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.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAre there any foods that burn body fat? If yes,... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
Tip 1) DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACKThis... Read More
Okay, so you've read some of these articles, done your... Read More
Just the facts on bodybuilding weightloss strategies that work. No... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
You may have read the old stories about how much... Read More
Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone... Read More
Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Diet tips for losing weight abound. Some are good, some... Read More
1. Carrying around excess body fat will decrease your energy... Read More
When most people begin a Weight Loss program or diet... Read More
Losing weight is a tough and demanding task for most... Read More
I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
The only way you will ever follow through on an... Read More
There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More
I have tried many "diets" here in the USA and... Read More
Got milk? New research suggests you should if you want... Read More
negative calorie effect in foodsWhatever food we eat,... Read More
If only there were a 'better body boot camp', we'd... Read More
America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of... Read More
Many people are under the impression that gastric bypass surgery... Read More
The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More
Good health is an invaluable bliss and you cannot simply... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
As our country gains weight at an alarming rate, we... Read More
If all we have to do is exercise to live... Read More
Many people limit themselves to one soda a day especially... Read More
When it comes to the matter of weight loss, peoples... Read More
Rules of day to day no longer apply as you... Read More
When most people think of low carb diets they automatically... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More
Search Yahoo for "papaya" and "kirstie" and you'll find at... Read More
Why Walking Could Be the Solution to Your Fitness Dilemma.Walk,... Read More
A common question among weight loss professionals...If fad diets don't... Read More
Dear BMTers,Low carb this and low carb that?that's all you... Read More
Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've... Read More
Gastric bypass surgeries are temporary physical fixes to a long... Read More
Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that... Read More
Let me tell you something - if you are doing... Read More
What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to... Read More
Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose... Read More
You step on the scale and groan at the number... Read More
Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More
In our mind's eye, we see our ancient ancestors as... Read More
As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More
If you've been scouring the news, devouring as much information... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Weight Loss |