Visualizing Weight Loss Success
December 2, 2013“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
Often attributed to the 5th Century BCE Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, I first heard this quote from my USMC(R) father when I was struggling with my weight in high school. I was a newly minted freshman on the school wrestling team, and, as I got on the scale for the weigh-in, Coach said to me, “Metz, when are you gonna lose that baby fat?”
‘Frank,’ the freshman in line behind me replied, “Coach, that ain’t baby fat, it’s SUPER fat!”
I was mortified by Frank’s comment. I knew I was heavy, but I had never had anyone label me so openly. I was stunned into silence. Fortunately, the weigh-in was at the end of practice, so, after changing my clothes and gathering my books, I walked the 1.2 miles back to my house, slowly building up an internal response to the very external manifestation of who I had become. By the time my key hit the lock of my front door, I was determined to never be heavy again. I had cemented a vision in my head of success, of conquest, and of what I was going to make of myself.
Hungry from a long day at school, followed by wrestling practice and the walk home, I went to the fridge, where I would normally grab a half gallon of orange juice, and the fixings for a large bowl of walnuts, chocolate chips, and raisins. Instead, I took out an apple, and a bottle of water. I sat down at the table, rather than in front of the television, ate my snack, then went upstairs to do my homework.
Two hours later, when my family began to trickle home for the night, we had a filling dinner, warranting me to no longer be hungry for dessert, and I went back to my studies. Finished for the night, I went to bed and considered that quote I had heard so frequently by my father whenever things got tough:
“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
My family had never chastised me for my weight. In fact, coming from their poor, post-WWII background, I was always encouraged to eat more. But I had developed a vision. A vision of a Matt that was not heavy, that was not afraid to go to the pool, and that was comfortable in my own skin, instead of cringing at the thought of being ridiculed for my weight.
It has been a lifelong battle. I continued to see that fat kid in the mirror every time I passed my reflection, but I soldiered on. I went from the wrestling team to several other athletic endeavors, always working very hard to make healthy food choices, to avoid high-calorie beverages, and to make exercise a fixed practice.
I continue to struggle today. Two weeks ago, we had a photo shoot for the Bariatric Program at one of the hospitals, and I was asked to bring in a white coat. The only white coat I had was from my residency, when I was working around 100 hours per week, eating whatever I could grab in a hurry, and barely exercising. I put on the coat and realized that I have gone from a size 44 in my Chief Residency year, to a 38 since moving to Colorado. Here, I have made exercise, sleep, and healthy food choices a priority. I have cemented that vision of a healthy Me at the forefront of my mind. Weight will always be a battle for some of us; but the visualization of a goal, and the desire to be something are the critical tools for success.
My patients come to me wanting to lose weight for various reasons: A spouse or family member is worried about them. They want to live long enough to be around for their kids and grandkids. They feel discriminated against at work. Their Primary Care Provider (PCP) told them they have to lose weight. While all of my patients have a great reason for wanting to lose weight, the ultimate reason must be that they themselves want to change.
Weight loss surgery, in the right hands, is the most powerful, long-term effective treatment we have to fight the obesity epidemic. But, without appropriate lifestyle changes, the same problems that I face with increased stress and scheduling demands, are stumbling blocks for my patients. Family members get sick, relationships end, financial turmoil occurs, but if you lose sight of your goal, you will revisit your previous habits, and the weight will return, leaving you in an inferior position to combat those stressors.
Make healthy food choices, avoid the easy way out with fast food, make exercise to your target heart rate a fixed practice! Above all, visualize where you want to be, and never let go of that vision!
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Matthew Metz, MD, FACS is a board-certified, Cleveland Clinic trained, Bariatric Surgeon practicing with the Denver Center for Bariatric Surgeryin Colorado. Dr. Metz has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries and is well known in the area for his kind demeanor, technical proficiency, and compassionate bedside manner.Read more articles by Dr. Matthew Metz! |
