Many patients of gastric bypass report feeling fearful of succeeding at weight loss after a lifetime of failed diet attempts. In most cases, the fear of success subsides as a patient reaches goal weight and becomes comfortable in their new body. About that time the Fat Monster shows up to scare the hell out of patients.
I thought the fear of success was scary ? that is until I met the Fat Monster. The Fat Monster came into my life one night shortly after I achieved my weight loss goal. The Fat Monster terrified me with illusion ? in the darkness of night he convinced me that the weight loss was just a dream, that by morning the Little Fat Girl would be back. He convinced me that being thin was too good to be true. I was terrified.
The Fat Monster scared the hell out of me and I believed his frightening stories. Even on days when my behavior was stellar ? I followed the four rules ? I was convinced he could catch me. Many restless nights I woke frequently to run my hands over my body confirming he hadn't caught me that night. I needed to know that I was still thin. Many patients are acquainted with the Fat Monster ? after years of dieting failure it is common to believe this weight loss is too good to be true.
To this day the Fat Monster keeps me honest. Aloud I can say that looking and feeling great is my motivation to follow the rules, to exercise and maintain my weight. But deep down inside I'm on a dead run trying to get away from the Fat Monster. I don't ever want to return to being morbidly obese, I hated that life. So when I get on the treadmill I am literally running from the Fat Monster. When I eat my protein and take my supplements I'm building my strength to battle the Fat Monster. I am at war with the Fat Monster and I will never surrender; I am winning!
Other patients are battling their own Fat Monster. One woman believed the Fat Monster had occupied her bathroom scale ? she began weighing compulsively around the clock. She had a before work weight, an after work weight, before work-out weight, after work-out weight and on and on. Any fluctuation from normal caused immediate panic and self-loathing. Her husband locked away the scale and she nearly lost her mind! So, they came to a compromise. He would keep the scale - and the Fat Monster - locked away except for the once a week weigh-in. The physical act of locking-up the Fat Monster worked for her. She no longer weighed herself compulsively and her weekly weigh-ins showed she could very successfully maintain a healthy weight without round-the-clock vigilance to the bathroom scale.
Patients do best when they identify their own Fat Monster and learn what behaviors ? good or bad ? the monster is affecting in your life. Do not surrender control to the Fat Monster but use terror as a source of motivation in your healthy life.
Kaye Bailey ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved
Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com
Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.
To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter "You Have Arrived" click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.
Twin Lakes rental limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhat is "too young" to begin a weight loss program... Read More
The best exercises for quick weight loss in my opinion... Read More
It seems everyone is looking for that magic bullet -... Read More
Plan to eat two to three hours and pack health... Read More
One thing I really must say at the outset of... Read More
Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More
Every regime has its supply of useless folk lore and... Read More
If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More
Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
If you are trying to lose weight, the holidays literally... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, writing... Read More
The safe way to lose weight begins with a thorough... Read More
Curb Hunger and Avoid The Costly BingeEveryone's been there -... Read More
Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More
Close kept secrets to weight loss: Give me 9 days... Read More
You've done everything right this time. You're eating lots of... Read More
THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More
Almost everyone has attempted to follow diets and weight loss... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
We have all heard of those new diets, Atkins, low... Read More
Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More
Digestion is a chemical process. Our body combines different types... Read More
West Dundee Lincoln Stretch limo rentals ..If you are trying to lose weight, the holidays literally... Read More
What are the best fad diets? It's a question I'm... Read More
There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More
There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More
Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More
With all of the conflicting studies and fuzzy interpretation of... Read More
Although the big push for fad diets has died down... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
We must all now be familiar with the Atkins Diet.... Read More
Glycemic index ranks different carbohydrate foods depending on their potential... Read More
Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
Weight Loss and Water: A Way to Make Your Body... Read More
Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
The Atkins diet Plan breakfast can usually composed of eggs... Read More
In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More
Changing our eating behaviour is one of the critical lifestyle... Read More
Weight loss specialists will tell you that attitude has a... Read More
"Polyols" or sugar alcohols are a number of different carbohydrates... Read More
1. What is Atkins Diet? Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Weight Loss |