I thought I’d be more happy about entering the “solid food phase, ” but so far, I am unimpressed. Here’s why — things are MORE complicated now. In the other phases, I didn’t have to THINK about food. I just had some prescribed mush and called it a day. Now, I can (and really should) cook a meal and I have to think about it. But cooking for one person with an extremely small stomach pouch is a tricky situation. I tried to combat the difficulties of cooking in such small portions by inviting people over for meals. Then, I can cook all I want and just eat what I can. I am pretty sure that this is a faulty plan…
What has been interesting though are people’s reactions to what I can and can’t eat. One night, I made chili which I loved and ate very slowly. And although I was enjoying it, I know I was nervous and since my face shows EVERY emotion, my friends just assumed I was having a miserable time eating it. To be honest, I was a little miserable…miserable because it was a painfully slow process when sometimes, I wish I could just scarf it down like in the past. I keep reminding myself that those days are over…forever. I think when people see the portions I eat, they get confused or maybe uncomfortable. I guess I would be too.
As for alcohol, I took a sip of a white wine and I think it was way too soon. I plan on staying away from alcohol for a while.
My stomach does NOT like fried food right now. I wonder will it ever?
Since today makes 5 official weeks, I thought I’d update you on my progress. As of this morning, I am 247.4 lbs. This means I am down a total of 75lbs from my biggest, and down 24 lbs since surgery. I’m averaging a little over 4lbs a week…sometimes I will go a few days at the same weight and I get nervous. I wonder if it stopped working…that my body has just given up on me. But I just have to learn to be patient and work the plan.
I had some size 20 jeans that I hadn’t worn in years. I didn’t want to try them on because I was certain I wasn’t there yet, but to my pleasant surprise…I got into them…I underestimate the progress I made everyday. Doubt is powerful.
I went dancing last night for the first time since one week before surgery. I was so nervous. Not so much nervous that I would hurt myself but nervous like I’d forgotten how. But I survived. One of my friends was patient enough to do a trial run with me. If it was a test, I failed, but I failed smiling; it felt good to be back on the dance floor. A newer situation arose also — men were starting to ask me to dance. I know that it seems really superficial, but it feels good to be asked to dance once in a while. I used to Salsa dance a lot, but men aren’t very kind to big girls on the dance floor. But now that I am a little smaller, men have been more apt to approach and ask…I look forward to a lot more dancing.
Skinny Dreams 
Lance
February 18, 2010
Min Min MIn…..
The rate at which you are loosing weight is incredible. No one exercising or dieting could loose the same amount of weight in a week as you. Did you know that 1lb of fat has 3500 calories!?!? That is a lot of calories. I could hop on the treadmill for a half hour and run 2 miles and end up burning on average about 400+ calories. 3500/400 = 8.75. That means i would have to go to the gym about 9 times a week in order to loose just ONE pound. You! are loosing 4 pounds a week. Like i said incredible, don’t underestimate your body, it can slide into what they call a “plateau”. Where your body’s metabolism doesn’t slow down or speed up just stays the same ———————-.
So if your weight loss stays at the same rate you are loosing about 16 pounds a month. Thats crazy good. In 4 months you will have lost 64 pounds. Just in time for summer!
Hopefully your stomach gets better so we can have some drinks, and if you need people to come over and eat food im always hungry!
Kendra
February 25, 2010
Minerva – Was this when I saw you at first ave last week? You looked amazing on the dance floor, you must have got your grove back.
I wish i was there to eat your food. My old co-worker had the same surgery, and we would go out o dinner all the time. She would say she was soooo hungry and would have 2 bites. I know for us who seek out comfort in food it can be difficult, so this is a good time to change our attitudes about food. As a necessity, a way of survival and nothing more. I too try to stop eating when im full, i know you have no choice but for us who have the option its hard to find the self will power.
You are amazing, and so honest. I admire your strength to take charge of your own live.
Hermanas Por Vida
Kendra