After our workout today at the gym, I sat down to wait for my wife to come out of the locker room. Just before sitting down, I had a flash of memory as I plopped down into a flimsy aluminum armchair.  In that split second, I remembered when even the sight of a chair with arms on it would fill me with fear and anger.  I used to be afraid that at 500 pounds, I would perhaps not fit my girth between the arms of the chair, or that my weight would crush the legs of the chair. I would become angry that a business would buy chairs that wouldn't carry big people. Back then, I was so happy to find doctor's offices that had extra wide chairs so I didn't have to stand up in the waiting room. 

I am grateful for small, but daily reminders like armchairs to help me remember where I came from.  But it also makes me aware of my fellow sufferers of obesity who still live with those fears every day. 

I am thankful that I had finally had the courage to undergo weight loss surgery.  Life is so much better.

For the first time since I hopped back on a bicycle more than a year ago, this past weekend I rode with members of a local bicycle club. I actually belonged to the club back in 1977. I still have my old membership card. I even have the same bike.

  I met early Sunday with the ride leader, another man, and his two teenage sons. We rode out on a brisk, sunny morning onto mostly rural roads.

Well, the fifteen miles turned into  thirty miles over lots of hills, and frankly, my big old 35 pound steel, 36 year old Schwinn and my still arthritic knees had problems keeping up with the group on those hills. I also had some fear.  I was still thinking like a 500 pound guy. I was afraid I would break my bike if I stood up on the pedals when we hit the hills. My usual average of 13 miles per hour turned into 11 miles per hour.

I felt I was holding the group back, but they all had great attitudes and were very supportive. And say what you want about today's younger generation.. These kids were great!

I had told them about my journey from 500 plus pounds to a new, more active life. The group leader wants me to speak to the club about my journey and I certainly will.

Today, I'm sending in my membership fee to join the bike club.

P.S. I rode 108 miles over the past week.

Former Vice President under Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew once referred to members of the media as "nattering nabobs of negativism".  I recalled the quote today when a cashier at the grocery store asked me, "You aren't going to lose any more weight, are you?".   I'm sure she meant well.  But I wondered to myself if she was right. I have to admit. I'm doing just about everything I want to do now. I am active. I rode my bike 45 miles over the past three days. I get all my chores done without effort. And most of all, I feel great.  But my  doctor says I need to lose at least thirty more pounds to be healthy.

I used to be one of those people who would pick and choose which of my doctor's orders to follow.  Including ignoring his suggestion of weight loss surgery. When my doc told me to start going to the gym and doing weights to improve my upper body strength, I told him that the gym was too boring. But I joined a gym, and now go at least five days a week. And I actually enjoy it. I also look and feel better.

I wonder if the people who tell me to stop losing weight, are the same type of people who told me I didn't need weight loss surgery? 

They were wrong.  These people may be wrong too.

I admit it..I have large feet.. But not as large as they used to be.  When I weighed more than 500 pounds... my feet, ankles and legs were swollen, I had to wear a size 16 EEEEE width shoe. (usually with Velcro straps because I could hardly bend over long enough to tie shoes).  Now that I have lost weight.. I wear a size 15 EEE.. AND I can easily slide my feet into those shoes and TIE them.

Also I rode 22 miles on my bicycle today... and spent a half hour in the gym on circuit training.. AND shopped at five stores.  Then I took my wife's bike seat into the shop for repair. (NO CHARGE.. BONUS!) I also bought some food for my wife and I at a restaurant. I only ate half of the portion.. TOO BIG. I'll eat the rest tomorrow.

Tonight, my wife and I are going to a movie.. And unlike the old days.. I have no worries about fitting into the theater seat.

Isn't life great?

It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half since my bypass. I seem to be settling into my new lifestyle.
I can eat more than the early days of surgery, but get full fast.. so I still try to eat protein first.  And I do pretty well at not drinking liquids too close to my meals. It kind of becomes a habit out of necessity. 

I had to learn the hard way that my new digestive system still doesn't like sugary foods. I ate some icing  from a cake the other day.... I became very tired, sluggish, my stomach was upset. It was not a pleasant experience.  I am actually at a point that experimenting with high carb foods like that is pointless.

But I now prefer a salad with avocado, light dressing, chicken (which I still must eat slowly or risk getting it "stuck" in my chest) 

I eat out at restaurants.. but order smaller portions.. It's been a slow process.. but slowly I am learning NOT to resent the fact that I can no longer go to an "all you can eat" buffet.  If a portion is too large.. I take it home to eat sometime later.

I actually like to exercise. I never thought that would happen.

Even during the winter months, I ride a stationary bike in the gym or a real bike for at least 45 minutes three or four times a week.
I do upper body and other work during circuit training three times a week in the gym.  I am making slow, but sure progress. Maybe I'm even learning a little patience... which has never been one of my virtues.

My shoulder and arms are bigger, but my waist is still the same 32 inches. The scale read 232 on Monday.  Doc still says I need to be under 200.. so that.. and losing some inches on the waist is a goal I look forward to reaching this spring and summer. (A good excuse to ride my bicycle more!-- as if I need an excuse)

Making the decision to lose weight and supplement that loss with WLS is the best thing I have done for myself since getting married to my beautiful wife.