Weight No More: Adam's Journey to Wellness
How it started, before Wegovy and Mounjaro
Like everyone else who is or has been obese, the time I was at my biggest, on reflection, was the most difficult time of my life—physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. It took me eighteen years to realize that the perpetrator of these difficult times was myself: the lies I told myself, the excuses I made, and the environment I had created for myself.
Let’s start with the lies. There were many, but I have whittled them down to three main ones.
I was young, young people don’t have medical problems associated with weight.
I didn’t need to lose weight as I wasn’t sick. Type two diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders were for fat old people. This lie had formulated due to my dealing with older overweight people in my A&E job, who were having acute-on-chronic episodes. I did not associate weight-related problems in your 50s, 60s, and 70s starting in your 30s and 40s, when the foundation for these chronic weight-related diseases is being laid.
I was important.
Especially in my role in A&E, it was irrelevant that I was 22st/136kg. My expertise and opinion mattered. I was a key member of the team and a valued member of society. I used this lie personally to consume excessive amounts of poor nutrition, as I deserved it because I was so awesome. The dopamine I got from consuming terrible ultra-processed and fast food was my reward.
I was strong.
I could move heavy objects. I looked strong. I felt strong. I wasn’t. Mass moves mass. Moving a heavy object once is not strength. I looked big, but it was fat and not muscle.
Excuses. Again, so many, but the three most relevant below.
I don’t eat a lot; it must be my metabolism.
Nonsense. I ate a lot, a lot of ultra-processed and fast food. I was naive and uneducated regarding nutrition.
I don’t have time to go to the gym.
I am busy. I don’t do early mornings as I need my rest on my days off. I needed my rest because I was so obese. My sleep was terrible because of this. I made myself busy with activities that gave me no exercise, dopamine hits, to make myself feel better subconsciously about my current situation.
I am happy.
I have a good life, going on holidays, eating and drinking what I want, nice car, living in a nice area, good career. I am winning at life, why would I want to change? This is all pointless without my health.
Environment
The type of environment I found myself in was one of comfort and being sedentary. The search for comfort on reflection was again to make myself feel better. The idea of comfort food, lying on the sofa, driving everywhere, parking as close as possible, hot tubs, convenience food, and delivery of fast foods. This environment I created is because I deserved it. However, other than long hours and hard study, what have I done to deserve this comfort?
The answer is nothing. I just felt entitled, that this is my right, and everything around me caters for this environment for their own financial gain at the expense of my health.
Next blog:
The introduction of Wegovy (Semaglutide), personal trainer and my lack of
knowledge regarding nutrition.
To learn more about how we can help you on your weight loss journey, click here.