How has all this impacted me physically?
Well, initially last fall, I went through a rough patch with my fiance, and I lost another 10 lbs, which was pretty awesome. Then we made up, he moved over here, and things were great. Well....great times build complacency. Cuddling in bed snacking on chex mix and eating crap in general, along with stress and no exercise = I gained 30 lbs!!!
The reality of the weight gain is pressing on me emotionally and de-motivates me even more. I have still not found the desire to incorporate enough exercise into my day/week to the point where I lose weight. My sugar addiction does not wane...even when I tried self hypnosis. Behavior modification is my only hope. This is the ultimate irony...because as I know my surgical pouch has naturally stretched in the past two years...I still am at square 1 with the mental challenges of dealing with food.
I just started graduate school this fall, and I'm going to be a licensed counselor. I want to help other people, but I know first I need to help myself...something along the lines of physician heal thyself...
So I got the Bible of behavioral programs according to my research, it's called Self Directed Behavior by David L. Watson, and Roland G. Tharp. I'm hoping by following a good behavior modification program, joining my local gastric bypass support group, and participating in online support groups like: http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/gastric-bypass-forums/
that I can finally turn the corner in the right direction. Maybe if I finally "get" it, then eventually when I'm a counselor I can help others get it. One of the biggest mistakes in gastric bypass surgery practice is the lack of help/focus given to both pre-op and post-op psychological help. Research I've read about obesity shows that people who have problems with weight and food need a life time program of behavioral change and support. If you don't have that, then you are destined to regress.
I'm hoping to post more this year as I go through a number of changes, and hopefully successes in modifying my own behavior. Here are some recent pics to help you see where I'm at physically:
