Sunday Poll (yes, I know...I been polling a lot!)

But this is something I am curious about.

What is at least one thing you have learned about yourself through the WLS process (wherever you are in it) that you did not know before?

I have two.

First is that I am not a quitter. I always thought I was because I hadn't accomplished anything big in my life. But I learned post-op that I am not a quitter. I finish what I start. Even when it KILLS me to do so, I do. This is most noticeable in my fitness. I will finish a class, finish a circuit, finish a set. I do not quit. I push through it.

Also related is that I am hella competitive. It took me a minute to figure out how to work that to my advantage though. In the gym I will position myself next to someone doing something I want to be able to do and I find myself pushing harder to get there. So I am not throwing down challenges out loud, but in my head I am always competing. ALWAYS.

I dont know if this will make sense or not. I am still really early out so I dont have alot yet. This is one thing though. I have always loved food and my life revolved around it. The first few weeks I was really depressed because I lost it. I knew I would but knowing and living through is another thing. Anyway, now I just ignore the whole thing, not cope with it really. I ingore it. I dont think about it. I thought I was stronger than that. I thought I was more logical in my actions. Nope I just ingnore the elephant in the room like a child. Then I realized I do that alot with things I cant control. So now I have to fix that because that is not dealing with a problem and changing how it affects you its running. You cant run forever. It always catches up. That was probably part of my weight problem. So its a good thing I realized it.

Actually that makes a lot of sense.

I would just encourage you to remember that there are stages to this process. And some psychological things are normal along the way. So don't beat yourself up too hard if food is the elephant in the room. Or if you find yourself watching Food Network for hours on end. These are things many post-ops go through. It doesn't mean you are weak. It means you are NORMAL and trying to figure out a life where food is not your center.

And you will.

Thanks Nik, and yes I watch food network every Sunday for awhile. I get so much encouragement here. It is so weird to have things so unside down. Most of the time I dont want to even deal with food. Nothing sounds good, most things dont even taste good any more. So food went from all consuming to a chore. I know in time it will change, just weird.

That even though I am a very positive person, I have had a real roller coaster of ups and downs in my head over the past 11 days.  WOW!  Was not expecting this much.

I learned that I can do hard things and follow through.  This process isn't easy, but I CAN do it.  I use the tools available to me (including this site for encouragement, answers and awareness) and I do what I have to do to get the result I want.

I need to take what I've learned here and apply it to other parts of my life, specifically my unsatisfactory homelife.  I WILL do what it takes because I deserve better.


tori

Tori I am JUST starting to clean up house, so to speak.

For years I somehow seemed to think sacrifice and suffering were somehow virtuous. And I always seemed to be chasing some ideal that was so far off.

These days I take joy in the things I have and make plans for things I want to have. Small, achievable goals. Once this move is complete, that will be a big one. I've wanted out of this house for a while but I felt trapped. I was just thinking that whatever house I choose, I'll have a little yard to plant a garden. And I can just envision myself walking to the gym in the morning and to the lake on the weekends.

I'm starting to "get" that I deserve to be happy and that I don't have to pay for happiness. I just need to claim it.

I hear you, Nik... sometimes we just get into a place where we feel stuck and we stop believing what can be possible.  If it goes much beyond that, it's easy to stop even imagining something better because it all feels so impossible.

I got myself into this mess, now I have to be the one to get myself out of it.  I've gotten complacent and stopped visualizing my 'escape'... and that's akin to giving up because I will NEVER get out unless I want it badly enough.  Recently I've begun to see once again what's possible and remember what it is that I really want... 

... and bottom line, life's short.  We've only got one shot at it... and it's practically criminal to waste a moment of it.  I'm tired of wasting so many moments... so I've got dream, believe and manifest those desires.

You're an inspiration in that... because you're DOING it, despite the countless difficulties you're facing.  I thank you for that... and I can't wait to hear about the fabulous garden you plant at your new place, along with your family's roots!



tori

I'm only 13 days post op - but I have learned that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for.