Open Door

Something has changed in the last two days.  The tightness of my band from the fill last week seems to have loosened significantly.  The first thing I noticed was a return of hunger about an 60 - 90 minutes earlier than I'd expect and the ability to eat a greater quantity at once.  Secondarily, food seems to "slide through" more easily instead of remaining in the upper stomach, creating stretch, fullness and satiety.

So.  What to do?  When the door is open, should you step through?  When the band is feeling quite restrictive, it's impossible.  The door is locked.  Now that the door is open (about 1/4 way), it obvious that it's time to engage the brain.  Those that have gone before me talk about the band being a tool but not the solution.  The solution is me.  I get to choose what, when and how much to eat.  The band gets to be the band.  The bumpers in the bowling lane gutter.  It can't throw the ball for me. 

Strategies for the next 4 days:
(Why 4 days?  Check out the 4 day win )

1.  Watch and hunger and fullness cues carefully.  Be careful of getting too hungry and then over-nourishing as a result.

2.  Focus on primary rather than secondary foods (this is based on integrative, holistic nutrition.  Check out http://www.integrativenutrition.com/primaryfood  or http://primarynourishment.com/my-approach

The Bus

You ticket to incidental exercise!  Getting an extra 2 mile walk in today since I'm bussing from Phinney to Capital Hill.  That's good.  Ever notice how can smell what the person sitting next to you last ate?  That's bad.  What is that smell?  KFC?

Analogies & Experiences

Having too loose of a band, or, how I know I need a fill right away:

• This feels much like driving with a very loose parking break on:  You feel something kinda dragging on you, but you can pretty much drive as fast as you want.
• You over-plan eating and ruminate about the next meal.  Thoughts of food dominate your consciousness.
• You feel like you need to satisfy your hunger as soon as you feel it.
• Letting your hunger build also makes your anxiety build.
• Easy to eat over 2000 Kcals a day.

The green zone, sweet spot, or perfect fill level

• Weirdly satisfied with about 1/4 or 1/2 of what you'd normally eat.  (This is still novel and on occasion, I still over-fill my plate.
• Little rumination about food between meal times.
• No physical need and less emotional need to graze and snack.
• 1200 - 1500 Kcals feel about right.  It might be difficult to eat too much over 2000 Kcals.
• Feel like bowling with bumpers:  You still have to throw the ball straight to get a strike, but the bumpers will prevent you from rolling a gutter ball (or totally blowing it by over-eating).

Band too-tight

• Hurts to drink water.
• Takes an hour or more to finish 20 ounces of protein drink
• Hard to get 900 - 1000 Kcals
• Feel like there's a parking boot on your car.  You're not going anywhere and if you try to drive, you're going to damage your car.