That’s an expression held over from my Mom. When she sensed that I might not be feeling well, she’d ask, “Honey, are you feeling punky?” I don’t know where she got it from, but it’s a good memory. Particularly because she’d usually then be happy to make me a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup.
I defrosted some of my Giada-recipe tomato soup and had it for lunch today, sans grilled cheese sandwich.
Honestly, I’m feeling better than I did yesterday. Mostly I’m tired which is an improvement over feeling tired and like crap. The cold is moving down into my chest which makes me cough more. This is not fun after an hour of Zumba where we did a lot of crunches and other ab work. On the plus side, I was able to breathe through the entire class. Booyah!
Okay. Enough whining. It’s just a freaking cold. It’ll will pass in a few more days. In the meantime, I’m functional.
My day started early. Every few months, the surgeon requires extensive blood work. In addition to the regular stuff like a CPC, lipid panel, and blood sugar, he wants to check a number of vitamins in my blood. Makes sense, since I’m eating so little. He needs to know that I’m nutritionally balanced. I know that it takes a while to draw all of the blood needed for these tests, so I was at the hospital when the outpatient check-in opened at 8 a.m. I was the first patient. The phlebotomist was a jewel, but understandably curious about why so many tests were ordered. As she lined up tubes (10-12) and prepared to stick me, I explained about having surgery. We started to have a really nice, empathetic discussion about being heavy and needing to lose weight. (She’s slightly more than 300 pounds.)
We also commiserated about some of things that well-meaning friends, co-workers and family say. While the intent might be to help, a lot of people don’t realize that their words actually hurt. Seriously, folks, no overweight person needs to hear that things would probably improve if they lost weight. Likewise, if anyone is ever tempted to tell an obese woman, “You have such a pretty face. You’d be so beautiful if you only lost weight.”
Actually, any statement that could end with the phrase “if you only lost weight”, should probably not be uttered.
It’s not like we don’t know these things. I don’t know too many people who don’t try to lose their excess weight, unless they’ve completely given up. Stating the obvious often just makes us feel worse about ourselves than we already do.
I know that not saying anything is difficult. People that love us, or at least like us, naturally worry about our health. There is a need to say or do something with the hope that what is said can encourage us to do something positive. I know that I never figured out a way to do this for the long term until I had the surgery. I don’t think that surgery is the only way for everyone. I hope that I continue to be successful.
I hope that the sweet phlebotomist is able to find her way.
Weighty Matters 
Yeah, colds suck. Even when you know it’s not serious, you still feel rotten.
Hope you feel better soon.
Good for you and your doctor for watching your nutrient levels.
It’s cool that you were able to share your story with her. Even if she never chooses to go that way, it was probably still inspiring to her.
Sorry you are feeling punky. I’ve heard that expression, but not from my own family. From them it was always “crummy”.
I am certain you will continue to be successful. You have made so much progress in your eating and your cravings and your ability to distract or redirect your cravings. It’s such fun reading your enthusiastic descriptions of your successes and your casual stories of the occasional slip. You are doing great! Now to get rid of that damned cold! I’m sure I wouldn’t have tried ab work with a cough. 🙂
Take care.