What did I ask for? Oops..it’s exactly what I got.
Posted on 12/08/2010 by Yvonne McCarthy / No Comments / Leave a Comment »
Butterfly Blonde by Yvonne
What did I ask for? Let’s think about this….
I wanted to lose the weight and be just like “normal” people right? What did I beg for, pray for every day for over thirty years? I would have made a deal with the devil if I could have found him to ask. It’s embarrassing when I admit to myself the lengths I would have gone to if I could have mustered a little more courage. My fondest wish was to lose the weight that put me in the most severe prison I could ever imagine. My obesity was like living dead.
Today I was answering a message and wanted to share my response. I was explaining that fighting a twenty pound regain made this wonderful lady normal and this is what I said.
“I know without a doubt that my pouch is stretched. I can eat a lot of food but that’s OK because my greatest wish was just to get back to normal…. to get a second chance and be like everyone else. I’m just like everyone else now fighting to stay at a normal weight…where it’s easy to gain the 10-20 pounds if I’m not careful. I got exactly what I asked for didn’t I??”
Unfortunately it is easy to forget that I would have given up a toe or a finger to have only twenty or thirty pounds to lose. That was an impossible dream but now a regain of that much scares me to death. Perception changes everything. I also told her to be careful about the holidays and to recommit right now. Yep the food is awesome during the holidays but how long do we enjoy it? Our high only lasts for few minutes. We even chose a sucky high. Legal…but sucky. Next thing we know we are facing the beginning of the year with another ten pounds that kills our heart and soul. We don’t even remember at that point what we ate and how it tasted.
Is it easy? Nah…it’s never easy but the things worth doing are worth working for.
So be careful for what you wish for…you just might get it.
Then when you get it…remember that it’s what you asked for.
And most of all…be grateful for today because like my friend Ramon says, be happy for any day you’re above the dirt.
Hugs, Y
p.s. that’s a little art piece I did, hope you like it.
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0 Comments on “What did I ask for? Oops..it’s exactly what I got.”
Regain can be a major issue for post-bariatric patients. I recently gained about ten pounds over a month. My nurse, who had a roux-en-y herself many years ago, told me her secret for maintaining: Every morning, she sits in a chair at the dining table, both knees together, and bends forward and tries to kiss one of her knees. She can do it at her goal weight, but if she begins to regain, it becomes difficult. I tried this and I do it myself every day now! The secret is, do something every single day about your weight. You don’t have to lose ten pounds overnight; you just have to take control of your food intake for the next hour. And then do it again, if you can, for another hour. Before long, the day is over and you’ve succeeded. We all tend to look at weight as the total number on the scale, but by reducing it to something more manageable, it’s easier to deal with every single day!
John I love this. I have explained many times that “my” method and what works for me is getting on the scale every day but I know that isn’t what everyone is comfortable with. I think the methods of accountability are vast and we have to use whichever one that works for us. I REALLY love breaking it down by the hour so that we can get through “just today”. So often we try to plan into the next year or years and we can only do it a minute at a time. Reducing it all to something manageable is key and it’s so encouraging that you have a nurse that helps you out. Thank you so much for your contribution. It is much appreciated.
Bariatric surgery simply levels the playing field and takes away the disadvantage while we are still in the game – yep, we are normal now! Too many post ops are shocked when they find out that they must live ‘on a diet’ for the rest of their lives as if it is a bad word. Happy New Year my beautiful friend. – Suze
You know Suze…I have said that exact same thing many many times. It levels the playing field and that’s exactly what I asked for, begged for, dreamed of and I got it. I have the same chance for gaining weight as “normal” people. While some may be upset that you will still be on a diet, I am thrilled to be on a diet waying what I weigh instead of being on the crazy diets I was on for 30 years. I’ll take the diet over anything I’ve done in the past. I found out that I can easily give up sugar or anything else I need to so that I can live the life I wanted so desperately. As we know there are no magic pills but I sure tried them all. Happy New Year to you pretty lady. I hope this next year is far better than ever! Hugs, Y
Just have to say Yvonne- I know exactly what you mean when you say-” levels the playing field and that’s exactly what I asked for, begged for, dreamed of and I got it. I have the same chance for gaining weight as “normal” people. While some may be upset that you will still be on a diet, I am thrilled to be on a diet waying what I weigh instead of being on the crazy diets I was on for 30 years.” I refuse to live in fear of regain– I am 15 months post op- and below goal for 4 months– I will not be bullied into believing regain- or excessive regain is out of my control… thanks you so much- I look forward to meeting you in Vegas
Sally I LOVE THIS! You put it sooooo perfectly!! I believe that you attract what you focus on. If you constantly focus on what you “don’t have” you will bring it into your life. I think you have a great head on your shoulders and I think you’ll be just fine on your journey. Thank you for contributing and I can’t wait to see you in Vegas too!