The Journey Is the Destination

I’ll admit that I’m spoiled. You probably are, too. That’s because in this fast-food, self-serve, 24-hour, 800-number, microwave-safe, Shopping Network world we all live in, we’ve become accustomed to instant gratification. Along the way, we’ve lost the thrill of the journey and all we can see is the destination.

The problem arises when we try to apply that line of thinking it to more “weighty” matters. The “see it, want it, get it” mentality can quickly become a “see it, want it, EAT IT” compulsion if we’re not careful.

Losing weight and keeping it off is not a destination it’s a journey, and a lifelong one at that. Many of us have lost our way somewhere along that journey, and our instant gratification world is partly to blame. I say partly to blame because, in the end, we have full control over what we put into our mouths and the responsibility rests squarely on our shoulders.

The Enemy Within

So, how can we stand strong in the face of a society that takes its best shot at making us believe we deserve anything we want? We can start by recognizing the enemy (media, marketers, and ourselves) and devising a plan to keep these foes at bay.

Are you surprised that I added “ourselves” to the list of enemies? Don’t be. Every time we give into to a food craving, we take another step toward unleashing an eating compulsion. We end up desensitizing ourselves to the false message our urges are sending and, before we know it, we’ve gained weight. That, in turn, creates depression and what do most of us do when we’re depressed? We eat.

Resisting Temptation

How do we slow down this insatiable quest for more? How do we learn to not only survive the journey, but to actually enjoy the scenery along the way?

I believe that each stepping stone we stand on along the path is exactly where we are supposed to be at that very moment. As you move from one stone to the next, your perspective will be completely different new things will come into view, and familiar sights will fade into the distance. Life keeps changing with each step. So, whether you have been successfully managing your weight or you just went on a weekend Ben & Jerry’s bender, you are right on track. That’s because there’s no quick fix for learning to live differently. It’s a process.

At times, you will undoubtedly feel like you’re on unfamiliar ground. Just remember, we have not been cast upon a tightrope to try and get from fat to thin. Life after weight loss surgery is not a precarious balancing act during which we breathlessly run for safety. Although new, the ground we are standing on is very solid. Many have traveled before you, and you will find that you are in front of others. The issues we face are not about the starting point and destination, but about the journey. Most of us didn’t have an eating problem, we had a living problem. The journey is learning to navigate life, without feeling as if we have to run to safety.

Gratitude for Today

If you’ve got happiness on hold until you get to the “destination”, you’re never going to have it. Happiness isn’t over there, because “there” continues to move. The key is to enjoy the little things that you see along the way and use their magic and beauty to divert you from the temptations that can lead you off the path. Enjoy nature, an original gift from a loving Father. Organize a weekly game night with friends. Take walks. Turn off the television and go putter in the garden. Look at the gifts that God has given you and turn your back on the Trojan horses of instant gratification the “world” offers up as temptations.

Learning to live a new life after weight loss surgery is all about awareness, awareness of your surroundings, and of yourself. By staying in the now and appreciating the small blessings of everyday life, you can experience an awesome sense of gratitude for the second chance that you’ve been given. Don’t beat yourself up if you occasionally slip and fall. You’re never going to be perfect, but you are going to grow wise. Keep moving forward, and enjoy the view from each new stepping stone in your life.

Tags: gastric bypass, bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery, obesity surgery, lapband, gastric bypass surgery support