People Magazine Annual Half Their Size Issue
Ever since I decided to have WLS, this annual issue from People has griped my butt because they insinuate that "we took the easy way out". Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of what these people accomplish. However, I do not think it is any easier to maintain significant weight loss after WLS, and WLS successes should be highlighted as well.
Back in September I sent a letter to the editor, and I thought I'd share with you--I never heard from them, but it made me feel better!
I have been a subscriber for several years and am always inspired by your annual weight loss edition “Half Their Size". I also read in the following issue the questions about why you don’t include a few people that changed their lives with weight loss surgery. If you plan on doing this type of issue again, I encourage you to reconsider your position. With obesity in America at an all time high, weight loss surgery is a viable option for many people and should not be viewed as “the easy way out". I was against weight loss surgery because honestly that is what I thought. Then I met a few people that had it and I realized just how much you have to put into it in order to be successful long term. And of course we can’t discount the success that Randy Jackson, Al Roker, Roseanne Barr, Star Jones, Sharon Osbourne and John Popper had with weight loss surgery! As a child of two super morbidly obese parents, I was super morbidly obese most of my adult life. I lost both of my parents at early ages due to obesity related diseases. High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis were just a few of the co-morbidities I had to look forward to if I didn’t change my life. I tried every diet in the book—and every exercise plan too, but failed each time regaining more than I’d lost. I did not want my life to end the same way as my parents did, so at the urging of my physician I researched weight loss surgery options. I am now a year and a half out from my gastric bypass surgery, in maintenance and enjoying a weight loss of 172 pounds (I’ve lost more than half my size!!). I am 2 pounds from “normal" on the lovely BMI charts. I run, hike, lift weights and truly love life everyday and appreciate the gift each day is. I realize many people do not do what they are supposed to do because they thought surgery was a “miracle cure". Please don’t penalize the successful weight loss surgery patients by excluding them from this inspiring issue. Just as Jenny Craig and Weigh****chers are important tools for weight loss, so is weight loss surgery for many of us. I have to put a lot of effort into making the right food choices and getting off the couch every day. There is nothing “easy" about the path I chose to good health—I just selected a tool that gave me a kick start and hopefully, with my diligence and dedication, a chance at long term good health. I’m including a few pictures so you can see how successful a weight loss surgery patient can be! The after picture is ½ way through a 20 mile hike!! I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Love the magazine, keep up the good work!
Back in September I sent a letter to the editor, and I thought I'd share with you--I never heard from them, but it made me feel better!
I have been a subscriber for several years and am always inspired by your annual weight loss edition “Half Their Size". I also read in the following issue the questions about why you don’t include a few people that changed their lives with weight loss surgery. If you plan on doing this type of issue again, I encourage you to reconsider your position. With obesity in America at an all time high, weight loss surgery is a viable option for many people and should not be viewed as “the easy way out". I was against weight loss surgery because honestly that is what I thought. Then I met a few people that had it and I realized just how much you have to put into it in order to be successful long term. And of course we can’t discount the success that Randy Jackson, Al Roker, Roseanne Barr, Star Jones, Sharon Osbourne and John Popper had with weight loss surgery! As a child of two super morbidly obese parents, I was super morbidly obese most of my adult life. I lost both of my parents at early ages due to obesity related diseases. High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis were just a few of the co-morbidities I had to look forward to if I didn’t change my life. I tried every diet in the book—and every exercise plan too, but failed each time regaining more than I’d lost. I did not want my life to end the same way as my parents did, so at the urging of my physician I researched weight loss surgery options. I am now a year and a half out from my gastric bypass surgery, in maintenance and enjoying a weight loss of 172 pounds (I’ve lost more than half my size!!). I am 2 pounds from “normal" on the lovely BMI charts. I run, hike, lift weights and truly love life everyday and appreciate the gift each day is. I realize many people do not do what they are supposed to do because they thought surgery was a “miracle cure". Please don’t penalize the successful weight loss surgery patients by excluding them from this inspiring issue. Just as Jenny Craig and Weigh****chers are important tools for weight loss, so is weight loss surgery for many of us. I have to put a lot of effort into making the right food choices and getting off the couch every day. There is nothing “easy" about the path I chose to good health—I just selected a tool that gave me a kick start and hopefully, with my diligence and dedication, a chance at long term good health. I’m including a few pictures so you can see how successful a weight loss surgery patient can be! The after picture is ½ way through a 20 mile hike!! I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Love the magazine, keep up the good work!
Kim - Love the reply! I bought the magazine last year and thought the same thing, even though I hadn't had surgery yet. This morning the editor and 3 of the featured people were on the Today Show and Matt made mention that none of the people had surgery, they did it the old fashioned way - with hard work! I was thinking, "What the heck?" I think what I do 4 or 5 times a week is hard work ;>)
HW 401/SDW 385/CW 247
I hear that all the time too ,,,LITTLE DO THEY KNOW that this is only a tool and it works fast and well the first two years.. Now seven years out it still works but not like in the beginning.
I have to exercise every day and WATCH what i eat now closer than ever. The only difference is that I now get full on alot less, HOWEVER , in a couple hours I can eat more so you have to be very careful or a person can become am all day grazer and the lbs come back ..
So, the easy way out theory is bull. Fast quick loss in the beginnning yes, long term we are like everyone else ..
Shirl
I have to exercise every day and WATCH what i eat now closer than ever. The only difference is that I now get full on alot less, HOWEVER , in a couple hours I can eat more so you have to be very careful or a person can become am all day grazer and the lbs come back ..
So, the easy way out theory is bull. Fast quick loss in the beginnning yes, long term we are like everyone else ..
Shirl
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