Keeping up with changes

As most of you know, I was laid off from my job last month. It's been a wild month and I'm still trying to process all of it. But there is something I have noticed and I wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this. I seem to be focusing all of my energy on my working out, eating, self-stuff, etc. I don't want to do anything else - not find a job, not figure out what I want to do when I grow up,   etc.  If I had my choice, I would work in a health club and work out all the time. Does anyone understand this? Is this fairly normal? (god, I hope so) I know part of this is probably just getting over the layoff, it is a scary prospect. But I was feeling this way before the layoff.  I have been looking at going back to school to finish my bachelors (I'm only 5 classes short of finishing) but even though I love school, it still doesn't completely motivate me. I guess I'm just feeling a little out of sync right now -I'm doing so well at taking care of me physically and it's such a new feeling that all I want to do is keep feeling good... but when I start thinking about a career I don't feel so hot. Thanks for listening to my long rant - there are so many specifics about going through this surgery that I know people here understand more than those who haven't had the surgery.

I'm sorry you're going through this situation.  Job changes can be frightening.  You've spent several months now thinking primarily about your health, your daily food intake, whether or not you're exercising enough, etc.  While at the same time, I bet your job was pretty much routine and could probably be done without giving it a whole lot of thought.  So, you were able to focus on meals for the day, when you could leave, when you could exercise, how much weight you'd lost, how much weight you still want to lose, where your goal is, etc.  Now that there is no job to do, nothing has really changed in that sense, has it?  You are still focusing on what you've been focused on for a while now, just without that job to do while you were thinking those other thoughts. But, I bet you weren't working just 'cause you could...  You probably have bills that rely on that income, huh??  So, while this "me" time has been nice, perhaps it is time to start thinking about who your next employer will be??   Would finishing your degree make a big difference in your job opportunities and income potential??  Would it make you more valuable to your preferred type of employer?  If so, then give it some serious thought if you can afford it.  Facing having to go fill out job applications and go through interviews and such is NEVER a happy thought unless it is a job change that you want very much yourself (like a job that is more like a promotion than a change of jobs...).  SO, as I've just been through this with hubby, I feel for ya!  I can't remember the last time that man filled out his own job application...  "Here honey, fill this out would ya??"  LOL  Maybe you can get a wife to do it for you too?  While she fills it out, you can hit the gym! Best of luck, Lea

At six or seven months out, it was all I could do to manage my normal life.  I, too, concentrated on doing all the right things, like exercise.  With the added stress of the job loss, I can see how difficult it must be for you to work on anything else, with your exciting WLS journey.   Best of luck; we all come back to earth eventually! 

Hey, pal! It could be that you focus on all the WLS stuff because it's familiar and something over which you have control, whereas all the other stuff is kind of out of whack right now.  It wil right itself soon enough.  If you can manage it, give yourself a short break and just focus on you.  As for going back to school, go for it if you want, but not if you aren't motivated.  I was motivated, and it took me seven years to finish my Masters.  I can't imagine trying to go to school without being motivated. You'll figure it out! Kix

HEY PJ,         I SAY IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.. WELL TAKE A BREATHER THEN.... THINGS HAVE BEEN COMING AT YA PRETTY QUICK AND FAST HERE LATELY AND MAYBE THATS WHAT YA NEED. I AM TOTALLY THE QUEEN OF NON CHANGE HERE. I FREAK OUT OVER THINGS THAT ARE OUT OF ORDINARY LIFE AND WHEN SOMETHING LIKE YOUR JOB CHANGE AFFECTS YOU WELL ITS COMMON TO HAVE FEELINGS OF WHAT TO DO... SCHOOL I KNOW IF VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU  BUT GETTING HEALTHY IS ALSO.... SO AS THEY SAY, TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES AND THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT THE FUTURE. AND IN THE MEANWHILE ENJOY HAVING TIME TO DO THE SMALL THINGS YOU LIKE DOING... HUGS MARGE

PJ, I experienced this also, but, it has waned somewhat for me now.  Last January, I elected to give up my radio show, one of the biggest reasons is that I wanted to exercise on Sundays.  Now that I've given up the show, I haven't exercised every Sunday...I don't think what you are going through is abnormal.  I think you are dealing in the best way you know how with a giant stresser...in much healthier ways than drinking or something. Big hugs to you! Lori

You are busy taking care of you.   Why not try to find a job at a  gym. someone has to work there.  I would love to go to a gym and have someone that has been through this to help me. 

Boy, do I wish we had a "reply to all" button so all of you would get this message. Thank you so much for your responses, each one of them was such an encouragement. The past couple of months have been challenging, to say the least, and it certainly helps to know that there are people here who understand. THANKS to you all!!   I have made a decision to go back to school   - got all the paper work in yesterday and I register next week. I'm feeling pretty good about the decision and I'm excited to be a full-time student again! School starts May 29, so until then I am going to play and enjoy life. You know what I am most excited about?? I will actually be able to fit into those damn desks! That was one of the main reasons I didn't fini**** was just so uncomfortable.