REMAINING OVERWEIGHT IS EASIER!?

I'm going to play the Devil's Advocate and write down a list why remaining overweight is easier:

• No food planning
• You can eat whatever you want, in whatever portions, whenever you want
• You don't have to exercise (or can't)
• You don't have to be a Fashionista - "What is your style?" "Whatever fits"
• You don't have to listen to advice from your doctor - just don't go
• Some medication lessens the pain from over burdened joints, treats diabetes or high blood pressure, and other ailments
• Some may say they have no control of their weight; it's in their genes
• Ignore the food watchers who itemize what's on your plate. It's none of their business.
• And you can fill in many more

Now, the harder part. Listing why it is important that you use your tool, change your lifestyle, and do as you are advised - as challenging as it might be:

• Make a shopping list, cook in advance and plan your meals
• Eat only what is on your plan; up to 3 meals and 3 snacks a day
• Don't graze.
• Don't over-portion and do not feel the need to finish everything on your plate. When you're done, put it away or throw it out (ugh!)
• Exercise in whatever way interests you and whatever way you are able knowing that you may be able to do more and more as you progress
• Listen to the advice of your healthcare professionals and go prepared to every appointment. It is not a test, but they are wanting to help you achieve your goals.
• Ignore the food watchers who itemize what's on your plate. It's none of their business but they may be doing so out of love and caring.
• Remember Opti and the surgery are just the first steps for many years of hard work. Is it worth it now? Was it worth it when you made the choice to start the program?

I'm a newbie - only 6 months out. As I read some posts I see some struggling - as we all do, in confidence, in working our program, and in doubting their success. This is simply a shout-out to help everyone remember that as difficult as it is at times to juggle life, try to keep ourselves first on the list and to remain committed to the program, it is indeed so worth it.

Add to the list as there is so much more - on either side of the issue. Is remaining heavy easier? Maybe so, but it is NOT MY CHOICE!

Enjoy your day everyone.

Very very important list... can I add you make somethings worse like torn ligaments, arthritis and loss of mobility in staying Ovt! No medication helps poundage on severely damaged joints... You know how you see athletes and they have accidents and a year later they come back even sooner that doesn?t happen to someone who is really overweight! I have lost 80lbs... in the last couple of years (still off) and has not made a dent... so this tool is a necessity!

I agree. Then add age ... ugh! I don't bounce as pretty as I used to!

Hi Linda,

Great lists. I can relate.

Barb

This is such an interesting post, Linda. You're right... the choice to stay overweight is so much easier in so many ways. Status quo so often is easier. Change is always harder. Hard. Scary. An unknown hollow... lonely, scary, vast.

I started out my journey so gung ho as you all know! I am still so excited by it... but it feels so different today. I keep hearing about rapid weight loss, and it is! I have never loss weight this quickly in my life, but my view is so distorted. I think about how much more I have to lose... I look in the mirror curious about why I am still so overweight. Curious. Not disappointed. Then I read all the success stories, 6 months, 8 months... and I calculate... I think wow, in May, maybe I will have lost XX weight. And I think that's incredible!!! And I'm reminded I'm on track.

And THAT'S why for me it's not easier to stay overweight anymore. So list 2 is all me.

Thanks for your post. You rock!!!

I echo your sentiments OAAT.. I lost without WLS.. a difference .. well smaller clothes.. but I still have 0 mobility and I am.. large... so I too am looking forward to WLS and 1 year down the road... to walk to be back to me .. somewhat! Thanks for sharing!!

I've lost too without WLS. I never got lower than a certain point, as you know. 243 is my lowest adult weight. And maintaining that weight loss - so hard.

Getting back to me - it's such an interesting concept. I don't even know who that is anymore. But I really know who I want to be - who I am on the inside - who I yearn to be, what I yearn to do. And that's a lot of what motivates me.

None of this would be happening without the WLS surgery or the support and insights of the ppl here.

Hello... I cannot look at mirrors... why.. who are you? I think.. so.. yesssss it will be a shock... and I guess a self discovery journey.. for us all really...

Louise Hay has a book called "Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life"

Yes, looking in the mirror can be really revealing - soul searching work. It's not easy.

I have the book - I hate it. I've never gotten past a couple of chapters and never did any of the exercises. LOL. I love some of her other works though.

Support, encouragement, perspective, and the odd kick in the butt. I was hoping this post wouldn't be taken as negative, but as realistic.

I have never smoked. A friend told me she was complaining to her daughter how hard it was to stop smoking. Her daughter replied, "I know Mom, it must be. But it's not much easier dying." She has been smoke-free for many years now. It really is all about perspective.

You are doing extremely well - keep going. Down, not up - lol.

BTW - You rock too!