Never thought I would feel this good again

Aug 14, 2013

I'm just over 6 weeks post op and this is the best I have felt in at least 5 years.  I'm down more than 20% from where I started, but I think it is more than just the weight loss- I felt more energy within a week of surgery.  I think there are a number of reasons I feel better:

1. Taking control of my life.  Let's be honest, I didn't get to 370 pounds on purpose.  I ate whatever I felt like to make myself "feel better".  I think of it as the art of the quick fix.  Sure, I fed what I thought were my emotional needs, but what I didn't realize was that I was actually making things worse by not dealing with the source of my emotions.  Of course not having food as a coping mechanism has its own challenges but so far I have been doing okay.
2. Getting to the gym.  That's totally ironic, I understand, but hear me out.  I have been studying karate for 5 years so it's not like I haven't been working out at all.  But karate gave me an objective measure of how much my weight was affecting me.  I could tell that I was slower, not able to lift my kicks as high, and getting winded more easily.  Somehow as much as I exercised at the dojo, I couldn't  make myself see that I needed more.  Now I go to the gym everyday that I am not at the dojo.  It turns out that I feel better the more I go, just like everyone always said I would.  Part of it is taking control of my life (see #1) but some of it is the feel good part of making a commitment and sticking with it and some of it is just that "exercise high" that everyone talks about- turns out it is real!
3. I think the neurological and endocrinological changes associated with weight loss surgery are working.  after hearing talks about it, I hoped I would be one of those people who got the boosts they spoke of.  So far it has been working in my favor.  I am off of my blood pressure meds and my cholesterol meds.  It has been exactly as advertised.  How often does that happen?

This new energy and excitement has translated into being more productive at work, more useful around the house, and more fun to be around.  Even my friends have commented to my wife that I seem to have my old spark back.  I wish I could convey in words how much better I feel, but I figure if my friends, coworkers, students, and most importantly, my family all see it, then things must be going well.

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