Re: Some observations of obesity

June 12, 2004

Hi Gemello

Ohhhh your mom is going go hug and dote all over you boy ! I am glad you had a nice outing with Zach, I agree about the weight watchers thing, it works but after a ceratin length of time on it i would just get to a cracking point and go off the points and then pack on more weight ...........................Have a good visit with your mom !

ColleenGemello DiGiovanni wrote:

Just an odd post…This evening Zack and I went to Applebee's for dinner. As usual, weight was always at the forefront of my mind.As we looked at the menus, I noticed that they were new. There is a whole section devoted to Weight Watchers (WW), and all the appetizers, entrees and desserts in that section have the point values. Talk about convenient for WW members.I pointed out the section to Zack who has seen me struggle in the past with numerous times of being a WW member. Over and over again I lost and regained. I actually think WW is a good program for people who have a little to loose, but for the morbidly obese person, there's just no way. At least, it didn't work for me. All I did was gain 10 lbs more than I had lost each time. That pattern got me to 315 lbs!I held up the menu to Zack and said, "I can't tell

you how wonderful it feels not to have to ever join Weight Watchers again!" I'm finally free of that burden.Then I sipped my decaf coffee and looked around the restaurant. I saw so many overweight people just like I had been. Some were really morbidly obese, and I could see the pain in their movements, trying to fit into the booths or on the bar stools. I'd say that at least 50 to 60% of the patrons there were seriously overweight. About that many of the staff were obese too. Obesity really is such an epidemic in the US.Before I our meal came, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. As I lathered up my hands, I looked at my new body in the mirror and just smiled (beamed) with thankfulness. Dare I say that my body actually looked a bit lanky? But I think part of that is my recent military style buzz cut. I'm going to see my Mom tomorrow for the first time since before my reconstructive surgery. I'm sure she's

going to think that I'm starving to death. She always tells me that I look so skinny. (She says it sweetly, full on Mom's love, not in a critical way). Skinny is word that doesn't quite fit, but 138 lbs sure does make a huge (no pun intended) difference.Well, I'll stop rambling now. Thanks for reading.Gemello-138 lbs

June 12, 2004

Hi Gemello

Ohhhh your mom is going go hug and dote all over you boy ! I am glad you had a nice outing with Zach, I agree about the weight watchers thing, it works but after a ceratin length of time on it i would just get to a cracking point and go off the points and then pack on more weight ...........................Have a good visit with your mom !

ColleenGemello DiGiovanni wrote:

Just an odd post…This evening Zack and I went to Applebee's for dinner. As usual, weight was always at the forefront of my mind.As we looked at the menus, I noticed that they were new. There is a whole section devoted to Weight Watchers (WW), and all the appetizers, entrees and desserts in that section have the point values. Talk about convenient for WW members.I pointed out the section to Zack who has seen me struggle in the past with numerous times of being a WW member. Over and over again I lost and regained. I actually think WW is a good program for people who have a little to loose, but for the morbidly obese person, there's just no way. At least, it didn't work for me. All I did was gain 10 lbs more than I had lost each time. That pattern got me to 315 lbs!I held up the menu to Zack and said, "I can't tell

you how wonderful it feels not to have to ever join Weight Watchers again!" I'm finally free of that burden.Then I sipped my decaf coffee and looked around the restaurant. I saw so many overweight people just like I had been. Some were really morbidly obese, and I could see the pain in their movements, trying to fit into the booths or on the bar stools. I'd say that at least 50 to 60% of the patrons there were seriously overweight. About that many of the staff were obese too. Obesity really is such an epidemic in the US.Before I our meal came, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. As I lathered up my hands, I looked at my new body in the mirror and just smiled (beamed) with thankfulness. Dare I say that my body actually looked a bit lanky? But I think part of that is my recent military style buzz cut. I'm going to see my Mom tomorrow for the first time since before my reconstructive surgery. I'm sure she's

going to think that I'm starving to death. She always tells me that I look so skinny. (She says it sweetly, full on Mom's love, not in a critical way). Skinny is word that doesn't quite fit, but 138 lbs sure does make a huge (no pun intended) difference.Well, I'll stop rambling now. Thanks for reading.Gemello-138 lbs

June 12, 2004

Hi Gemello

Ohhhh your mom is going go hug and dote all over you boy ! I am glad you had a nice outing with Zach, I agree about the weight watchers thing, it works but after a ceratin length of time on it i would just get to a cracking point and go off the points and then pack on more weight ...........................Have a good visit with your mom !

ColleenGemello DiGiovanni wrote:

Just an odd post…This evening Zack and I went to Applebee's for dinner. As usual, weight was always at the forefront of my mind.As we looked at the menus, I noticed that they were new. There is a whole section devoted to Weight Watchers (WW), and all the appetizers, entrees and desserts in that section have the point values. Talk about convenient for WW members.I pointed out the section to Zack who has seen me struggle in the past with numerous times of being a WW member. Over and over again I lost and regained. I actually think WW is a good program for people who have a little to loose, but for the morbidly obese person, there's just no way. At least, it didn't work for me. All I did was gain 10 lbs more than I had lost each time. That pattern got me to 315 lbs!I held up the menu to Zack and said, "I can't tell

you how wonderful it feels not to have to ever join Weight Watchers again!" I'm finally free of that burden.Then I sipped my decaf coffee and looked around the restaurant. I saw so many overweight people just like I had been. Some were really morbidly obese, and I could see the pain in their movements, trying to fit into the booths or on the bar stools. I'd say that at least 50 to 60% of the patrons there were seriously overweight. About that many of the staff were obese too. Obesity really is such an epidemic in the US.Before I our meal came, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. As I lathered up my hands, I looked at my new body in the mirror and just smiled (beamed) with thankfulness. Dare I say that my body actually looked a bit lanky? But I think part of that is my recent military style buzz cut. I'm going to see my Mom tomorrow for the first time since before my reconstructive surgery. I'm sure she's

going to think that I'm starving to death. She always tells me that I look so skinny. (She says it sweetly, full on Mom's love, not in a critical way). Skinny is word that doesn't quite fit, but 138 lbs sure does make a huge (no pun intended) difference.Well, I'll stop rambling now. Thanks for reading.Gemello-138 lbs

June 12, 2004

Gemello:

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your postings.

There are always truths in your posts that articulate what is unsaid

in all of us and truths that will reveal themselves to us as we

progress along our WLS journeys. Your comments about Weight Watchers

made me think about one of my coworkers. She started with WW @ a

worksite meeting about a year before I started my WLS journey. Of

course, as my friend (who only had 60 lbs to lose all together), she

kept on trying to recruit me since our fondness for good food and

being overweight was one of our favorite topics of conversation. I

did join the worksite meeting group and, of course, anytime one

reduces their caloric intake, I lost about 40 lbs. I quickly found

the same 40 lbs. when I didn't re-up after the six-week WW worksite

meeting program was over. I soon after that started on my WLS journey

and all along, up until the time I had surgery, my friend kept on

reminding me that since I was losing weight on my own so well (the

pre-op weight loss), that I could just finish it off on WW and skip

the surgery. She was a little miffed when I had reached my 50 lbs.

pre-op WLS goal in a few months after it took her over 1-1/2 years to

do that on WW.

Anyways, a few weeks ago, she came to my cubie at work and we were

talking and one of our other coworkers came up and exclaimed in a

good-natured way, " Look! It's the two amazing shrinking women right

before my eyes! I need to get on the program and do what you two are

doing! "

To my surprise, my friend said, " Yeah...you can either do it the right

way with WW or get surgery like her. " I didn't realize that my weight

loss bothered her so much - especially when I had close to three times

more weight to lose than she. I guess I expected more empathy and

thought that, as my friend, she was genuinely happy for my success as

I was proud of hers. Needless to say, your advise about coworkers

came to mind and I am now distancing myself from her and keeping it

strictly business. Too bad, but it's her loss (bad pun).

That's OK..speaking about moms...I have one of those moms who doesn't

give praise out easily, but the other day, one of her friends who I

haven't seen since before my pre-op weight loss, came in the house (my

mother lives with my family) after dropping Mom off, and commented to

me, you look great and your Mom is so proud of you, she keeps on

talking about your amazing weight loss! " That was good for my soul.

So, considering that I'm only half way there on my WLS journey, I can

only imagine how proud your mom and your family are of you, Gemello!

ette from Elk Grove

Dr. Fisher - 3/30/04

Pre-op-351/Surgery Weight-298/Current-256 and losing

> Just an odd post?

>

> This evening Zack and I went to Applebee's for dinner. As usual,

> weight was always at the forefront of my mind.

>

> As we looked at the menus, I noticed that they were new. There is a

> whole section devoted to Weight Watchers (WW), and all the

> appetizers, entrees and desserts in that section have the point

> values. Talk about convenient for WW members.

>

June 12, 2004