Losing it...

[Daniel Meyer]

LOL!   They also don't build up as quickly as they once did but you are the disciplined and determined guy.  You will prevail!   

It helps that my trainer's trying to kill me

Quote from him one day after I "out cardio-ed" everybody else on the Assault Bikes (like, two of 'em abandoned the challenge to go puke!

"You're getting kind of hard to kill."

[Alien]

Wow man, you really did it.  I've been following your journey on your blog.  I appreciate you sharing it, it helps those of us on a similar path. 

Question:  Do you overall "feel" different?  more energy, etc?  I have heard a few post surgical folks in my bariatric classes say that there's things they miss, mainly being able to tolerate cooler temperatures and strength.  Curious as to what I'm in for.

Hope to see you at InZane this year.  Also, don't forget to write more books.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Daniel Meyer]

Wow man, you really did it.  I've been following your journey on your blog.  I appreciate you sharing it, it helps those of us on a similar path. 

Question:  Do you overall "feel" different?  more energy, etc?  I have heard a few post surgical folks in my bariatric classes say that there's things they miss, mainly being able to tolerate cooler temperatures and strength.  Curious as to what I'm in for.

Hope to see you at InZane this year.  Also, don't forget to write more books.

Ride Safe,

Alien

Much more energy, and since I used exercise/diet I didn't lose (and in fact gained) muscle. I'm stronger and in better shape then I've ever been.

The surgery I had was to remove excess skin...glad I did it...there was a major impediment to movement/etc...

As far as negatives...well...I DO get cold easier, as I'm not blubber insulated any more...but it's not really significant...BUT my motorcycle seat is NOT as comfortable as I've lost a LOT of padding LOL!

See ya in Inzane!

[Daniel Meyer]

...and since I used exercise/diet I didn't lose (and in fact gained) muscle.

It occurs to me that this may come across as "anti-bariatric surgery"...I'm not...do what works and that has worked for a LOT of people. What I'm clumsily suggesting is that you get some exercise so that you lose fat and preserve muscle while losing weight. Muscle is "money in the bank" for longevity and health...and is quite a bit harder to put on than fat

[Alien]

...and since I used exercise/diet I didn't lose (and in fact gained) muscle.

It occurs to me that this may come across as "anti-bariatric surgery"...I'm not...do what works and that has worked for a LOT of people. What I'm clumsily suggesting is that you get some exercise so that you lose fat and preserve muscle while losing weight. Muscle is "money in the bank" for longevity and health...and is quite a bit harder to put on than fat

I didn't take you to be anti-bariatric.  I'm still on the fence about the surgery.  Honestly, my problem is something that you touched on in your blog.  Putting myself first, before family, friends and work feels unnatural to me.  It's something that I'm working on because I know that regardless of which route I take, prioritizing myself is something that must be done.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Daniel Meyer]

....  Putting myself first, before family, friends and work feels unnatural to me.  It's something that I'm working on because I know that regardless of which route I take, prioritizing myself is something that must be done.

Quite frankly, this is the root of the problem. I have a VERY good friend (riding partner) that had the surgery...and it worked...lost the weight, killed the diabetes etc...

BUT...

In discussing this with him a year after, he is quite frank in that what the surgery actually did...was enforce an eating regimen...since if he ate the wrong stuff he would get violently ill...and THAT made his family support and enable HIS proper eating habits...his wife does all the shopping/cooking and would not change before that...and he was unwilling to force the issue...until it became obviously mandatory...

So...the surgery can just be an instigator of the requisite change...

That's partly how I managed the change...I just self-enforced the same basic eating habit I'd HAVE to do if I had the surgery...

Doing it that worked, and it's NOT as rigid...as in...now that I've lost the weight and killed the diabetes I can slip some occasional treats into my diet...

[Daniel Meyer]

I stared at the man in the mirror for a long while this morning. I STILL don't recognize him...but...at least now I can see he's on his way to becoming the man I always thought I was.

...or perhaps dreamed I could be.

http://lifeisaroad.com/blog/2019/12/07/mostly-human/

[shortleg]

    We all saw the man inside anyway.

[NewValker]

Hey Daniel,
Just wanted to say thanks again for sharing your journey and motivating me to lose weight and hopefully live a healthier lifestyle.
I hit my goal of losing 75 lbs. today. It took 3 years & 2 days to do it. Lots of ups & downs along the road. Along with 2 hip replacements. I was wearing 46" waist jeans, now 38" and they're too big!
I'm almost 62, but I feel better and can do more than I could 15 years ago. I hit the gym at least 5 days a week, and have joined a Group Power class. Nothing like peer pressure to motivate ya!
I'm under 14 minute miles on the treadmill. When I got the ok to walk after surgery, I was over 28 minutes.
And I hear you about the man in the mirror, 

Thanks again,
Craig

[Jess from VA]

Impressive work Craig (and Daniel). 

[Daniel Meyer]

Hey Daniel,
Just wanted to say thanks again for sharing your journey and motivating me to lose weight and hopefully live a healthier lifestyle.
I hit my goal of losing 75 lbs. today. It took 3 years & 2 days to do it. Lots of ups & downs along the road. Along with 2 hip replacements. I was wearing 46" waist jeans, now 38" and they're too big!
I'm almost 62, but I feel better and can do more than I could 15 years ago. I hit the gym at least 5 days a week, and have joined a Group Power class. Nothing like peer pressure to motivate ya!
I'm under 14 minute miles on the treadmill. When I got the ok to walk after surgery, I was over 28 minutes.
And I hear you about the man in the mirror, 

Thanks again,
Craig

Awesome work! Glad to hear I was in some small way an influence to the positive!

...and rock on!

[Daniel Meyer]

A 3-month post surgery update...in which I succeed and improve...and fail as well...

http://lifeisaroad.com/blog/2020/02/14/a-post-surgery-fitness-update/

[hubcapsc]

Hang in there, what's you're doing is hard. Looking forward
to seeing you happy and well at InZane...

-Mike

[Daniel Meyer]

An update...

My journey (so far). Give it a view.

https://youtu.be/MhlGr7l9wgQ

I do need to thank Rowlett Transformation Center and my trainers not just for teaching me *how*...but for teaching me that I *could*.

Main lessons learned?
--Life, not just fitness...is mostly...a head game.
--I am, above all else...a work in progress.

[Alien]

Wow Daniel.  Just wow.  A lot of what you said hit home for me.  Thank you for so openly sharing a very personal journey.  During this, I've begun following your blog for updates and have drawn inspiration from what you've had to say.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Valkorado]

     Fantastic video, Daniel!  Rowlett may indeed have set you on a path, but the transformation came from that man in the mirror!   

Amazing!!!

[matt]

That is freaking awesome!!!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

What an honest, well put together video ! Thanks for sharing it with us. 

[Robert]

What a journey, congratulations on a life change.

[Willow]

Daniel, you are an inspiration.  Your self discipline is phenomenal.   

[NewValker]

Yes, as stated, truly an inspiration!!
I've lost 100 lbs and know the hard work I put in. So you've done more than double the work I did.  I can't imagine.....
I've maintained for almost 2 months now, and feeling better than I have in 30 years. Off BP meds, cholesterol meds, & pain meds.

Thanks for sharing your story Daniel, got a feeling you've helped more people than you know.

Craig

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yes, as stated, truly an inspiration!!
I've lost 100 lbs and know the hard work I put in. So you've done more than double the work I did.  I can't imagine.....
I've maintained for almost 2 months now, and feeling better than I have in 30 years. Off BP meds, cholesterol meds, & pain meds.

Thanks for sharing your story Daniel, got a feeling you've helped more people than you know.

Craig

Wow ! Good job Craig 

[NewValker]

Thanks Rob.   

[Oldfishguy]

Awesome story!

[Daniel Meyer]

Yes, as stated, truly an inspiration!!
I've lost 100 lbs and know the hard work I put in. So you've done more than double the work I did.  I can't imagine.....
I've maintained for almost 2 months now, and feeling better than I have in 30 years. Off BP meds, cholesterol meds, & pain meds.

Thanks for sharing your story Daniel, got a feeling you've helped more people than you know.

Craig

Awesome! Rock on!!

[Daniel Meyer]

Daniel, you are an inspiration.  Your self discipline is phenomenal.   

The whole thing ends up giving me a raging case of impostor syndrome though...intellectually I know what I've accomplished...emotionally I keep expecting somebody important to jump out of the woodwork and tell me how full of crap I am... :/

Strange stuff LOL!

[Willow]

Daniel, you are an inspiration.  Your self discipline is phenomenal.   

The whole thing ends up giving me a raging case of impostor syndrome though...intellectually I know what I've accomplished...emotionally I keep expecting somebody important to jump out of the woodwork and tell me how full of crap I am... :/

Strange stuff LOL!

Self doubt tends to haunt many of us.  Just yesterday I went into the resting place thinking I just desperately needed to urinate.  It turned out that I was indeed full of crap.

Keep your eyes off the woodwork.  There are lots of false spooks waiting there.  Look straight into the mirror and tell the image there that he has taken charge, has accomplished a phenomenal thing and continues to accomplish a change in life direction.  You are the man!

[Daniel Meyer]

Haven't updated this in a while...thought it was time.

I'm no longer focused on losing weight...haven't been for a while. I DO have some fat to lose, and am working that, but my main focus is on adding muscle...an interesting process for an old guy.

Also a VERY weird headspace to be in...I've been in a life or death battle with my weight for my entire lifetime...and losing.

But...I won.

[DIGGER]

you are doing great!!!    hang in there.    Its a very very hard thing to do. Stay committed

[Jess from VA]

Danial that is an awesome accomplishment.   

I still have some 32" jeans from decades ago. 

The only way I'll ever wear them is if I get badly sick, and survive.

I've donated a ton of nice clothing, suits, dress shoes, coats and other things to those in need.

But not those jeans.    

[matt]

That's freaking awesome Daniel