Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Note to self: Don't be so competitive!


VDB

Recommended Posts

OK, My guy thing has been kicking in. I just hit 8 months out from by-pass surgery, I have lost over 100#, but to my competitive nature, it is not enough. I look at other's bigger losses, and feel inadequate. I know this is stupid, but it is the way I am. So, to myself -- CUT IT OUT!

It should be enough that my diabetes, which had been out of control even with lots of effort, is 90% better. Off all blood pressure meds, after 40 years on. Blood fats best in 45 years, cholesterol is low! Wow. Truly severe crippling edema in legs and feet. Gone! Mobility up -- can now ride my bicycle for the first time in 30+ years. (funny thing, had kept my old great bike all these years, moving it with me all over the country, I find it is now an antique). Waist from 56 to 42. From 4xl shirts to XL. Now get all my clothes on EBAY (Men, try it -- very good, very inexpensive stuff as men's clothing has low resale value on EBAY) which is great since I have gone through so many wardrobes.

But no, I get all worried about being a slacker. My PA at Bariatric (saw last week) is happy. Testosterone poisoning, I guess. I will work on it, I promise. 70 pounds to go. Thanks for listening.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your weigh loss thus far.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations!

Let your competitiveness help you be the most awesome you that you can be. You don't have to compete with anyone else to be awesome!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think its completely a testosterone thing. I am feeling the same way, I need to lose more, even though I have come so far already

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Competitiveness is a blessing and a curse, or in our better natures a tool. But if the only tool you have is a hammer, you will tend to see every problem as a nail. So they key is to channel the energy to maximum advantage. That can only be done by mindfully determining goals that work for you. I would suggest that you turn from scale victories to NSV's like biking etc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I feel the same way when I see someone who has roughly the same stats and has hit milestones that I haven't I get that competitive urge.

Its hard, but it can be a good thing or a curse like OKC said. Don't let it rule your WLS path :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know exactly how you feel! I finally had to stop myself from looking at other;s stats and focusing on how far I've come. Also, the suggestion above about NSVs is dead on. The numbers don't mean as much as dropping 14 pant sizes and 4 shirt sizes! That is an incredible accomplishment. Even more impressive are the health benefits you list. You are kicking butt, my friend!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your weigh loss thus far.

Thanks, James! Merry Christmas, love your blog and writing, very helpful to us newbies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×