Why do you eat?

That should be an easy answer.  We eat to fuel our body... or we should, anyway.  With so much food readily available to us today, we eat for many more reasons.

This is one of the things you have to evaluate before weight loss surgery.  A psychological evaluation is required by most insurance companies and/or doctors.

The common misconception is that once you have WLS, you are "fixed."  Your issues with food go away.  This is so far from the truth.  Most people's reasons for being overweight has nothing to do with fueling their body.  I still crave things I shouldn't have and I still get "the munchies."

I am an emotional eater - happy, sad, excited, depressed, nervous - you name it and I can eat my way through it.  Since WLS, I've had to find other ways to deal with my emotions.

I also eat out of boredom.  I have to find ways to keep my mind and hands busy or I will mindlessly eat.  Rarely do I sit and watch tv.  I'll watch tv while surfing the internet or playing a game on my phone.  But just sitting - can't do it.

I also love to read.  I can get caught up in the story line of a book and forget about what's going on around me.  This keeps my mind busy and can be an outlet to soothe emotions.

Exercise is a great solution - if I exercised regularly.  Still got to work on that one...

4 Months Out

Four months ago today, I had radical surgery - gastric bypass.  At times, I still can't believe I went through with it.  In four months, I have lost 65 pounds and down several dress sizes.  I've gone through more clothes in the last four months...  Every few days, I try on what's in my closet to see if it still fits - sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Every few days, I go to the closet in the spare bedroom and try on clothes to see if they fit yet - sometimes yes, sometimes no.

How do I feel? Great. Excellent. Energized.  I could go on... Today, I cleaned the entire house, washed/dried/folded clothes, went grocery shopping... and still had energy!  I am not utterly exhausted.  Cleaning was fairly easy without the spare tire (tractor tire) around my middle.  I've gone up and down the stairs today and was barely winded.  My legs didn't burn.  I was even able to "run" up the stairs.

All that in 4 months.  Amazing.

Would I do it again?  In. A. Heart. Beat.

:-)

What's your number now?

That's what my mom asks me every couple of weeks - what's your number now?  Meaning - how much weight have you lost?  61 pounds.... in 3 1/2 months! Yea, me!

Some people are really offended this question.  People are amazed at how fast weight loss surgery (WLS)patients lose weight.  They can't believe how much we lose in such a short amount of time.  Honestly, I find it hard to believe and I'm living it. However, I don't find the question offensive.  It's a badge of honor.  I say it with a smile on my face.always.

Now, don't ask me my what my weight is or how much I weighed at the beginning of this process.  I'll share that one day, but for now, it's.none.of.your.business.  I think that goes for most women :-)   I pack a lot in this 5' 3.5" frame - not as much now, but still more than necessary.

The next comment is usually something like, "well, you look great... not that you didn't before, but you know what I mean."  Yes, I know what you mean.  I always follow up with "I feel great."  I mean, isn't that what's really important?  Being healthy, feeling good and having energy is fantastic!  Of course, fitting in clothes that I haven't worn in YEARS is awesome.  Not having to shop in the "big girl" sizes is awesome.  Knowing that my husband can put his arms all the way around me is awesome.  And knowing he can now pick me up, if needed, is awesome.

I have about 33 pounds to go before I reach my goal.  The weight is coming off a little slower than I'd like, but it's been "hellish" hot.  Exercise has never excited me, but in this heat... forgettaboutit.  Plus, my new bike had a flat tire.  Really.flat.tire.  Like, 1 minute after pumping it up, it's flat again.  So, I have a new tube in the tire and now waiting for afternoon storms to pass.  I know, I could be exercising inside. Who wants to do that?