An Open Letter to Those that Think I Took "THE EASY WAY OUT"

Five years ago, I began the journey to better health and fitness.  One of the educated decisions I made (after a year of research and soul searching) was to use weight loss surgery as a tool in the process. People who select weight loss surgery are often criticized for taking “the easy way out”.  I’m sorry, but I beg to differ.

I use a car to get to work every single day.  I COULD walk, bike or run, but I drive.  I guess I take THE EASY WAY OUT.  I go to the doctor when I’m sick and get a prescription for the medicine I need.  I COULD just wait it out, but I guess I take THE EASY WAY OUT and get medical assistance. God forbid, if I had cancer, I’d have chemo or radiation as prescribed by my medical team. Is that THE EASY WAY OUT? I cook my meals in a microwave or on a stove.  I COULD build a fire, but alas, I TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT.   These are smart decisions………JUST LIKE WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY. Since when is the “hard” way the RIGHT WAY?  Seriously, isn’t it smarter to do things the easy way?

There is nothing easy about weight loss surgery, or the rest of your life after it.  I put my life on the line to have a major surgical procedure that could give me a shot at reaching a healthy weight and a fit life IF I change FOREVER.  When you see me at a party in a cute little dress, toned arms exposed, laughing it up, you might think “***** took the easy way out”.  Well, I didn’t see you at the boot camp classes I attended this week, and I never passed you on any of my runs.  I didn’t happen to run into you at your several stops during the week at fast food restaurants ether because I DON’T GO THERE EVERY DAY. I also didn’t see you in any stairwell I climbed nor did I find your car in the BACK OF THE LOT when I went to get groceries. I couldn’t discuss all the TV shows you are into because I’m busy meal planning and working out when you are sitting on your ass watching TV for hours every single day.

You think my life is "easy" because I make it look easy.  I do not complain about the food restrictions I adhere to nor do I whine about exercising.  It is my life and part of who I am, so I MAKE IT SEEM EFFORTLESS.  So, please, don't be a hater when you see me at my best, living my life, appearing to be the "belle of the ball" because in reality, 80% of what you'd see me in during most weeks is sweaty workout gear, gross hair and no makeup........AND I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.

I have to make sure I take handfuls of vitamins every single day, get labs checked regularly and I have to eat on a specific schedule.  I’m not sure if when I’m old and in a home someone will make sure I still get what I need.  Of course, now I’ll have the option to GET OLD because I am healthy and FIT. I lost both of my parents way too early due to obesity related diseases that took them away far too soon.

So, respectfully, I made a decision to use a medical procedure to reclaim my health and save my life.  My decision, my business. Your opinion is neither required nor desired.

For the most part, I try to do things the easiest, most effective way possible. I don't understand why some people see to think it's best to do things the hardest possible way. I drive my car, use a washing machine, and cook in the microwave and on the stove, too.

I know, right?  It baffles me how many people throw this around (and generally speaking, they are miserable obese folks that do not have the option for WLS)....I don't really encounter negativity much....but I heard a discussion on TV the other day about WLS and this topic came up...so I thought I'd "unload" about it!!

We are smart!  I'll keep taking shortcuts..........I've built a career on it!

Sometimes people mistakenly think we get bonus points or something for suffering, for doing things the hard way, for not asking for help when we need it.  It just doesn't work that way.

Good note. Of course, NONE of us think you took the "easy way out".... we all are on that hard road :)

DEFINITELY worth it!

Thanks for making me smile!

R(amen)

I'm glad I was intelligent enough to take the easy way out - RNY for me has been a breeze - never before have I lost a ton of weight and kept it off for 9 years.

Yes, I eat well and yes, I exercise - WHATEVER THE WEATHER!   But I'm a happy, healthy, hot 50 year old living a great life.   Who knows what state I would have been in if I hadn't taken the easy way out all those years ago?

I have never moaned or whined about this surgery - I am sooo grateful that I had health insurance that paid tens of thousands of dollars for me to get this - and I have NEVER, for one second, regretted it!

Great post, Kim!

Totally AGREE!!!!

As far as losing weight I have been on most of the popular programs. Lost over 100 pounds 6 times. I never had a hard time losing the weight and it was pretty easy to me and a hell of a lot more comfortable. No barfing or getting sick when I ate to fast or too much and many other things that happen to us who have elected to take what they say is the Easy Way Out. No it is not easy it takes a lot of work and doing a specific diet routine just like many of the other programs. People who say this is the easy way out have just not done it yet, if they had they would know the truth. Just chalk it up to one more stupid comment by the uninformed.

I LOVE this!!!! Perfectly said!!!