatly during the week but he's at about a 40-hour week. He adjusts his schedule to suit himself. During the summer he takes two mornings off every week to go golfing. His receptionist is only part-time and she comes in at the times that suit her.
They have worked out a pretty good schedule for themselves - lucky folks!
I guess it's well past time for me to schedule a "yearly" checkup for each of us. My GP used to be a gatekeeper, but my plan is different now (employer-managed with a health-care account) and we can make appts directly with specialists. We've done that for DD who had some GI issues (which the specialist did help to clear up after years of it ongoing! yay!!!). I also used it to get a 2nd opinion on a mole that worried me (dermatologist agreed that it was benign, but I didn't like worrying that my GP might be wrong -- my mother had a melanoma and eventually died from cancer). I think I have increased out-of-pocket cost, but I'm happier this way.
The scale has gone up to 139.4, but I've been eating saltier foods after a trip to the Korean grocery (marnated veggies, roasted nori, etc). However, it's also cookie baking season, so some extra calories may be finding their way into my diet.
Because you need that protein, girl!
Filing too. My desk has become OUR desk. 
To me, "file" is the ultimate four-letter "F" word. Bet she makes a good paperweight, too.
