BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition

Rant - Gratitude is an attitude.

I don’t want to start off 2005 with a negative rant… I want to start off with a message of gratitude. As I sit here at my computer, eating my dish of sugar free frozen yogurt, contemplating the tragedy of the tsunami, it is so simple for me to put my little surgical life in perspective. I am so fortunate to live in the United States where I have so much and enjoy such opportunity. Even though I live in Florida where 4 hurricanes blasted through our lives this summer, at least we could prepare for the impact and secure our belongings, surrounding ourselves with battery powered lanterns and plenty of food, while clutching our insurance policies.

In regards to this surgery, our lives have been touched by an amazing piece of medical technology that we can use to regain our health because we do live a life of privilege in terms of the rest of the world. Yet we whine about the taste of our protein shakes, and complain about the size of vitamins we need to take.

We should all think about our good fortune and appreciate the second chance at health we have right in front of us that is there for the taking. The past is gone and we can’t change it or the way we lived our life, our surgery can change our future but only if we realize what opportunity we have in the present.

Take responsibility for your life. Realize that there are lifestyle changes that you must make sacrifices for. Understand that protein and vitamins are not merely suggestions, they are mandatory. Grasp the reality of this. Be aware that if you don’t take proper calcium supplements there is the possibility that in ten years you will be shorter than you are at this very minute.

There are so many things in this world that are so totally out of our control that many of us just aren’t ready when our surgeon hands our future back to us.

Have a wonderful New Year… and enjoy good fortune and good health!

Susan Maria