Sunday Morning Weigh-In
For the first time since high school, I weighed in at less than 300 pounds this morning. For me, that's a milestone achievement and reason to celebrate, especially since I graduated from high school more than 30 years ago.
You see, I've been "the fat kid" or "the fat guy" for as long as I can remember. From the husky boys' department at Sears to big and tall shops, all of my clothing has been oversized for as long as I can remember.
Diets came and went, but I remained big. It was the chronic story of the overweight: Lose 20, regain 30. I genuinely don't think thin people understand what goes on with heavy people, as it's not just a matter of deciding to eat less, then doing it. I equate it to a drug addict or alcoholic, where there's a chemical dependency or craving that just can't be satisfied with other things.
Fortunately, it all changed for me almost six months ago. On Feb. 23, 2005 I had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Since that time, I've lost more than 100 pounds. I can wear pants 14" smaller than before and my shirts have dropped three sizes. The way I've got it figured, I can stand to lose another 90 pounds before going into maintenance mode.
Before surgery, I was scared like never before. I had always thought it was too draconian a measure. After all, the surgery alters one's internal plumbing permanently, not to mention the changes in eating habits and other forced lifestyle changes.
Now that I'm almost six months out, I can laugh in the face of my fears. The changes have been fabulous. Food no longer rules my days like it once did. I can eat nearly anything I choose--but that's the operative word...choose...choose...choose. Instead of eating lots of junk in copious quantities, I now choose to eat healthier food, hopefully increasing my longevity. My diet is high in proteins and lower in carbs and fats than it used to be. Sweets used to be my downfall, but now they're largely "so what?"
Don't get me wrong. Food still has great cultural and social importance for me. I love an evening out with family or friends at a sushi bar, a great Thai restaurant or some other interesting place. Experimentation with new cuisines is as great as it ever was. The difference is that I no longer pig out. Little tastes here and there are enough to satisfy me.
My hope is that, in the next six months, I will continue to lose weight and get healthier and healthier. My friends tell me I look great, which is a wonderful ego boost. What I'm really doing it for, though, is my family and myself.
More later...
You see, I've been "the fat kid" or "the fat guy" for as long as I can remember. From the husky boys' department at Sears to big and tall shops, all of my clothing has been oversized for as long as I can remember.
Diets came and went, but I remained big. It was the chronic story of the overweight: Lose 20, regain 30. I genuinely don't think thin people understand what goes on with heavy people, as it's not just a matter of deciding to eat less, then doing it. I equate it to a drug addict or alcoholic, where there's a chemical dependency or craving that just can't be satisfied with other things.
Fortunately, it all changed for me almost six months ago. On Feb. 23, 2005 I had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Since that time, I've lost more than 100 pounds. I can wear pants 14" smaller than before and my shirts have dropped three sizes. The way I've got it figured, I can stand to lose another 90 pounds before going into maintenance mode.
Before surgery, I was scared like never before. I had always thought it was too draconian a measure. After all, the surgery alters one's internal plumbing permanently, not to mention the changes in eating habits and other forced lifestyle changes.
Now that I'm almost six months out, I can laugh in the face of my fears. The changes have been fabulous. Food no longer rules my days like it once did. I can eat nearly anything I choose--but that's the operative word...choose...choose...choose. Instead of eating lots of junk in copious quantities, I now choose to eat healthier food, hopefully increasing my longevity. My diet is high in proteins and lower in carbs and fats than it used to be. Sweets used to be my downfall, but now they're largely "so what?"
Don't get me wrong. Food still has great cultural and social importance for me. I love an evening out with family or friends at a sushi bar, a great Thai restaurant or some other interesting place. Experimentation with new cuisines is as great as it ever was. The difference is that I no longer pig out. Little tastes here and there are enough to satisfy me.
My hope is that, in the next six months, I will continue to lose weight and get healthier and healthier. My friends tell me I look great, which is a wonderful ego boost. What I'm really doing it for, though, is my family and myself.
More later...
posted by Joe Wollet at 6:35 PM
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