We are NOT normal...

And when I say WE I'm referring to those of US who are basically for lack of a better word ADDICTS...yup I said it I AM an addict and I called YOU one as well.  We are NOT normal so matter how much we WANT to be.  No matter how much weight we've LOST.  No matter how great we eat TODAY.  No matter WHATEVER you are thinking that MAKES you think you are NORMAL you just aren't.

I don't know about YOU but I've lost weight before and then my DRUG came back into my life and I gained it back....hmmm wonder if anyone else experienced that??  Just because an alcoholic is clean and sober for 2 years does that mean it's OK for him to have an "occassional" drink?  Do you really think the addiction is gone?

I was on the phone today with my good friend and we have our usual weight related convo and in that convo she shared she was up about 10-15lbs from her low.  I shared I was up 10lbs but AGAIN giving up the TON of carbs and alcohol I WAS consuming and I'm down 5 of those and I was like we just are NOT normal and YES many of us are ADDICTS...the only difference between us and DRUG addicts is that they aren't SURROUNDED by their drug of choice.  They don't have to sit down EVERY day at EVERY meal and make nicey nicey with their drug.  And we do!!  I'm 40 years old and while I have never personally been exposed to say an alcoholic I have seen "movies" and the like and I remember when an alcoholic falls off the wagon it's due to that first DRINK...just one and often they don't have a problem drinking again until BAM they have a problem.

This is what I'm telling my girl cause I MAINTAINED my weight for a year and I was eating carbs until this year and BAM I'm gaining weight.  Why cause after awhile of eating like a "normal" person my ADDICTIVE person took over and said ONE was ok so let's have TWO, or wait THREE would be real nice!!

I told my girlfriend who lives with a "normie" that it's interesting cause if she were an alcoholic I'm SURE she wouldn't be ok with them buying alcohol and leaving it around or crack or a little herion.  But it's TOTALLY ok to buy chips and bread and ice cream etc to have on HAND for our husbands, wives, children etc and we'll just have to DEAL with having that STUFF in the house.

WLS is so NOT the answer or the cure.  Just because my stomach is smaller does NOT mean I'm not an addict.  Just because I can't eat a DOZEN doughnuts does NOT mean I can eat 1 an hour.  I am constantly surrounded by my friends who have lost weight thought they were normal and then BAM.

Where am I going with this post...as always I am wherever my posts take me and hopefully it resonates with someone.  So I've CLEANED out my house and PURGED it again.  If the people in MY life need their drug they'll have to find it on the streets cause for the interest of MY healthy I can't KEEP allowing those foods BACK in. 

I must must MUST keep reminding myself... I'm an ADDICT and I'll always be one.  I am NOT normal, but I look GOOD!!

MS Shell

Thank you. I'm saving this for my family (especially my sister that always wants to bring carbs into my home). You've said something really important.

Ms Shell,

Bravo for your post. For me the only normal that I know is the setting on a washing machine.

Sue

Yes, you are SO right, as usual. I have some cupboard cleaning to do as well.
Lizanne

I really think of it more then just addiction.  Addiction is a disease, but obesity is a disease the comingles with addiction...but not just addiction.  You know what I mean?  For you though, dealing with an addiction will help you get back on track and it might be the biggest issue you are struggling with.   I guess I think it isnt always the biggest or only issue.

I have been saying for a while that obesity is a chronic disease.  We cant win.  We cant be cured.  And the VSG is only one tool in the fight to keep this disease under control.  But if we are a bmi of 58 or a BMI of 19, we are obese.  We have that disease.  Just cause an asthmatic isnt wheezing at the moment doesnt mean they dont have asthma anymore, you know?

So I totally agree, even looking smoking hot, we arent normal.  Even with all the skin removed, we are still obese.

This is why I am so keen on addressing childhood obesity.  If a child is obese then they never got the chance to live life without this disease.  Sure, maybe a thin child will still become obese as an adult.  But maybe not.  If they arent given the chance to avoid it if they are obese by age 5 (like I was).  And then they have their life time to live with it as a chronic disease.

Oh definitely and like I used the alcoholic as am example, while he might not be drinking doesn't mean he's not an alcoholic.  I would have to educate myself on what makes a disease a disease.  For instance I remember eating a white powdered donut when I was young and OMG after that I was hooked...but not every person that eats a donut FEELS the same way.  And while everyone has cancer genes not everyone gets cancer, etc etc.

There is something about addicts that makes them addicts.  I don't nearly feel the same way about alcohol, marijuiana, or uppers that I do about FOOD.  And vice versa for many other addicts.  NOW many addicts of ONE thing when turning away from that find addictions elsewhere which is why TRANSFER addictions are so prevelant in WLS folks.  I also know a few former "drug" addicts who gained weight after they sobered up, etc etc.

The bottom line whether obesity is an addiction, a disease or we like green eggs and ham for MANY of us just loosing the weight and YES looking fabulous (although I ALWAYS looked fabulous) doesn't mean we can now have a "normal" relationship with food or that we are now normal.  It just means for THIS moment in time ONE day we are good.

I want to have children one day and I WILL whether by birth or adoption and I wanted to get healthier before having them as to NOT continue the vicious cycle BUT being at a healthy weight is but ONE aspect, cause again genetically or mentally or whateverly I am NOT normal.  My brother and I grew up in the same house with the same triggers and the same biological parents.  I am fat he is not and never has been while I have been fat since at least 7 years old.  Now while I will have children what's the answer to help them...just educate them on the "right" foods or when age appropriate about the addictive nature of things like food and alcohol and drugs.  I remember having drug education classes but nothing on food being a drug also?

Anyway whatever IT is...makes US different.

Hey did you see my "why do we give candy to kids" post?  Cause I am 100% with you.  Candy is such a drug!  I mean, there is a whole range of unhealthy foods.  But candy?  No one thinks there is anything good about it.  But we sure feel good giving it to kids.  People say moderation is the key.  but who gives beer to kids in moderation?  No one.  Cause they know its purpose is not needed for kids and it isnt good for them.  I dont get why our whole society feels different about candy.  Its like oral masterbation

No I didn't see the post and OMG you are so freaking right!!  It's ok to give a kid some cake, candy, etc but God forbid a "drug" in moderation!!

Shell,

Hallelujah! I was just visiting here in the USA for 5 days and I am up 3lbs..why?? because there is crap everywhere calling my name...ooohh a krispy creme...ooohh a heath bar...ooh a margarita..and boom I am up.

I am an addict and I need to go back to the jungle to my "controlled" environment...and I am in the Dallas airport on my way!!

Heather

imagine having to live here!  LOL