Rock Bottom...

"I don't care what you say
Oh no, you got to pay
When you hit rock bottom
And you're there to stay..." - Kiss, "Rock Bottom"


One of the things that I have realized over the course of my weightloss journey is that my previous attempts failed for one reason - I did not hit rock bottom. That's the point where there is no where to go but up. The point where you actually break down and say, "enough is enough and I am not going to live like this anymore". Many people make valiant efforts to change, but they fail because they have not come to that realization.

I hit that realization a little over 2 years ago. My doctor pretty much gave me the grim outlook that surgery was my last and only hope. I struggled with that for the longest time, searching the web for the pros/cons and not liking the information I was finding. I signed up for the orientation to find out more information on how the whole procedure worked and also to talk to the team of doctors and nurses about the downsides.

My mother-in-law went with me so that someone else was there to listen to the information and come up with questions that I might not have thought of. I was surprised at what awaited us at the orientation. There was a buffet. Not a cookies and teacakes buffet, but a full-blown buffet with sliced meats, salads, chips, pop, & all sorts of desserts. All this at a weight loss surgery seminar. The images from looking around the room will haunt me for the rest of my life. Extra wide wheelchairs, people with extra-strength walkers & canes, people larger than I was.

One image I will never forget was that of an older woman balancing a tray of food and drinks on her walker trying to waddle back to her seat. I still think of that from time to time.

One by one, the doctors and nurses came forward to explain their part in the procedure from the psychological examination to fitness training and exit consultations. Then they paraded several successful candidates of the surgery who told their stories, the last being a gentleman that seemed to have every conceivable complication both during and following the surgery. This did not help my fears at all.

But a seed was planted at that meeting by the doctors and nurses. Every one of them that came forward seemed to pound home the point that the surgery is not an end-all be-all. It is a tool to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to lose and maintain weightloss. I began to think, "If I have to change my eating habits and exercise, why go through the expense and uncertainty of surgery?"

It was while cleaning my office that the scales were finally removed from my eyes and I saw clearly. I had finally (thank the Lord!) hit rock bottom. I began to do research on the internet about making lifestyle changes and hooked up with the wonderful and supportive people on the alt.support.diet newsgroup. Through their suggestions and support, I was able to develop a plan to change my life for the good.

As with everything else, it takes time. The key is you have to hit rock bottom before you are able to make any changes to last the rest of your life. So whether it's losing weight, stopping smoking or drinking, viewing pornography, whatever it might be - you need to hit rock bottom so the Lord can start with a clean foundation.


"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." - Bill Cosby

Matty

**I am not for or against the weightloss surgery. I do not condemn anyone that has chosen that option for their lives. I simply found that the surgery was no longer an option that I wanted to pursue. **