Reality check, slap in the face

Since my surgery and before I thought I was doing a fair job losing weight and just recently starting a 6 day a week workout program, I have been working very hard to reach my goal. I was even starting to feel good about myself, and for the first time in my life I could almost start to see a change in my appearance as I looked in the mirror, which was something I rarely ever did before. Well on Friday I was brought back to earth real fast, and it made me realize just how far I still have to go. So on Friday when I went to the pool to do my water aerobics and lap swimming, I do some walking in the gym on the treadmill kind of a warm up before I hit the pool. Anyway there was a new woman working at the desk in the gym, and after I got done on the treadmill as I walked by her she asked me if I was trying to lose weight so that I could have that bypass surgery? Well it took me off guard and I didn’t know what to say. Now that I have had time to think about it I could of given her a bunch of smart azz answers. But the bottom line is I am still 341 pounds,(even thought my highest weight was 878 pounds) people see me as very obese , and even at my goal weight of 250 my BMI will be 34 and that is still obese. This weekend I thought about crawling under a rock and never coming back out, but after rethinking about it, and a lot of positive encouragement from my wife, and talking to my friend Cards Fan, I decided fu@k that ***** I am going to start kicking ass and chewing sugar free bubble gum,( and I am all out of gum) and I am going to work twice as hard as I have been to show the world I AM NOT A FAT ASS ANYMORE……. My highest weight on 10/20/2001  My first weigh in at Doctor's office Pre-Op 12/05 Weight loss from my surgery day or 11/14/06

Alan, Ouch! I know how much that kind of comment can hurt. Some weeks ago I was described as "kind of heavyish" by someone who loves me and who is proud of how much weight I've lost far (120 lbs, a mere pittance compared to you). At first I was crushed and annoyed, until I realized that at 5' 7'' I am still "heavyish." Still . . . I saw no reason to be described that way. I'm still carrying a kind of "inner weight" from years of being super-morbidly obese (and fat as a kid). I can get my feelings in a bunch really fast--but, and here's a surprise result of WLS, I don't get as angry or hurt and I get over comments quicker. I think because I have accomplished a lot for me, even if "the world" does notice or care. I know what's going on. So I have less of a grudge because I know I will prevail and get to my goal if I just keep working the program. And I rely on the success stories and strategies of the guys in the Locker room--guys like you! This probably won't help much, but try--I know it's not easy--to think of the gal at the gym as well-intentioned but unaware. She has no idea how far you've come, how much you have already accomplished, and how much better your life is now. There's a saying I like, Living Well is the Best Revenge. That, imho, is how to deal with ignorant, busybody comments. Live well, my friend, proud of who you are and not forgetting how very far you've come. When it comes to weight loss, improved health and plain old grit, you have achieved more than probably 99.9% of all overweight and obese people ever. Take another look at your numbers. They're nothing short of miraculous. Don't let an ignorant remark blind you to that accomplishment for even one more second. Any guy who's done what you have isn't a fat ass!

Mike,

You've lost 537 lbs.! No one has the right to give you any **** You have the right to be happy with yourself.

Dave

Al, this is liek Deja Vu....I was 3 months out, in my surgeons office, and I had lost 100#...and a chick in the lobby asked when was my surgery....? Like I had not even started yet....bitoch this salty ole dawg was crushed.... Keep up the exercise.....it won't be long till you start singing MC HAMMER.....dah da da dah...da dah da dah.....Can;t touch this!!! Russ PS....laps in the pool are great....I could pull my flab out and people thought I was a Manta Ray best quote.....I have a swimmers build....(orca was a swimmer ...right???)

And another thing....this would make me wanna yank up one of my flab rolls and slap her upside the head.... Russ

Big Al,

 

 

I really admire your progress. I am just a biscuit away from losing my 200 lb. And while it’s a great accomplishment when compared to where I began less than a year ago.  I was also down in the dumps this weekend when I realized that I still have another eight months of losing to go at my current rate. I admire how long and hard you have been at it, I just nor as patient and dedicated as you have been. But after reading the weekly weigh in listings I realized that we are all struggling in our own way, even those who are at goal.

As in your situation that girl had no idea how far you have come. Its sort of the mentality that others have told me about how sticking to a diet would not require surgery if I was really dedicated. Those who have never walked in our size triple E shoes, always seem to know best for us. 

Like you say, its time to kick some ass, but at the sometime the only one we have to impress and prove anything to is ourselves. F-them if they can’t take a joke.  Keep on truckin' Herb

Alan, You are doing great and are an inspiration for us all. Keep up the fight. Joe

Hey Al, No matter how much progress we make - those comments hurt.  They bring up all the old feelings we've all had of being heavy (FAT), feeling left out, knowing people are watching and talking about us.  So, after you feel the initial STING of the comment, remember how hard you've worked, how far you've come, and the COUNTLESS benefits that you have in your life because of the hard work you've done to lose so much weight. Hang in there Al - you deserve all the fantastic things you are experiencing due to your hard work and amazing weight loss. Chuck

It happend to me to.  I am 7 weeks out and down 53 since surgery and 82 from highest.  I had a coworker ask me last week, 'When are you having the surgery?' It took all I had not to beat the **** out of him.  But then I realized, I am still obese (soory MORBID obese).  I learned not to  let anyone's stupidity control me. And Russ - you had me rolling with the MC Hammer reference.  Thought I was gonna dance!! Sean

I'm sorry you had to run into someone who ruined your day.  Some times those comments that come from left field hurt the worst.  Congrats on your increadible accomplishments to date.  Keep up the hard work, you will get there!