Orientation and Lifestyles I

February 8, 2006

Yes, it was yesterday. How was it? I'm still absorbing all of it, so

that's kind of hard to say. What I know for sure is that it's all

becoming much more " real " to me very quickly, so I think your

expectations are right on target in that regard.

Let's see. . . overall reactions:

o The scale they weighed us on showed me about 4 lbs higher than the

one at the Y that I've been using down here. That's ok, I just need to

remember that in the future so I can keep the difference in mind.

o There's a huge amount of information presented. A lot of it is

information that those of us on this list have already become aware of,

but it's good to hear it in a different way.

o The staff are wonderful! Gity (Dr. Baxter), (one of the

RN/case managers), and everyone we talked to were compassionate,

understanding, and aware of what we're going through and where we're

coming from. For anyone who's had the experience of having a doctor

look down on them for their weight, you can throw that fear right out

the window. These folks really understand. However, they won't take

excuses - they've also heard all the excuses in the world, and they cut

right through them.

o I could see and hear " lightbulb moments " happening for people

throughout the day. Mine was triggered by a comment I don't even

remember, when I had a sudden flashback to my childhood and realized

that most of my emotional associations with food were positive memories

of me and my father connecting over things like Raisin Bran with half-

and-half, or creating crazy food combinations together for snacks. (Not

with my mom, oddly enough, but my dad. Hmmmm. . . file that away to

explore more. . .)

o I hadn't realized that there is a support meeting that runs during

the two-hour break between Orientation and Lifestyles. That was great;

that's where I was able to meet Francisco and Lilka.

Anyway, my husband went with me to Orientation; he had to miss the

lifestyles class, but it was good to have him there for the first part.

The whole day is designed to really make you aware of what you're

getting into, and it really does that very well. It was emotionally

exhausting for me but at the same time exhilerating.

Cathy C.

>

> Cathy,

>

> Didn't you just have your Orientation and Lifestyles I at SSF? How

was it?

> I think I will feel like something is actually happening once I have

that

> first day of " events " and it will seem more real to me....was just

wondering

> if you weren't really UP after having those this week.

>

> Take Care

> Dawn

February 8, 2006