Joining the Losers Bench Changed My Life
On October 21, 2016 I embarked on a new journey joining the losers bench changed my life for the greater. Joining the “Losers Bench” A.K.A bariatric weight loss surgery community that day I gained an entire village of supporters for life. Although I could have reached out for support and I did not. Little did I know…… I felt like a LOSER literally after 6 months, let me explain!
I went on the journey ready for all the obstacles to come my way but yet I thought it was going to be “easy peasy”. I was dead wrong and wished I prepared myself more beforehand. Ninety percent of losing the weight was mental yet somehow I missed that thought process altogether.
I was sent to see a therapist prior to insurance approval and discovered some underlying emotions in my session, but still, that one session did not prepare me for what was in store for the months ahead.
There were moments that I felt like my weight was simply not going to budge. It would be difficult to get rid of old habits such as soda, fast food and lazy days of not working out. Or possibly losing the weight and still not becoming happy with myself, I think that was my worst fear. I could have even been fearful of being successful at the weight loss and just ruined it for myself before I even started. My hubby seems to think it is the last one!
When I had that “stinking thinking” and let doubt set in.
I defeated myself before I even started well.
I thought back to all the times I was fed up with the weight. How I was out of breath, tired and had low self-esteem. I thought of the moment when I almost did not have the surgery because my insurance carrier denied me and how I almost missed my surgery date. I remember how low I felt…..just HOPELESS.
I knew that I was far from that….HOPELESS! I knew that I was wonderfully made in God’s sight and he created me to have life and to live it abundantly. He would never give up on me, so what makes it okay to give up on myself?
Just Try, Try, Try again!
This is a journey, not a sprint.
Once I changed my mindset that I CAN do anything I set my mind too, everything shifted!
I begin to make more cautious decisions on what I choose to eat and made sure exercise was in my daily routine.
Meal prepping my meals and taking them along with me so that I would not be tempted to stop by that drive-thru window. Made sure I carried water with me at all times so I could try my best to get in 64 ounces of water a day. I upped my workout plans from 30 minutes, 60 minutes on the treadmill, then started running off and on throughout my walking. Next, I added weights and also my husband’s workout plan eventually. He’s a personal trainer, which is a great thing most of the time until he is training my tail off. LOL!
I came a long way on this journey and I did not want to sabotage it by negative thinking. I certainly did not want to dismiss all the positives that I gained so far with my weight loss.
- I gained more energy
- My blood pressure is lower now
- I can go up and down the steps faster and I do not mind using them as much
- Higher self-esteem
- More confidence
- Smaller clothing and shoe size
The list goes on!
When I look back at my old photos for the real proof that I succeeded on this weight loss journey. I did not have to be a size 5 or some other thought made up in my head.
Success was not giving up when it seemed hopeless!
Success is the determination to keep going and continue the journey!
Success is accepting that everything is not perfect but embracing it anyway!
I learned through the process that I totally joined the “Losers Bench” on October 21, 2016. I lost that hopelessness and gained nothing but Hope.