Laughing At My Pre-Surgery Self

[MowryRocks 679]

I've been around for a bit, so I thought I would give you all a little insight into the insane inner working of my brain. I was sleeved on 10/26/2016, but in my previous incarnation, I was a nearly 300lb woman who when fed up with her situation, got her feelings hurt, and turned to the interweb of strangers to share my journey. Yes...a blogger. I blogged for years about losing the same 25-30lbs over 7 years, cried about injustices, shared my victories and my disdain for WLS. I love/loved my blog. I met amazing people and while I lost very little weight over the years, there were changes to mindset...some major, some still a work in progress.

Today, I ran across an old post from 01/09/2012 called Things I HATE About People. Five years later and 59lbs down, I had a good laugh.

Anyway, take a read if you're so inclined.

Ok, Ok...so PEOPLE is a pretty broad term and to be honest...if this list were really about all people...it would be pretty detailed, less of a blogpost, and more of a series of blogposts. Or...a blog all in itself.

This is just about people when it comes to weight loss and more specifically MY weight loss or journey thereof...

To be fair, I am going to tell you straight out of the gate that I am guilty of some of these things. After all...I'm a people too!

People who tell you the "BEST WAY" to lose weight.
The problem I see with most of these people in my life is that they are always standing by and waiting to tell me that the best way is this new gimmick diet that someone who they know has a brother whose wife has an uncle whose cousin lost a lot of weight eating nothing but pickles and beer after 3pm. (This is not a real diet) (I hope). The fact of the matter is that we all already know the best way to lose weight is to decrease calories, make healthier choices, and work your ass off. The pickle and beer diet is only good for finding yourself drunk in an alley stinking of beer and vinegar. Not Good.

People who try to push you to weight loss surgery.
For those of you who are in an overweight or a "low" obese range...you may not see this one enough to get where I am coming from, but for a person who is 5'1" and 300lbs wearing her "sarcophagus" like a crown...I see this one more than I can stand. In one breath the person will be talking about my strength and determination. How they know that I am capable of soo many things and then they suggest that I lop off half my stomach if I really want a shot at losing weight. Wow....now I totally believe all the things you said about me before that (please note sarcasm). Not only do you people piss me off, but when I lose this weight through sheer will and determination...I will find you. I will have had less Cookies by that time, so my mood will be questionable.

People who suggest that weight loss surgery is the "easy road".
Please note my above passage. I never said that I thought it was easy...I said that it is not for me and I hate when people assume that I can't do it without the help of surgeon and scalpel. I personally have checked it out. I have sat through seminars that have discussed all the options. I have talked to doctors, I have set appointments, but in the end I don't believe it is the right step for me. In fact...I think it may be harder than what I am doing now. My weight gain is a product of an emotional disorder. Creating "Frankenstomach" or naming it "Carrie Bradshaw" and dressing it in a fashionable "belt" doesn't fix that for me. I fail on this plan, but if I fail on that plan...I could die. Literally die. I refuse to let my tombstone say "Here lies Christie" followed by "Those damned mashed potatoes" If I eat them now...I regret it. I can LIVE with regret and move on.

People who fail to recognize ANY obesity as an eating disorder.
I believe that all eating disorders are emotional disorders. If I binge eat...its for the same reason that someone who is bulemic binge eats. I just HATE throwing up. I have the same body issues as a person who is anorexic, but starving myself to get the result they get will take time and unless you are a newcomer to this blog, you know that I have issues with follow through. (I am not condoning any of these disorders as a legitimate way of losing weight, but merely saying I can relate). I have an effed up relationship with my mom, I have an effed up relationship with my dad, I have an effed up relationship with my sisters, why should my relationship with food be any less effed up. I don't know one person who is overweight who thought, "Gee...I have nothing else to do today, why not make everything in my life HARDER"

People who think they can change a person by pointing out that they are fat.
They already know, thanks for pointing it out, Captain Obvious. Have you seen the sky today...its blue. People know they are fat. This is not an appropriate way to handle any situation. If you think it is, consider this is probably the reason that you do not have many friends. Pointing out someone's flaws or hurdles that they have to jump is not the best way to get them motivated to change themselves. Listen closely...you can not motivate anyone to do anything. The motivation has to come from within. If you care about someone and you have the type of relationship where you can have those kinds of conversations, then tell them that you are concerned, reassure them that you care about them and offer to support them if they decide to do something about it. Even Biggest Loser trainer, Bob Harper relayed a story about his sister and how he reaches all these people, but he just can't reach her. He can only be her brother...not her salvation. Remember, just because you are ready for them to make a change, doesn't mean they are. If you care for someone, you care for them no matter what. There is your free "Life Lesson" for the day, courtesy of me.

Food and/or workout judges
This is not the first time I have talked about food judges, but I find myself wanting to do this more and more. I guess it may be because I am finding success with what I am eating and I want to share my success, but being a victim of it. I know there is a right way and a definitive wrong way.
I try to NEVER randomly judge food on someone else's plate, but in all honesty..it happens. Just the other day, I was in a restaurant with a friend and she had Bread...lots of bread. cheese and Potato Soup. chicken Tenders, a baked potato, all melty with butter and sour cream. (lo I have to admit. I saw her, I saw what she was eating and I thought, "remember when...." (mostly I was jealous...lol). I did have a twinge of sadness for her, because I was transferring feelings about myself onto her. NEVER EVER EVER, did I think about saying anything. It is not my place. If she had asked me for tips, about my weight loss journey, or to analyze her food then I would have gladly suggested swaps and told her what I find is the best way to make changes without feeling like I'm cheating myself. But she didn't so I sat silent. The point is that all people are not armed with the knowledge that you have and your knowledge is limited by your experience. If your knowledge is welcomed then share it. If you are not sure...say nothing until you are. Change is a delicate process in the fabric of one's life. Don't pull the loose string that causes it to unravel. Same for working out. Sometimes people are doing all they can do. It may be the first time they have made it to the gym. If you see them struggling and you start thinking negative thoughts, then you need to rearrange your thinking. At least they are there making an effort.

The point is...become a support to those who are trying (even if you see the flaws in their thinking), life has enough road blocks that there doesn't need to be another you-shaped one in their path.

Today's spark: Kicking my roadblocks in the peas!

[LIA-70 136]

Lol. Loved ur old blog. Laughed a bit reading it (which hurt as im 5 day post op sleeve) as i can relate n can hear me say some of the same things. Took me 5 yrs and 50 more pounds total 242 to finally decide to do this. Glad u did it on your own time too, when u were freaking ready too. Good luck on your journey. Look fwd to reading more of ur blogs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

[TinyLittleFractures 33]

It's adorable and sounds very sincere. I like the bit about mashed potatoes being lethal post surgery. I'm glad you're happy with the surgery and your weight loss. I'm even happier you're happy.