HERO_XXL
Hello all, and welcome...to my profile. As you can see, I've been a member of OH since May 1st, 2006 and up until today, have NOT added ANY info to my profile, DESPITE numerous requests to do so. For those of you that suggested, you have my sincere apologies--I'm now aware that my journey may give encouragement to others, and for that reason, I've finally decided to contribute. Now...how does one go about doing so?
My situation with my weight isn't one that has plagued me for my entire life. It wasn't until the last 4 years or so when it became...out of control, for lack of a better term. In retrospect, I now see that my weight had always been tied to my emotional state. Why I failed to see that earlier is STILL a mystery. Nevertheless, I'm aware of it NOW--and I have made it an ISSUE to be aware of it from now on. My weight was never really problematic for me--even health-wise, I can't really say that I suffered as a result. Of course, things are better now, but if I were to say that I had specific health complications, (ones I was aware of, that is) I'd be misleading you. Socially--My weight didn't deter me from anything or anyone -- and physically, I STILL set out to do whatever I wanted to do. HOWEVER--again, I'd be misleading if I sounded as if everything was "peaches and cream" because it truly wasn't--but this, you have to understand, is my reporting AFTER my weight loss surgery.
The day before my surgery was my highest weight : 329 lbs. (This was because I subconsciously aspired to EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT after being given a surgery date!) At the time, my weight hovered at or around 310 or so. I had always been of a stocky nature, so I never saw myself as really being "overweight", per se.
Weight loss to me wasn't really something that I failed at. Keeping it off for an extended period of time was what proved to be most difficult. At one time, the most I lost was about 80 lbs, all through diet and exercise--and I would follow the same routine--go shopping, slowly pack the weight back on, lose it, go shopping again. (who am I kidding? I shopped all the time!) However, no matter what the scale had to say, I still set out to live my life to the fullest, and I can safely say that nothing has changed since then.
I opted to undergo the surgery simply because:
a.) I was getting older and losing the weight had gotten more and more difficult as time passed,
b.)The amount of "free time" I had that I once utilized to go to the gym had decreased drastically since the birth of my baby girl and...
c.) a close friend of mine had undergone the surgery and I was COMPLETELY AMAZED by the outcome. Yes, it was a drastic measure (especially for someone who had no problem losing weight before) but then again, I'd been KNOWN to take drastic measures, so I decided to throw my hat into the ring. I applied, was approved and before I knew it, I was dry heaving in between "laps" of the hospital floor.
I'd be lying if I reported any major complications--within 4 months, I had lost 100 lbs., and it was THEN that I realized how the weight had a negative effect on my health. Since then--I've made a personal promise to self to adhere to my "new" lifestyle. For me, my loved ones and...fashion designers, one day sales, clothing outlets...(you get the picture, don't you?!)
Okay--I'm currently a social worker, working with the homeless, substance abusing population. This is only what I do for 40 SET HOURS a week. Friday at 5 o'clock is when I forget EVERYTHING associated with the job, and Monday at 9 o'clock is when I start to remember (and I DO MEAN "start to remember"!!) My lifestyle has always been one that has been quite active and i'm a TRUE BELIEVER in having a life OUTSIDE of a career. I keep active mainly because I HAVE to. (My mother attributes it to the West Indian blood flowing through these veins--if that is true, it's of no concern to me--it's how I've always been and how I'll stay for as long as I'm able.) I have TOO MANY hobbies and activities that range from being a graphic artist, to an aspiring actor (I'm out of retirement!) a jack of all trades, shopaholic, snowboarder, a writer, technological geek, full time student, full time father, etc.... All of which I did even PRIOR TO my weight loss surgery. The weight loss I've undergone this FINAL TIME AROUND hasn't CHANGED my life, you see--I would say it's ENHANCED it to a certain extent, but for the most part, I'm still Michael, just in disguise.
