The View on Size

I don't know about you, but I've been overweight for all of my adult life. I've fallen into the "obese" category. There were times when my weight was more in check than other times, but I've always remained obese.

One thing to keep in the back of your mind when you're on any weight loss program whether it been Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, or good old fashioned diet and exercise is how are people going to perceive you? How are you going to see yourself?

Do people treat overweight people differently than average weight people? Out of the people I've spoken to about post surgery life the answer is overwhelmingly "yes". Is it right? Of course not, but I suppose it depends on who you ask. Our society is bombarded with images of super thin women and athletic looking men. It always makes me giggle when Whitney Thompson, winner of the tenth cycle of America's Next Top Model, is called plus-size. Seriously? She's a size 10! If I were a size 10 I would consider myself healthy, not plus-size.

Last year I met a girl named Monique who had undergone gastric bypass. Out of everyone I had met who'd had the surgery, she made the most impact on me. Monique is about the same age as me, had the same weight history and was about the weight I am now when she had the surgery. She looks fantastic! When we got to talking about the surgery I thought it was interesting when she made the comment, "I hope you and your husband have a strong relationship because you just wait until you lose all your weight." What was that supposed to mean? She went on to explain that in her experience she was treated differently once the weight came off. This was something I hadn't yet considered.

Once I have my surgery and my weight is in a normal range I am interested to see if I will be treated differently. I've often wondered how I will change, other than physically of course. Right now I have no idea and I hope to relay some of my observations as I continue on in my quest to become healthy. As a daughter of the most High King, I trust that He's led me to this place of acceptance of myself and the will to change my lifestyle. I also trust that He will protect my heart and mind!