TGIF

Thank God it's Friday that I chose to start my Optifast diet. At the end of class last night we were given our Optifast shakes. Some have chosen to start tomorrow and others on Friday. I ordered two chocolate, two vanilla, one orange, and one hot-and-slim soup.

I'm nervous.

What if I hate the taste of the product? I find it odd that not once has Kaiser offered a sample. I'm guessing it tastes horrible and if they offered a sample no one would join the program.

The differences are many between the other fasting program and Kaiser's. The former being incredibly rigid with check-in, attendance, tracking what you eat and when you exercise. We had to check in mid-week (via email or phone call) and provide totals for calories eaten and calories burned and how much water we drank. I don't even have Lance's email address or direct phone number to call him with a question. It's just soooo different and much more lax at Kaiser. I think I might like that better. God knows I have too many meetings and deadlines to deal with my job to add that into the mix as well.

I'm nervous. I've been successful before on a liquid fast and now I'm hoping I don't have that "been there done that and now I'm bored" attitude. To my surprise I didn't gain week from all of my Last Suppers. It could still catch up with me.

I am not sure how I'll handle the work/food events I have coming up. Our department holiday luncheon, my regional meeting, and a leadership team meeting are all scheduled December 15. I don't feel like sharing with ANYONE that I'm on this program. Only Ryan and my best friend Lisa know at this point.

Side note: A coworker of mine was commenting on recent funny episode of Mike & Molly and a different coworker started groaning. When asked why the groan, she replied, "It disgusts me." Hmm...I was standing five feet from her and heard the exchange and wondered if she was referring to the two very large main characters that disgusted her. I'm sure she was. Let me just add that this woman is probably 5'3 and weighs 100 pounds soaking wet dipped in bread crumbs. So, how does she feel about me? 5'5 and a 255.5?

Sooo, wish me luck. Friday is the day my trip outta Fatburgh begins....
till next time,
J.

OPTIFAST: T-L-S-S

Class numero uno occurred last night. It's a small group of seven counting myself ranging in age from 19-60. Our instructor, "Lance" informs us we are group #2941 at this Kaiser Permanente location that has served up the Optifast option since 1971. Wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect from class since I had already been comparing everything to the other hospital program I attended. Lance sat in a chair and casually went through the program. He kept us there for the entire two hours. It certainly could have ended after one.

I'm told Kaiser's Optifast program is more emotion-based whereas the other hospital was strictly exercise and nutrition focused in gestapo-like fashion. This should be interesting. I think I've pegged a 'talker' in the group already. During introductions she spent a good 15 minutes beyond the usual, "Hi. My name is Mary."

Next Tuesday we get our product after class. Lance gave us the option of starting immediately after class, the next day or even after the Thanksgiving holiday. Can you guess what day I'm starting? Yes, FRIDAY! I've been ready for this diet for about three weeks. Had I started on October 25 like I wanted to this holiday wouldn't be a consideration. But...starting two days before the holiday is the reason I will celebrate with my family. Christmas will be off limits and I'm trying to get used to that now. Not only Christmas dinner and New Year's celebration, but the entire month of December with chocolate and potlucks galore.

I am officially part of the TLSS Gang. The Last Supper Syndrome Gang. Yep. Is it wrong of me to already have a list of places I want to eat from now until next week? I gained 3 pounds from the initial assessment weigh-in back in mid October. Any die hard dieter reading this will think I'm doomed for failure with this pre-diet foodfest, but hopefully I prove you wrong.

Till next time...

T-6 days

I changed my profile picture to better reflect my outward appearance. The only difference is that I have hair. And I'm female. My physical appearance, however, is just like good ol' Mr. Humpty Dumpty. I have skinny legs with a thigh measurement of 24, but a big hip roll and belly and arms and boobs. If I wear leggings or straight leg jeans, I look just like Humpty. I thought it was appropriate to make him my profile pic. I don't need a real picture of myself because I desperately want to remain anonymous. I want this Optifast journey to help someone else considering a medically supervised fast. My goal is to offer my experience with it all and hopefully it will assist someone else in the future.

My first Optifast class is scheduled for next week. What I'm told is that you go to that class and then WAIT......ANOTHER WEEK....before you can start the shakes. What?! I feel like I've waited too long as it is. In fact, this waiting game has given me time to contemplate joining. I've asked myself, "Can I do this by myself?" "Can I just exercise and watch my food intake on my own." "How will I get through the holidays or work meetings with food?" It's turned into a negative spin instead of a positive one.

It all comes back to this very important health issue: Uncontrolled diabetes with a 14% A1C result. I think I heard a resounding GASP from anyone who understands the world of diabetes. My doctor has told me for years that getting the weight off and exercising could potentially mean getting off diabetic meds. Has it worked? Nope. This is why I'm returning to a liquid fast. It's quick, medically supervised weight loss.

That's the scoop. I'll report back after class #1.