Okay - first a few updates - then today's topic.1) Salish Lodge was beautiful - we had a very nice night. And had a really good time.
2) I finally (yesterday) got my GymBoss Interval Buzzing Timer Wrist thingy. And I tried it out this morning at a 10/50 Galloway interval. It was a shorter run - but my pace quickened to 16:30 - which is VERY nice. Tomorrow I'll be doing my Galloway 30minutes - and Saturday or Sunday - 4 miles. I'm still on track with the plan - but this week my days are a little messed up. Busy week.
3) Weight. I'm down a little more - as you can see in the sidebar. I'm at 352. Down 9. But not enough for my tastes.
Which brings me to today's post.
I saw my doctor yesterday for my yearly physical and to check my BP. My BP is good (but regulated by medicine). My health overall is good. I'm strong and active. But the weight isn't coming off.
And she asked me point blank. "So - what are we doing about this weight thing? I see you struggling, and I want you to see your grandchildren get married." It wasn't a new statement, but I thought for a moment before answering. I know she thinks I should consider weight loss surgery. But I'm not there yet.
And then I remembered something from about 13 years ago.
Originally I wanted to be a doctor. Was even accepted into a medical program. Accelerated too. But halfway through it I was really struggling. I wasn't "getting" some of the more advanced sciences. And I had a long talk with my Dad who asked me if this was right for me. Was I doing the right thing.
And I thought to myself - well - I'm living at the dorms - and enjoying a lot of my time. Maybe that's not the ticket. Maybe I'm not really "TRYING" - maybe I'm goofing off too much.
"Well Dad, if I really try - if I apply myself 100% and it's still not for me - then I can accept it. But until I've really applied every ounce I have - I won't give up."
So I moved home for a semester. Studied with my dad every single night. And still wasn't making the grades I needed. I knew I couldn't give it any more. So I looked for other options. And now I'm a very successful trial lawyer.
What the heck does this have to do with weight?
Well - I came to the realization at the doctor's office that I'm training - and watching what I eat. But I haven't really "DIETED" or "pushed myself" on the weight loss front. I haven't applied every ounce I have to it. And until I do - I won't give up.
So here's what we did. We drew two lines in the sand together - my doctor and me.
First line is today. It's right here. Now. There's everything behind it - and there's NOW. And as of now - we are applying 150% to weight loss and health. Not just training and "watching what I eat" - but actually dieting. Consuming less. Consuming healthier food. Not giving in to temptations. And LOSING weight. I'll weigh in every two weeks. And we'll see the change. I will not give up.
The second line in the sand is April 17, 2012. My 34th birthday.
If we get there, and I can honestly say that I've dedicated my resources to losing weight and getting healthier - we will gauge my success. If I'm making significant progress - we'll keep going.
But if I've really really tried everything. And the weight isn't coming off fast enough for my health - we'll have a talk about other options and what's available to me.
I do NOT want to have that talk.
So I guess my only other option is to apply myself. HARD. I've done a lot in my life. Accomplished many many things.
And this - this is the next one.
EPCOT AWAITS!
It is so simple...
ReplyDeleteHow bad do you want it ?? Discipline with surgery. There is tons needed there, cause at that point you LIFE will depend on being discipline.
SO... Again...HOW much discipline are you going to apply??
Think about it.. your disciplined at work..How you must speak to people, why not apply it to yourself??
Are you worth it to yourself?? How much are you worth to yourself??
Think about it...
VERY true. Keep moving forward! I know I used Medifast to keep my portions under control and to help change my view on the fuels I'm putting in my body. Honestly, I'd hope you're MD would suggest something like that prior to weight loss surgery. It takes a lot of dedication and discipline, but it keeps your calorie intake simple as well. Just "food" for thought!
ReplyDeleteAnyway - I agree with you. I'm at a similiar point. I have to really decide how committed I am to this weight loss thing. Last night, lonely got the better of me and I made dinner out of coffee cake... Yeah... that won't help me get under the 200s!
Are you racing in the Princess 1/2 next year? I'm hoping to be there! We can kill this fat together!
Remember - you're not alone! I know Amber and Elizabeth are looking forward to having a FULL lifetime with a HEALTHY husband and father who can do ANYTHING he wants to do!
Well, you get it. It's all about application of theory. Of course, the application part is always the most difficult (simple or easy as it may sound).
ReplyDeleteMaybe your doctor has given you the motivation you need to succeed? Time to find out!
Glad you got your interval timer. I love mine. It helps you get through tough miles when you know you have that little break coming to help you gain your breath or walk out the tight leg muscles.
ReplyDeleteThe weight loss is tough Jonathan. Trust me, I'm on the rollercoaster with you and sometimes it's up and sometimes it's down. You know you want to be healthy for your family, but remember, you have to want it too. If you don't want it, deep down, want it - you're going to struggle with it. Small changes, track everything, keep training, learn your body and what works to satisfy you and make you feel good without being a "treat."
My sister did the weight loss surgery many years ago - stomach stapling. She lost a lot of weight, but over the years she gained it all back and then some as her stomach stretched back out. Now she's using Weight Watchers and is down 80+ pounds again. She has a lot of residual health issues from the surgery - iron and vitamin deficiencies and some other nasty side effects. Just remember that surgery is not a quick fix, it's not an easy solution and it's a very altered lifestyle that you'll live with for a very long time.
I've told you before - just consider all your options and make informed decisions.
Remember - you're not the only one that struggles with this part of living and you've got the support if you reach out and take it!
OK, this is probably going to be the most strongly worded post I've made on this blog to date, but here goes: LISTEN TO AMANDA. You do NOT want weight loss surgery. That option needs to be taken off the table right now, non-negotiably. Weight loss surgery is paying a doctor to commit PHYSICAL ASSAULT and DAMAGE to your own body that is HARMFUL to you for LIFE - and don't let anybody, no matter what their credentials try to tell you anything different. And the "altered lifestyle" isn't "for a very long time" - it's FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Once it's done, there's no going back, not like there is when you drop out of med school and study law instead. You're REALLY stuck with the results of that assault on your body and there's nothing more you can do about it. DON'T GO DOWN THAT ROAD.
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law went through medical school and not long after beginning her own practice she became very self conscience of her weight. Mostly she felt that as a physician who was over weight it was hypcritical to talk with patients about getting fit and eating right.
ReplyDeleteShe feels that a Doctor should have the appearence of health. The family was quite surprised when she jumped right into weight lose surgery without bating an eye. We thought it was a drastic thing to do (which it is) but she wanted fast results. She lost a lot of weight and even went through the whole body lift thing. My brother who was also overweight was so pleased with her end results that he followed suit with both the gastric bypass and eventually he had surgery to remove excess skin from his abdomin. He nearly died during that surgery.
Both have had complications. Including problems with pregnancy. Their surgeries were at least five years ago. Today she is still skinny and managing to handle the complications well. My brother on the other hand has gained nearly all his weight back.
Both regret doing this.
A co-worker of mine had lap band surgery. He was given goals to reach between each lap band adjustment. This was over two years ago and to date he has yet to find the motivation needed to reach those goals. So he had a surgery for no reason and remains very obese.
My wife worked (yes past tense) with a woman who had the bypass surgery. She was miserable and had a very restricted diet. A year after her surgery she was dead due to complications.
The big picture here is that regardless of an individuals choice that person needs to make and commit to a life style change.
Making that life style change is not easy. Its like smokers. I've known people who have smoked for years and quit cold turkey while others rely on nic gum or patches to help them over a period of time.
At forty I commited to a life change that lasted a year and half and over that time I lost over 40 pounds and became commited to exercising.
Following an injury I stopped exercising and feel right back into old habits. I put back on all the weight I lost and for the past two years I have struggled mentally with commiting back to a life style change that will work and last. Hopefully I'm finally getting there. I've been commited to walking and jogging since last May but only recently have I been honest about what I'm eating and how many calories I am actually taking in.
Ok this is long winded and I need to wrap up. Long story made short is that you need to find it within you and commit to it daily. Like me you have been struggling with this for a long time. Having known you for a while I know that the drive is within you. Only you can be the one that puts that drive into gear. So put it in D and get going.
Jonathan, I'm with the others here - the surgery is very drastic and can be fraught with life threatening complications - a friend of mine had infection after her surgery and wound up in a near death coma for several weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to all the good things you said your were going to do? Seems you say things, try them for a few weeks, then let any little excuse come into play to stop them. What happened to the home gym that was going to lead you to weight loss? What happened to Weight Watchers? What happened to you and Amber going to Whole Foods and preparing healthy meals? What happened to all of your personal trainers? What happened to your gym membership? The list seems to go on and on... just like I've said before - kind of like Ground Hog Day - repeated and broken promises (boasts) over and over again.