On these pages you will find real stories from real people that will help you celebrate the good times and small success as well as get through the hard times and tough decisions.

Everyone Cheats So Get Over It and Get On With It

Okay I admit it! I’m, not perfect! Are you satisfied now? The answer is, “I wish I was.”

Two- plus years after weight loss surgery and bingeing, it caught up with me. I thought bingeing was part of an old, bad dream. Surprise! Weight loss surgery is not a magic bullet. All of my problems did not automatically solve themselves so that I would have a problem-free (read “binge-free”) future. Darn!

Bingeing for me is not just overeating – it is not walking. It is not taking the required vitamin supplements. It is not getting enough hydrolyzed protein. It is not doing many of the things required of a new/post-op/on-maintenance weight loss surgery patient for continuing success. Basically, bingeing is my not caring enough about me.

I woke up one day 10 lbs. over my last check-in weight. Scared? You bet! One day it’s 10 lbs., and the next day, it could easily be 300 plus pounds! Again! So, what do you do after the screaming and crying stops? You get busy!

First you call someone, anyone, and admit that you’re not perfect. After that belly laugh, you put on your walking shoes and walk. It doesn’t matter where or how far, just as long as you walk there and back.

Second, your next bite of food is weight loss surgery legal. So is the second bite. And the third… Get the idea?

Now, with the momentum started in the right direction, strengthen your resolve. Wear the color Red and a belt. HUH!? Red is a color promoting power and control. Isn’t that what we need to keep going, especially now? Wear a Red shirt, Red undies, Red socks, Red nail polish! Just wear Red and feel your personal power and control develop.

Oh, and remember the belt. For too long, we were out of touch with ourselves, physically. Wearing a belt reminds us we have a waist and that we are smaller then before when we didn’t have a waist at all! Celebrate what you have accomplished so you can refocus on making the right choices for yourself, starting now.

Remember the saying, “You can eat an elephant one bite at a time?” Well, truth be told, even in the middle of a binge, I’d never eat an elephant, but the idea is sound. Take it one step at a time towards your success. Stop berating yourself for the weight gain. Instead, reward yourself for your successes, including getting back on track.

Me? I made the call to a friend, admitting to being less than perfect. We talked about how and when I lost sight of my need and goals. We’ve talked a couple of times since, and I must admit to learning something from this experience.

I have the personal power to choose how to deal with the difficulties/problems/stress of life – the ups and downs of being human. Binging destroyed my self worth, did nothing to alleviate or solve the issue before me, and negatively affected all other areas of my life. What was I thinking?!?

I wasn’t! And, that defines the entire experience. Bingeing is not thinking. It is mindless reaction to a stimulant.

I am thinking now. I am choosing now. I am living now!

- Anonymous

Everyone has a story of inspiration or conflict. What is yours?

Why not share it so we all might benefit.

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