Humpty Dumpty Fell off the Wall.. . . .

There seems to be a misguided perception among the formerly obese that everything will go back together again, just like new.  As one who frequents the plastics board, it is a prevailing theme there.  From a purely cosmetic standpoint, I suppose these perceptions are harmless and therefore not a big problem.  The bigger issue I notice is the belief that one's health is totally restored after massive weight loss.   A woman who had lost 250 pounds recently bragged at group about her low resting heartrate of 48 beats per minute.  While this low heartrate in an athlete is admirable, in someone who has ridden the obesity elevator back to "health" it could indicate an enlarged heart and the beginnings of congestive heart failure and not a high fitness level. 

So the point is, Humpty Dumpty never got put back together just like new and neither will any of us.  There is a price and it's not just cosmetic.   So, advice is cheap and he's my cheapie for the day:  Even if you are struggling to lose weight, do everything you can to keep from gaining any more weight.  There's just so much one can do to restore lost health. 

Excellent advice.....worth a million bucks!

My biggest fear is that I've already done damage to my organs by carrying around that extra weight for such a long time. Let's face it, for at least 30 years my body was twice the size it should be...that tells me my heart, kidneys, etc were doing the work equivalent to TWO BODIES!!  
I've lost my weight but remain focused on being as healthy as I can so I don't do any further damage.

Great reminder.....
Thanks
Ruth

Your point is so true! I would add that joint/bone damage really will not ever get better; losing the extra weight may lessen the pain of it, alas, the damage has been done.

I will also add that as far as better nutrition is concerned: many effects caused by poor nutrition (as in not enough of the proper vitamins/minerals) CAN be reversed; however an overload is toxic and literal poison to a body and that means long term, irreversible damage.

This post made me think of a family member who drinks like a fish, is a healthy weight & all, but reports to all of us how dedicated he is to his early morning long runs and weight lifting sessions. It could be said that his exercise may be adding to the alcoholic stress on his body!

The mini-point to not gain any more is likewise true & important.  When we don't see the scale move, there is great success in that it did not go UP! We all need to think the abstract idea of weight NOT gained.

The victory of NOT gaining is one to be celebrated every week especially when on maintenance.  It's one thing to lose weight, it's a totally different thing to keep it off.

I personally have successfully lost weight (150 lbs) 3 times in my adult life....this time being the third......and I think I finally learned enough about myself and nutrition that I will finally be successful maintaining the weight loss!

You do have a point.  I heard of a woman who lost alot of weight from weighing over 400 pounds.  She lived a few more years, then died of a heart attack, even though she was quite trim.  She probably had done too much damage to her heart from being obese so long.

I've been obese since just before the beginning of my current marriage, which will be 16 years this June 5, 2009.  That's more than 15 years of being obese.  I don't know what kind of damage I've done, but so far, I have normal blood pressure, pretty good cholesterol readings, some arthritis in my knees from being heavy so long, and some blocked arteries in my upper legs.  I have some minor back problems, though not chronic, when I lift too much weight with my hands and arms.

I am slowly losing weight, because I have such a difficult time sticking to regimented & restrictive fast weight loss diets.  I have been on over 20-25 of those, including three times on Weigh****chers, and just couldn't stick to it.  I belong to Overeaters Anonymous, try to maintain three moderate meals a day, choosing healthy food with occasional sugar-free, low fat ice cream treats, twice a week.  I started out at my heaviest in 2001 at around 306 pounds, and since then, have come down to 264 pounds.  I sometimes eat candy once a week, but not more than one small box of it, while watching movies or DVDs.  Otherwise, I don't touch it.

I admire those of you who can stick to regimented diets like Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, or Atkins.  I can't afford the money they charge, even if I could stick to them.  I am still slowly trying to incorporate regular exercise in my life.  It used to be easier in my 20s and 30s, when I was at least 100 or more pounds thinner.  Sometimes I hurt when I walk too long, sometimes I don't. 

Denise Phares/kitties4

Denise,

I know how hard it is to lose weight.  I tried really hard for five years and nothing worked out for me and finally I decided on WLS.  And that wasn't easy.  I still had to work hard at it. 

The discipline to stay on a regimen is never easy.  I spent over 20 years in the Army living a disciplined, regimented lifestyle and I still could learn things from people who post here regularly.  I guess, one point which sticks out in my mind more than any other:

I knew a lady who smoked all her life.  She tried to quit several times but could never do it.  One day she went to the doctor for a routine physical and they took a lung xray and she had a mass the size of a golf ball in her right lung.  She went home and immediately quit smoking - never had another one.  She died a year later of lung cancer.  This woman was my mother and I was 9 years old when she died.   My mother found the strength to quit when faced with the reality that she would not be around to raise her four children.  My baby brother was two years old when she died.  My three brothers and I were very fortunate to have a great father.  But I can't tell you how difficult it was for me growing up without a mother.  I know that through my troubles, my mother was crying tears from heaven blaming herself for not being there for me.  I can only say that if you can't find the strength to do it for yourself, do it for your kids and loved ones.  I posted a new photo of my grandbaby born in April on my profile.  That's the reason I have the strength to stay on plan. 

I wish you luck.  Donna

I like your allusion to Humpty Dumpty and yes, some damage can't be repaired. But it is amazing how much the body can recover. It's best to be realistic.

The other side of the coin is unrealistic expectations. Losing weight does not solve all of life's problems and some issues will remain.

I'm also sometimes shocked and saddened when I see people on the main board touting how healthy they are because they lost their excess weight but they aren't taking their vitamins or making good choices in food. Losing weight is independant from gaining health. After all serious illness such as cancer can cause weight loss. However changing your diet can alleviate high blood pressure without necessarily lowering your weight.

I also had a parent die when I was young - my father died from heart disease and that has always scared me. My father was a heavy smoker and as a medical doctor he knew better but couldn't help himself.

Skylar