Did obesity rob you of your Dreams???

~I am sure there are other things... but this is the one that is most current I suppose. Plenty of others I am sure I gave up on and forgot.~



You know that is probably so true! I think a lot of us have gotten so used to being treated differently and missing out on things that we either cant remember them all............or maybe even have tried to  block them out. :-(

Yep, its our brain's way of coping with things that make us unhappy. We really do get used to being treated like subhumans so much that we just decide we cant do th things we thought we could or hoped to do.

I am trying to get myself out of that mindset. Reminding myself how worth it I am, and How successful I can be in aspects of my life.

If I lost some dreams, I think at least I have gained a better understanding of myself as I am embarking on this journey! 1 more week!

Good luck next week! Wish I had gone with VSG also! Keep us updated.

I don't know if obesity robbed me of any dreams or if I let fear stop me. I certified as a cardio kickboxing instructor and as a cardio hip hop instructor for Group Exercise in 2004, long before I had surgery. I went out to clubs and dated. Yet, there were times, I would notice people staring at me because of my size and it would get to me. So was it fear or fat? Was it a combo of both? Probably the latter more than the former. 

I am totally aware that there were things I physically couldn't do because of my size. After surgery, I changed that. My surgeon said, "Go work out."  I chose one of the most physically demanding workouts and challenged myself in every class to just get a bit further, do a bit more... in time it will come. I have built significant muscle mass and it has paid off. WLS got the fat off, but my fierce self-competitiveness and striving to always do and be more helped me kick all my fears to the ground.

Now, I perform on the aerial hoop, doing tricks that scare my instructors (I created a drop move into another more difficult move that neither instructor will try). I'm working on a move that my favorite hoop instructor stuggles with but I can do more easily because my balance is perfect.

I perform on the aerial pole, climbing 15 feet into the air and contorting upside down, sometimes held on the pole by small patches of skin. I love doing moves today that even 3 months ago were still physically impossible. It's exhilarating and my upper body strength is mega-phenomenal. My abs are so strong now and I never thought that would happen. I've got a better body now than I did as a high school cheerleader. 

The high level of physical intensity has given me an RMR + daily expenditure calorie intake of 3,000 kcal. That means as long as I eat less than 3k calories a day, I will lose or maintain my weight. That just rocks. Now my metabolism zips and I don't have to diet. I just eat healthy and get as much protein in as I can since that keeps my muscles fueled to do even more tricks.

I let my inner circus child out to play, every day. I'm 49 and can do the splits and am working on my straddle splits. I've lost over 200 pounds and have less bat wings than a few of my surgery buddies who have lost half that amount. Hauling my own body weight up a pole, onto a hoop or into a silk tissue hammock has paid off tremendously. The best part is that I love it so much, it's not exercise to me. It's Cirque play and I'm doing it. 

Wow, congrats on the new circus act! ;-)

no, I used obesity as an excuse is all. what a waste of time that was.

I think that can be part of it. It works both ways though. Like not getting a job because you your weight. That happens all the time. Unfortunately that type of discrimination seems to be quite legal! :-(

 That is what I was thinking....

Saying that "obesity robbed me of anything" feels very powerless to me.

I will say that "I gave too much of my life and my dreams to obesity".

The day I decided to have surgery was the day that I decided to not let morbid obesity have one more day of my life.

Congrats on your new life! :-)