Weight Loss Surgery Forums

"Keep your eyes on your Fries!" That was the catch phrase for McDonalds© several years back. The idea the marketers tried to burn into your brain was that their French fries were so good others would try to steal them from you—If you didn’t watch out. The ad campaign likely worked very well.

In talking with a person in my WLS support group, I learned they were having a rough time sticking to their diet regimen. They were feeling very defeated, and were resorting to “comfort eating” as a means to deal with several issues of stress. The subject line of their post to our Yahoo group was “feeling so stupid.” I understood all too well what they were going through. I struggled to find words of encouragement. What could I say that would encourage them to look forward and not focus on the recent failure? Slowly, a distant recollection started coming back to me.

When I was 12 years old, I began helping my grandfather plow on his farm. During the course of training me, Grandpa relayed this grain of truth. “As you plow, focus on keeping your front tire headed straight, next to where you have already plowed. Look back occasionally to make sure the plow is not plugged up with straw, but keep your focus on what is in front. When you look back, your head will pull your shoulder and arm around and you will turn the wheel. When the wheel turns, it either causes a skip in the cultivation or you head into where you have already plowed. You either have to go back and pick up the skip, or you are going over the ground twice. In any case, you are wasting time and burning extra fuel!”

This is a lesson we can learn and apply to this journey we call “weight loss.” We have to keep our eyes focused on what is ahead instead of where we have been. Keeping our eyes on the prize of “maximum” weight loss and “increased” quality of life should be our goal. If a person dwells on past failures and experiences, they are destined to either make a “skip” or head back where they have already been. In any event, doing so wastes time and burns energy needed to achieve one’s goals.

In my own journey, the recollection came at a critical point At the time of my WLS surgery, I had nominal expectations of what the results might be. As I approached my first “post-surgery” anniversary, the reality of my weight-loss success was almost unbelievable to me. I had lost 20 pounds more than my greatest expectation had been. I was down to a waist size I have no recollection of ever being. All of this had come with a very small price on my part. While I had followed dietary instructions well, I had lost all this weight without implementing any kind of exercise regimen. However, the crossroad that we all reach came quickly over my horizon.

I found myself 13 months past my surgery and beginning to believe I was able to eat ANYTHING that struck my fancy, as long as I kept the portions small. My surgeon told me at my annual follow-up that I was probably getting close to being done losing weight. “The tool has done its job. Now, it’s up to you to make sure the weight stays off.” The comments are still sinking in to my “much-too-thick” gray matter.
Reality came into perfect focus at my next visit to my cardiologist. I actually GAINED two pounds over the course of the month. It was a small “skip,” but it was a “skip” just the same. I had taken my eyes off of my goal of a healthier life. I lost sight of wanting to be around for my wife and children for the long haul. I began to feel just like my support-group friend had. How many others have experienced similar circumstances and emotions? It was time to apply Grandpa’s illustration to something besides farming.

The life application is this: WLS is the best tool devised to assist a person to deal with the problems of chronic, morbid obesity. But, it is only a tool—we are the ones to direct our lives and ensure the tools we have are used properly. Look back to make sure the plow is still working correctly, but make sure your main focus is on keeping your wheel directed straight ahead.

Forget about the fries, "KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!"