Note: I started writing this three months ago… figured it was time to finish it.
Life is full of changes.
Two years ago I kicked my “Coke habit. Nineteen months ago I had my RNY surgery. Three months ago I started dating a wonderful woman. Three weeks ago, my 16+ year old cat died. Nine days ago I became unemployed.
So yea, some changes are good. Some not so good.
I started to write “some changes are good, some bad”, but I stopped myself. I’m not sure I can believe that change, in and of itself is ever “bad”. I guess in that regard, I shouldn’t really say change is good either.
Change is… change.
We have to deal with change all the time. Even if we’re not always aware of it I think. But those things I mentioned up there were some of the more significant ones I’ve dealt with over the last couple years. These are changes I am still “dealing with”.
The Coke thing. It becomes less of an issue over time, but even now, two years later I can still remember the taste of an ice-cold Coke on a hot day. I can feel the sensation of the carbonation rolling over my tongue. And there are times when I walk past a cooler in the store, or a vending machine, where I can almost feel myself reaching for a bottle. But on the good side, well, if you are struggling with weight yourself, I can tell you that doing nothing but eliminating pop from your diet will help.
I lost about five pounds in four weeks simply by eliminating pop from my diet. I had made no other changes at the time but kicking my 5-6 Coke/Monster a day habit. So yea, the fact that I have cravings to deal with here and there is not a fun thing, the contribution it made to the changes in my health is a positive and quantifiable one.
And the surgery. Well, I’ll be dealing with that one for the rest of my life.
I’m not sure I can come up with anything truly negative in regards to my choice to have weight loss surgery (WLS). I’ve never had any sort of complications really. I suppose mentally, I still have struggles with cravings. Not just for Coke, but for candy, donuts, crap I really don’t need. But, having this surgery has given me so much more back in return. It’s… well, there’s so many ways I’ve changed because of this surgery, I’m not sure I could ever cover them all. It’s amazing to think about some times, and others nearly impossible to wrap my head around.
But the changes that came about because of the surgery brought a cascade of changes with them.
the physical change in losing weight not only effected my physical health, but it’s changed me mentally as well. My self-confidence, while I wouldn’t say it’s sky-rocketed, in comparison… well I guess it’s been so drastic that I’m not sure how to even quantify it. I’m getting up and speaking about surgery as an option in front of groups of strangers on a regular basis. I’m making videos and putting them out there on the web for anyone to check out.
I put myself out there on a dating site and went out on dates with more women in a matter of months than I had been on in the last couple of decades. On top of that I’ve met someone that I’ve been in a great relationship with for over six months now.
And now… pretty much as a direct result of all this, I’m now a certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, and looking at starting my own business as a nutritional coach while pursuing further education with the possibility of eventually becoming a Registered Dietitian (likely with some sort of emphasis on bariatric nutrition).
Trying to put it all down in words here, it… it almost makes it seem overwhelming, a feeling I think we all go through.
There is simply no way for me to even scratch the surface when it comes to addressing the changes that just sort of passively hit you, let alone those that happen because of a conscious decision like having weight loss surgery.
So what’s the point of all this?
I’m not sure.
Maybe just knowing that “change happens”, maybe just knowing that not matter what changes you are dealing with, you’re not the only one can make the difference. The difference that not only helps you deal with those that are .. challenging, but also help you recognize those that are worthy of celebration.
So sorry to hear you lost your job! Hang in there!
Thanks… but in a way, I can’t complain, it’s what’s led to my pursuing a career in nutrition :>
Everything happens för a reason, you’re obviously meant to do greater things.. Good luck!