SerenityValley
Surgically happy.
I'm thinking about not doing LL's version of a RTM.
I never thought I'd say that but I'm at a point where I'm losing respect for the programme, or rather the way they go about things. I'm not going to vent much but I think that the men's programme is an afterthought, and that we're given a raw deal in general. The number of 20 minute sessions we've had, the repetitive material, CBT that is helpful at first and then virtually meaningless for me at least, because its so generalised and feels lightweight. I feel that it's there to take money, as men have it "easier".
But anyway.
The problem with LL's RTM programme, is that is doesn't look like it will suit me. The insistence on uncooked veg, which I KNOW I will not do is a particular bone of contention. The first few weeks look like they will be very difficult - not because I'll be dealing with food but because I'll be dealing mostly with food I have no wish to eat.
That coupled with really not trusting them with their support (as I say, I feel they want men there to make money). I understand why there's no "food talk" but I've been ready for weeks to learn how to do rtm, but instead I'm skipping meetings now, because I feel I'm just sitting in on the new members' meetings.
So while I haven't decided 100%, I am probably already 90% sure that I will do my own version, I'll be talking to people I know who have done their own (like LS), and I'm making a dr appointment to discuss being referred to someone. I have some friends/aquaintences who know a lot about nutrition.
I'll have to take multivitamins as I won't be doing the packs at all. But it also means I can start exercise within the first 2 or 3 weeks, rather than later in rtm (I know that some people manage it but I haven't been able to exercise at all - and now most days I feel faint when I get up and I'd rather start getting nutrition from food asap).
So with that in mind, I've decided that April 30th is my cut off point. Though in truth, it should be sooner as I have only 18lbs left to lose. Plus they've told me I need a letter from my surgeon saying I am ok to stay on LL after my op on April 21st, so it's possible I'll have to finish sooner - it's not that I object, but they must surely have faced this question before and know whether it's ok or not for me to do RTM after a keyhole op. So it suggests to me, they're not really interested in people, just in covering themselves. It feels like they do the bare minimum in terms of heallth (bp and pluse checks for example).
Sorry - keep slipping into vent mode. Don't get me wrong, I am delighted with the results and I owe the programme a lot - though I'm coming to believe that I did this - and should be taking a lot more credit for it than I ever have. It's a personal feeling and I know other people's mileage will vary.
Anyway, I'm going to start researching my options now. I have 46 days to decide I guess! Not sure when my final weigh in will be - I have a free week to get, plus have enough packs for over a week. So I may have my final weigh in in mid-April.
I've questioned my motives with this. I wanted to be sure I wasn't just trying to finish early. But in all honesty, I wouldn't be starting RTM any earlier, and it wouldn't take any less time - it may even take longer.
Obviously if things go wrong, I will have to go back and do RTM their way but to be honest, I know I can do this. They say people who skip RTM almost always put it on and people who do it almost always keep it off but I don't believe that is the case - I think it's people who don't do ANY sort of RTM who have problems, and people who were unwilling tomake a lifestyle change in either case.
The one thing for sure, is that I'm making a huge lifestyle change.
Thoughts on what I'm thinking of doing? Good and bad. Not looking to be swayed in either direction.
I never thought I'd say that but I'm at a point where I'm losing respect for the programme, or rather the way they go about things. I'm not going to vent much but I think that the men's programme is an afterthought, and that we're given a raw deal in general. The number of 20 minute sessions we've had, the repetitive material, CBT that is helpful at first and then virtually meaningless for me at least, because its so generalised and feels lightweight. I feel that it's there to take money, as men have it "easier".
But anyway.
The problem with LL's RTM programme, is that is doesn't look like it will suit me. The insistence on uncooked veg, which I KNOW I will not do is a particular bone of contention. The first few weeks look like they will be very difficult - not because I'll be dealing with food but because I'll be dealing mostly with food I have no wish to eat.
That coupled with really not trusting them with their support (as I say, I feel they want men there to make money). I understand why there's no "food talk" but I've been ready for weeks to learn how to do rtm, but instead I'm skipping meetings now, because I feel I'm just sitting in on the new members' meetings.
So while I haven't decided 100%, I am probably already 90% sure that I will do my own version, I'll be talking to people I know who have done their own (like LS), and I'm making a dr appointment to discuss being referred to someone. I have some friends/aquaintences who know a lot about nutrition.
I'll have to take multivitamins as I won't be doing the packs at all. But it also means I can start exercise within the first 2 or 3 weeks, rather than later in rtm (I know that some people manage it but I haven't been able to exercise at all - and now most days I feel faint when I get up and I'd rather start getting nutrition from food asap).
So with that in mind, I've decided that April 30th is my cut off point. Though in truth, it should be sooner as I have only 18lbs left to lose. Plus they've told me I need a letter from my surgeon saying I am ok to stay on LL after my op on April 21st, so it's possible I'll have to finish sooner - it's not that I object, but they must surely have faced this question before and know whether it's ok or not for me to do RTM after a keyhole op. So it suggests to me, they're not really interested in people, just in covering themselves. It feels like they do the bare minimum in terms of heallth (bp and pluse checks for example).
Sorry - keep slipping into vent mode. Don't get me wrong, I am delighted with the results and I owe the programme a lot - though I'm coming to believe that I did this - and should be taking a lot more credit for it than I ever have. It's a personal feeling and I know other people's mileage will vary.
Anyway, I'm going to start researching my options now. I have 46 days to decide I guess! Not sure when my final weigh in will be - I have a free week to get, plus have enough packs for over a week. So I may have my final weigh in in mid-April.
I've questioned my motives with this. I wanted to be sure I wasn't just trying to finish early. But in all honesty, I wouldn't be starting RTM any earlier, and it wouldn't take any less time - it may even take longer.
Obviously if things go wrong, I will have to go back and do RTM their way but to be honest, I know I can do this. They say people who skip RTM almost always put it on and people who do it almost always keep it off but I don't believe that is the case - I think it's people who don't do ANY sort of RTM who have problems, and people who were unwilling tomake a lifestyle change in either case.
The one thing for sure, is that I'm making a huge lifestyle change.
Thoughts on what I'm thinking of doing? Good and bad. Not looking to be swayed in either direction.
Last edited: