Prep Time

As my Sunday arrival in Durham approaches, I am beginning to pull together everything I need to take along with me. Yesterday I refilled all my prescriptions so that I won't run out and went to Kohl's and purchased a second bathing suit. Today I need to buy a lock for my locker at Duke and flip-flops for the shower. Today, I am driving down to Danvers, MA. to have lunch with my sister, Joan, (bless her heart) who is lending me her lap-top computer so that I can keep in communication with Sudie and continue to update this blog while I am at Duke.

Knowing that I am soon going to be under strict calorie restrictions, it is so tempting to eat food that I know I won't be able to post-Duke. For example, at Lunch today with Joan, I could order a reuben sandwich (I'll keep you posted :-)) This afternoon,I am making Mac & Cheese for a family who can use some help with meals and plan to make enough for our dinner tonight. The diet center has asked participants not to change our usual food intake, and the Mac & Cheese is a meal we occasionally have so I don't feel any guilty in having it.

Finally, in addition to the comments on this blog, I have received some wonderful emails since I asked for help. Nancy Davison had a friend of hers, who has been in the Duke program, email me. It was very helpful with suggestions and a brief insight to what life will be like. I have copied it below:

<<<< Hello, I'm Nancy's friend and I spent a week at Duke 2 years ago. First of all, the program is in a new facility I understand so that should be wonderful. They have a psychological component that you might wish to schedule yourself into, with a fellow named Peter. He gave me a few tips - put the sneakers by the door and you're half way there sort of thing. He'll take you bird watching as a group exercise too. I photographed my meals as a future reference point. They'll establish the amount of calories you need per day (1600 in my case) and you'll learn what to eat, how much, etc. I found this benchmark valuable and watch it still today. You might ask them about your salt intake. Bring some Mrs. Dash. You might do exercises you don't usually do - like in the pool - an open mind is a great approach - try new things. We've all been to the boring gym, haven't we? There are a lot of off campus tours, such as a wonderful Chinese Cooking Class, and Museum tours. I guess I'd try things I don't usually try just for the enjoyment and for the "mind stretch". You'll see some folks who are really morbidly obese - one fellow was on a stretcher - I don't know your situation but good for you. Lighten up and make it fun not a big old chore or bore. And do rest and shut your mind off. Oh yes, it's not boot camp - it really is a bunch of good tips, good classes, good eating, and good living, so do enjoy and let me know about your experience.>>>>

Please keep the comments coming as reading them will recharge my batteries.