Addiction Transference ? Why I Do What I Do.

Hey Folks! I posted this on the Men's Forum & on my profile today. But, the whole "Oprah / Addiction" talk prompted me to paste it here as well: There's something that I gotta put out there... and this is the place I choose to put it. It's a bit long... so feel free to skip it or just skim it - I'm cool with that, too. Okay... Much to my surprise, I found myself deeply affected by a simple question posed to me by Dx during Tuesday night's online, men's forum exercise/fitness chat. Now, it's no secret here or to anyone who knows me that I workout and train... alot. Of course, I've heard all of the "addiction transference" comments from quite a few people (at work, at home, in my local support group, and yes - here on OH). My quick response to this has always been, "Replacing my food addiction with exercise is much better than replacing it with booze & hookers!" It gets a brief chuckle... and the topic is quickly dropped. This even happened during Tuesday's chat after a brief mention of my seemingly insane triathlon training regimen. Then came Dx's question. I'm paraphrasing here... but, essentially he wanted to find out the true driving force behind all of this work. Was it to get buff or built? Was it to prove something to myself or others? Or, was it simply do to something that never seemed possible before? I was stopped dead in my tracks. I really had never thought about why... One day I just set this goal for myself and got moving. My eventual answer to him was that I now considered myself a triathlete-in-training... this is what it takes. And, it was left at that. But, the question stayed with me. Why? Why all this work? I honestly do enjoy it... but, could that be the only reason? There's tons of other things that I enjoy doing, but don't devote as much time and effort to. Yesterday, I revisited an article that I read months ago written by triathlete & fitness expert, Eric Harr called 20 Great Reasons To Do A Triathlon. It really hit home and reminded me why I started all of this in the first place. Here's a brief synopsis with some highlights of the article: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. 20 serious benefits for triathletes: You Will Lose Weight; You Will Look and Feel Years Younger; You Will Have More Energy; You Will Get More Out of Your Workouts; You Will Improve Your Health; You Will Live Longer; You Will Be More Productive; You Will Learn to Handle Stress More Effectively; You Will Build Rock-Solid Self-Confidence; Your Mood Will Improve; Your Motivation to Exercise Will Soar; You Will Learn to Strengthen Your Weaknesses; You Get to Rub Shoulders with the Best Athletes in the World; You Will Join the Fitness Elite (If you complete just one triathlon, you will become one of the fitness elite no matter what your finishing time. You will have accomplished something that only one percent of the population even dare try.); You Will Have an Increased Sense of Purpose in Your Life (There are times in our lives when we find ourselves unfulfilled on deep, intangible levels - and we cannot explain why. We may have everything we want: a fulfilling career, a wonderful family, a strong network of loving friends. We just can't put our finger on our underlying restlessness.); You Will Become the Best You That You Can Be; You Will Be a Hero to Your Kids (If your children watch you finish a triathlon, they may never look at you the same way.); You Will Motivate and Inspire Those Around You; You Will Set Other Positive Things in Motion - Things You Never Imagined. All those months ago, I found these words to be motivational and inspiring. Now, I find them summing up the new direction my life has taken. I've been reminded that, daily life rarely, if ever, provides us with the opportunity to be truly courageous, to show the world what we're really made of... and to be recognized for our own greatness. Completing a triathlon can provide you, and those around you, with physical proof that you are capable of more than anyone realizes. If anyone cares... This is why I do it. Glad I figured it out. Thanks for listening. Be Well, A.J.

Hello A.J., Your post made me smile. Your drive for accomplishment is a beautiful thing and it's encouraging to people like myself that are just starting the WLS journey. Thank you for imparting this inspiration. Sincerely, Clarice

hey mets fan i read it i didn't skim thru it people have goals after they have surgery -- this is your goal -- go for it i'll cheer you on all the way!!!!! since i can'****ch baseball this season -- DAM that direcTV you RUN and SWIM and BIKE and i'll yell and cheer and tell ya that i BELIEVED you could do it all along!!!! take good care of yourself roberta

I think the "20 serious benefits for triathletes" should be re-titled to the "20 serious benefit for exercise" .. as it applies to more than only a tri-athlete in training. I would also consider myself to have "addiction transference" from food to exercise .. just not to the extent of someone else perhaps .. but it's the same thing. For me - it's all about the endorphins ... here's a great article that explains it best: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/sfrayne.html Good luck with your triathlete training! -Carol

Dear AJ, I am glad you figured it out too. I think it is quite remarkable and admirable to do what you do. It takes alot , and I mean a huge amt of dedication to change yourself for the better. Even just having WLS itself, takes an immense amt of courage. We tend to even minimize that fact. And what you do ! Come on , give yourself some credit will ya? I am impressed, I truly am. I wouldn't ever be that dedicated to fitness, unfortunatley. And I have already been addicted to people, places and things in my past. I don't ever want to transfer any addiction to another one. I am just an aquaintance and even though, I am proud of you. God bless, Cissy

Hey AJ: I can definately attest to the fact that what you have done and continue to do has been a great inspiration to me personally!! I am feeling so much better putting in the time and effort to lose and live a better life every day! I definately have not been as fully motivated as you are ... but as an old fart I am doing what I can and feeling good about myself. As I keep saying ... to everyone that will listen ... this spring / summer I will do my Century ride on my bike (cannot run like you do because of my knees) ... the reason I tell everyone ... so I can't wiggle out of it and face everyone!! (good motivator also) Keep up the good work ... and keep us posted when you are doing your tirathelon and some of us might come out to watch you finish up and give you support! You are My Hero!! Michael