This Week's Episode of "The Flatulent and the Restless"

This has been a very strange week for me on the internal dialogue front.  Yesterday I was full of silly musings about my youthful aspirations to be a world champion crepitator.  Earlier this week and again today I have been trying to sort out why I have been feeling so restless.  Initially I thought it was a bit of giddiness associated with the onset of spring after a long, cold winter here in Minnesota, but it is more than that. 

I have so much energy these days that I am not content to spend most of my evenings watching TV or reading a book.  Taking a walk after supper helps, I guess, yet it does nothing to shorten the ever lengthening list of things that I want to DO rather than just dream about.  The obvious problem, of course, aside from budgetary constraints, is that I have spent so many years NOT doing active things that the important people in my life have become content to not doing active things, either.

I can see how this newfound energy and pent-up interest in constantly doing active things could cause some serious tension at home.  Have any of  you experienced this conundrum of improving your health and liveliness only to find that the change is not entirely welcome?  If so, what have you done to work through it?

RP

Elmer,

I don't really have advice for you, just support.......

My hubby is so thrilled that I want to get out and do things, we have summer plans already for hiking & camping. Were also considering doing a Boundary Waters trip....

We don'****ch TV either, the only show's we do watch is Survivor and Biggest Looser. Otherwise the TV is off and were doing family stuff, even if it's a puzzle race......

Have you tried talking to Shirley or family members? If they will not do active stuff with you maybe you could consider joining a gym, or getting involved with community Ed. activities, like basketball for men over 30, or softball, raquetball?

Hiking is so much fun, and you get to enjoy the outdoors......I really hope that your family will try to be more active with you........

Just know I'm always here for you......Kelly

Kelly:

Thanks for your kind words and support.......they mean a lot to me.  We have tentative plans for a family hiking trip on the Superior Hiking Trail and I desperately want to go back up to the Boundary Waters....I feel so at peace there.

RP/Elmer

You ever played Racquetball?  If not, wanna learn?  Do you have a YMCA membership?

Oh btw, ANYONE reading this can reply.....

Thanks!  I may take you up on that offer, but I haven't played for 20 years and I don't have a YMCA membership.  I wasn't any good at it 20 years ago, either, but I could hit the ball hard.

RP

Paul,

I still am up for raquetball sometime.......Maybe we could get 4 of us and play doubles?

Kelly

I've noticed some of my friendships and friends drifting away because of two reasons...one, I just don't want to sit around and drink and laugh and watch QVC anymore, and two, I don't want to only "go out to eat someplace".  I can walk by myself, but I don't want to; it would be more fun to have someone to walk with.  Two of my best friends are heavy and they don't like to walk, they will for awhile but you have to endure moaning and complaining.  They also tend to like to eat at buffets.  More and more, they go out and leave me behind.

It may sound like I'm whining, but I do miss their friendships, but it's hard to turn around their lifestyle to fit mine now.  And by no means are they interested in my WLS lifestyle.

So I guess, yes, I have experienced that sort of change happening....it's a whole new dynamic.

What have I done....not much, except walk by myself  (or with Linda) but the weathers got to get nicer!!

I'm still very early in to the process but have realized a new sense of energy that helps me somewhat identify with what you're saying.  What seems weird to me is that I always felt kind of "left out" from many activities because my friends/colleagues were doing physical things that I couldn't do or was afraid/too lazy to try.  Now, when I suggest activities or try to involve them in things, it seems like they aren't motivated.  "Oh, that sounds like fun" but then they never get around to committing to anything. Sometimes I feel like a kid who is just discovering the playground after everyone else has grown up.  Make sense?   

I know what you mean RP. People don't really expect a lot of things to change in life after your WLS... and when things do, they don't know how to handle it. I guess the best way to handle it is to either try to convince those in your family how it would benefit them to go do what you want... or just find great friends (like us perhaps?) that will go out and do things with you! This past summer a group of us went out to Valleyfair and other places... hopefully it'll be the same this year around. I can't wait to experience what summer has to offer at this weight!! 

I can TOTALLY relate to this one, Rick.  I've never been much of a TV person, but since WLS, the only thing I watch with any regularity is the news.  In the morning as I get ready for work, maybe at dinner time, and the 10pm news as I get ready for bed (DEAR GOD, I HAVE BECOME MY PARENTS!!!)  Aside from the news, I'd be surprised if I spend more than one hour over the course of a week watching television.

I never seem to run out of things to do - housework, errands, kid stuff... nor do I seem to run out of FUN stuff to do with all my "former fattie" friends (the affectionate term my family gives to me and all my WLS friends!).  The conflict comes when my family gets a little tired of or fed up with all the stuff I do with said friends.  I try to combine family and friends whenever it's appropriate, and my hubby and kids have grown to love MANY of you (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!)

It IS hard to find a balance between living the life you are now able to live, while not alienating those who knew you "when"...  It takes effort, and communication, and enough love for yourself to know you NEED to move ahead with this new lifestyle!  Why lose all the weight and regain your health if you can't enjoy it?