Are You In This Just to Lose Weight?

I have been around for a while now. I have talked to many of you directly and hopefully was even helpful to one or two and I know I am the thorn in the side of others, but hey that's what makes us one big happy family, right?

Something I notice a lot is people thinking they can just have the surgery, lose some weight or get down to their surgeon's goal which is usually some weight that is still quite a way from being a healthy weight for someone's height and they are looking to return to the life they had before. I don't understand this mindset. I mean I do, but once you get going down this road, doesn't it really start to click for you?

"Hey, this is not about losing weight, its about becoming healthy!" Then even further down the road after your doctor is patting you on the back for getting your sugar down and you BP under control, you think "Hey this wasn't just about becoming healthy, this is about becoming fit!" I do see some of this but the ratio is something like 50% of the first and 10% (or less) of the second.

For me this is a mission. Right now you can barely tell I was ever fat (in clothes) but even in a bathing suit (board shorts) pulled to an appropriate height, you cannot tell I was ever fat. My face looks good (the last remnants of a double chin are almost gone), the board shorts high my sagging thighs, my shar pei ass, and the stretch marks on my lower abdomen as well as the (suprisingly small) flap of skin that used to be my gigantic 384lb gut.

Given that, am I done? No. Why? Because as I was laying in bed the other day I discovered that I actually have abs, yes the kind you see in many of the inspirational photos I post. Not a 6 pack yet because I have a mid-abdominal hernia that is preventing me from engaging those muscles in my ab workouts. But I have a 4 pack with two missing in the middle. I'll take it, for now. But my point was those abs, the fact that I can run over 3 miles, I can spend 2 to 4 hours a day in the gym without ending up in the hospital made me realize this is about becoming the best person I can be and I am the one who determines that.

Not sure I really had a point with this post, sort of a rant, so if that's how it read, I apologize, but hopefully you can see what is in store for you if you keep your eye on the prize!

Now off to the gym for some squats!

A very long time ago I was told that " where the eye is, so goes the person", and this very idea that what we focus on and desire is exactly what will manifest itself in reality and no more - or less, for that matter is real-true- and relevant to me.  Someone having wls to loose weight and then go back to eating the same way as before is not in tune with reality.  If your eye is on the food- so there you will go and reap the consequences of reality--weight gain.  As to how far this journey can take us--the sky and our vision, ability, determination, and discipline will determine.  For some of us the journey stops at weight, others, health, others, fitness, others improved relationships, quality of life, spiritual growth, self-actualization, ALL KINDS OF GROWTH- depending on what one is looking for! I am noone's holy spirit and cannot say what should be the end goal- that is the homework of each of us - to figure that out.  For myself, well---------there is always a new door to open.  I hope I have the courage to go through and explore those opportunities when (I am ready for them) and they present themselves.

Thanks for sharing Keith! I look forward to reading your posts. I always learn something new. My hubby and I went into this surgery because we want to get healthier so we can live longer together and actually "live" our lives. Of course we understand that in order to get healthier we have to lose weight. I haven't actually set a goal weight yet, because I mainly just want to be healthier and feel good.

So amazing, truly. I read as much as I can when you post and comment and really take it and think about it. I have a long ways to go with working on my 'excuses' but I have come so far especially with your help, advice, and encouragement. We all need this from someone.

I was talking to my aunt today about my BMI and we just started talking about my journey and how I now have 'a quality of life'. Before I felt like I didn't really have a quality of life. Now that things have changed so much and especially how all of a sudden going to a gym to help get healthier, I feel even more amazing as time goes on through this journey. At first I was happy, now I am EXTREMELY happy with changes. Can I eat some funnel cake? Absolutely. Will I? No. I don't need it, nor want it. I have been to street fairs recently and my family ordered funnel cake fried fresh hot and crispy with extra powdered sugar. I was offered it. It smelt good for 30 seconds. I just didn't want to have it. What's the point? Why come this far and ruin it?

I was starting to, and still catch myself thinking about, slipping back into old habits- mostly snacking between meals when I dont NEED to. Why go back? Now that I have been going to the gym- which I used to hate the gym pre op- obviously, I cant stop thinking about it when I miss a day or 2! I missed 2 days this week due to work and I drive past it on the way home from job2 at night before it closes and I just dread not turning into it to do my 60 minutes of workout time.

I had a family bbq this past weekend, I COULD HAVE had burger with a bun and munched on it, or a dog with a bun, mac salad, potato salad, all those carbs we all love/loved. Did I? No. I didn't go that far.

I don't have abs, I have a lot of flab on my stomach still and most I think wont ever go away or be flat unless I get plastics. Even though it's still flabby and not attractive, its SMALLER than it used to be. My wings (upper arms) are the same way. If I flap fast enough I can probably fly away. But they are smaller than they used to be and I will continue to work on them as much as possible. Even sitting at home for 10 minutes before bed I will do small hand weights. If I am sitting, why not? 

Overall it isnt a free for all WLS. We do the work to change, or it wont work. I now have a quality of life, I can run (only for 3 or 5 minutes) but I wasnt able to run for 10 years at first. Slowly we can change ourselves to be fit. It works and it's amazing.

YES!

Good stuff Keith. 

My WL vision continues to change as I move down this path and I have not even had the surgery yet!  I can only imagine what my new visions will be after surgery. 

I have ALWAYS said that I want to be fit! That is what I am working towards! Along with the weight loss. 

I did this primarily to be and stay healthy. Now I'm also able to move my body in ways I couldn't before. Jumping, running, kicking without feeling like I'm going to pass out and die lol. It's a wonderful feeling and I beginning to feel free in my body if that makes any sense.

Great post, Keith!

Since you asked, I'm trying to save my life and have one.  The very fleeting pleasure derived from eating crap food pales in comparison.  No one is more surprised about that than I am.