Health & Wellness Magazine Live + Thrive Magazine - Summer 2018 | Page 8

Q:
R:
Did you have to make any dietary changes after your surgery?
Absolutely. I had to completely overhaul my nutrition. I
eliminated liquid calories and stuck to a mostly low-to-moderate
carbohydrate diet. I learned to prioritize proteins and fats over
carbohydrates. I began focusing on meal prepping at home, with the
bariatric diet focusing on fresh food. I usually concentrate on three
small meals per day.
Q:
R:
What surprises did you encounter on the way?
The biggest surprise was that I didn’t realize how emotionally
dependent on food I was. I thought I just loved food. I learned that
I leaned on food as a crutch and a way to sooth myself emotionally.
Entertainment when bored, celebrating when happy, soothing
when sad.
Q:
R:
Did you change your exercise as well?
Initially, I focused on diet because it was such a major change
by itself. I wanted to make sure I got the hang of that before moving
onto anything else. About three months after surgery, I started
walking. I still felt too insecure to go to the gym. That evolved to
eventually walking more and more and going to the gym as well.
Q:
What advice do you have for people who are on the fence
about the surgery?
R:
My biggest piece of advice is to make the most of your first year
out from surgery. Initially, the weight is literally falling off. After 12–18
months, you will be able to eat more, and the weight loss will begin to
slow down. This is when you will learn to eat around the surgery and
could gain weight back, so be serious and follow the advice of the
doctors. The honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever.
FOLLOW HER JOURNEY AT ROSEMARIEFIT.COM
@ROSEMARIE_FIT
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