I went to see my bariatric surgeon and he asked about my exercise routine. I told him I wasn’t getting much in because I’d been working a lot and had a new job with an hour long commute that was cutting into my time.
That was over 2 years and 30 pounds ago.
A lot has happened since then, aside from the weight gain. I finally left my long hours and commute to Lancaster behind and am back where I belong in Berks county. My daughter (now 5) has started kindergarten. She’s on the autism spectrum, so it’s a struggle because she has some trouble paying attention, following directions, etc. In the “perfect parent” era I have to cope with the eye rolls and stares in public because people tend to immediately think I’m a jerk parent raising a disobedient kid. She’s a super happy-go-lucky kid, so lots of times I just roll with it.
I’m pretty sure my pouch has “stretched” now that I’m nearly 5 years into this bariatric surgery business. Too many times trying to squeeze in a few extra pieces of sushi, perhaps. I don’t run anymore. I’m tired a lot. Not “I want to sleep” tired, more of a “I don’t want to move from the couch” tired. Pretty bad since there’s an elliptical right next to the couch. Most walking I get when I’m playing Pokemon Go at the park or museum, though I’ve started taking lunch walks in downtown Reading. I’m trying to avoid those walks ending at Salsa Burrito.
Here I am back at blogging in hopes of rekindling my health. Exercise is obviously a hurdle, but less of one. My big issues are after-work snacking and dinner. I’m still good with meal planning for dinner, but cooking for myself plus my boyfriend and kid is where the struggle is. I’m happy eating a salad or chicken and quinoa, but the “meal” expectations are tough. Too much pasta and Rice-a-Roni wind up on the plate.
My plan is to work through small goals. Expecting to go from 0 to beast mode is setting yourself up for failure.
Today’s goal: 15 minutes of some kind of exercise.
This month’s goal: Don’t pumpkin spice myself to diabeetus.
Bariatric Berks 