Body Acceptance - WLS fixes the body, not the brain.

[@jenfranklin9788]

I'm glad you posted this thank you.

[@trophywifesoon1956]

I'm awe struck.. This is hands down one of the best heartfelt and touching videos I've ever seen. You had me at the Mizzou beanie, but your words touched my heart. I think you spoke so eloquently about your struggles. And so many others including myself. Thank you for being so real! You have another loyal subscriber. Thank you Liz for recommending this video. 💚💚💚💚💚

[@GastricTiger]

Trophy Wife Soon Thanks. I appreciate your words. This was a hard video for me to make. I'm glad it helped you.

[@jedibitch]

Man do I so identify with this video! EVERY WORD! Very honest, sir and much appreciated.

[@vsgandy2928]

Thanks Scott for sharing, we are all with you!!!

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Andy. Glad to have you with me.

[@beinggwendolyn8540]

I am very glad you decided to post the video and share.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Gwendolyn. Sometimes it's hard to share these personal vids, but those seem to be the most useful to the community. Glad you got something out of it.

[@patriciaoji3255]

Thank you so much not only for making this but also for posting something so close to home! The struggle is really real - good and bad. Just yesterday I was trying to articulate something similar to my best friend about no longer recognizing my face and not liking what it looks like but words just kept failing me. It's something do personal and internal. Thanks for helping to give it a voice. God bless

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Patricia. It is hard to articulate the idea that you don't recognize the person in the mirror. Looking back at old photos I don't recognize that guy either. You just need to spend time every day looking at what you like about yourself and not worrying as much about what needs work. Over time it helps.

[@iheartlace882]

I can identify with so much of what you said Scott! This has been my battle for a long time too, only recently do I feel like I've broken out of that mentality a little but I still have bad days. You have done an amazing job and I'm so proud of you!! Give yourself some credit...ya look good brother!! ❤️

[@MikeMacDonaldVSG]

You are roking it Stud, I have so enjoyed you. you keep it real. keep lining life. You are "doing it Better" by the way.. Mike Mac

[@VSGHope]

Such a great video!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Hope. Glad you got something out of it.

[@singingthetruth]

Such a great video...I struggle with this so much as well! Thank you for sharing these feelings, I am glad I am not alone, and we are all working on this everyday!

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Cerise. It is nice to know that we all struggle with this and we are in it together. Glad my vid could help you.

[@ryansjourney7839]

great vid GT. thanks for sharing.... defo things that many of us battle on a regular basis. keep rockin at the fitness.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Ryan. We all seem to have body acceptance issues to one degree or another. It just takes work to change those thought patterns. And you know I will be rocking that fitness. Need to get those 200 in this year.

[@mamamiavsg1123]

Thank you for this, Scott. I'm having so much trouble accepting my body for what it is and not picking it apart.

[@GastricTiger]

I think everyone picks apart their looks (unless they have some sort of superhuman self confidence). I'm glad my ramblings helped.

[@littleaussiemelvsg]

Great video Scott! I can totally relate. I still look at myself naked in the mirror and focus on what I don't like, what I hate, what I think is 'disgusting'. It's gotta stop. I have to start focusing on what I like and being kind to myself. Thanks for making me think x

[@GastricTiger]

LittleAussieMel we talk to ourselves in ways we would never allow someone to talk to our friends or loved ones. It is tough to change that inner dialogue, but you are right that focusing on the good instead of the bad is a good place to start.

[@therookiereader]

Thank you for posting this and being so raw and honest. I feel the same way. I feel so lucky to have David. Wonder if I'll ever feel like I'm good enough.

[@GastricTiger]

Jennifer Bleecher we are our own worst critics. There are always ways we can improve, but know you are good enough right now. You are an amazing person with a huge heart and a great spirit. No amount of improved fitness or pounds dropped is going to change that.

[@wandabfreen03]

I was watching a show the other day and Roseanne Barr, who has also had gastric bypass surgery indicated that she didn't see the changes in her body even though she has lost a lot of weight and I was so shocked because I had indicated the same thing to someone who said I looked really great since I have lost 102 pounds. I agree with you, we do need to learn to embrace our new selves and I guess it is either through therapy or through doing a great deal of reading of self help books. Right now I am trying to figure out where I want to go from here....what is important to me and then put the resources I have towards that. It is important to start looking at our total selves not just in the mirror. Most of the people I have admired and loved were big and my love for them had nothing to do with their size but the way they treat people, how they loved me unconditionally, how I admired the way they lived their lives so we really do need to look at the entire person Scott. It is clear to me that you are a very caring, loving person Scott so go out there and make the difference you want to make especially now that you have the energy and enthusiasm to make the difference. You can achieve the goals and objectives you want with a new healthy body.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Wanda. You bring up a good point. I agree that some of the people I've loved most in my life were big, and what I thought of them had nothing to do with how big their bodies were, but how big their hearts were. I need to start viewing the world that way and stop picking myself apart. Thanks for this post. Gave me something to think about.

[@tracyresch3614]

No one ever said it was going to be easy. The MENTAL and BRAIN games you play with yourself are FAR worse than the physically getting "FIT" You will reach a point when you can look back and appreciate WHERE you have been and how FAR you have come and you will EMBRACE it and not beat yourself up. Keep up the GREAT WORK! And Keep sharing---YOU ARE NOT ALONE! So many have walked before you and many will walk after you and learn from your experiences. :)

[@GastricTiger]

I know it will just take time to get over all the negative self image issues (30 years of viewing and thinking of yourself as the fat kid doesn't go away over night). It will take some time and mental work (just like body change takes time and effort in the gym), but I am starting to tell myself what I like instead of what needs work.

[@audreyarentson2157]

Kirk, I second that. (except for walking naked at WLSFA, only because I won't be there) - LOL. Scott, your childhood sounds a lot like mine. I still feel the shame and hurt of what people said or did to me. I also remember giving up and saying screw it, I will just be fat. Did we like ourselves then? I know I didn't. I am almost 22 months out from RNY. I have lost 187#. I am in clothes that I would never have dreamed of fitting into. I am with a man who loves me whole heartedly. Like yourself, I still don't recognize the person in the mirror or the clothes sizes I am able to put on every morning. Kind of like PTSD, we will always have the past burned into our brain, but in our hearts we know we made the best decision of our lives. Our future is filled with unlimited possibilities. I found peace and slowly loving what I see in the mirror - and I hope that happens for you soon also. You are a huge inspiration. I wish I had half of your strength to get out there and push yourself to the limit.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Audrey. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in an alternate universe where my appearance and what people see is different, they way they treat me is different, I am able to do "normal" things, but my brain still tells me I am the fat kid. I've been spending some time every day looking at myself in the mirror and trying to tell myself what I like instead of what needs work. I know that it just takes some time (30 years of bad inner dialogue doesn't go away overnight), but I will learn to be content with what I have become.

[@MellieMay80]

Loved this video! Bit really hit home for me and what I need to work on.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Mellie May. I think it hits home for most of us, that's why it was hard to share. Glad it helped you.

[@dianesrnyroadtoanewlife42]

I understand your feelings Scott !! The "negative talk" in our heads regarding our body image is a hard one to overcome.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Diane. I'm working on positive self talk every day.

[@mdmay1975]

Thank you thank you for sharing this. I know I'm struggling with the same issues. You are doing so great keep it up super proud of you!

[@GastricTiger]

Than you so much Michael. I think we all struggle with body issues both before surgery and after, but it's nice to know we are all in this together. You've done great also.

[@vsggranny3637]

Great video and it reflects so many of our journeys....certainly mine. You've done so well and thanks for sharing :)

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks. We all can relate to feeling less than great about ourselves. Glad you got something out of my vid.

[@VSGWarrior]

Great post Scott! You are so right about being lucky you met your wife young. Those hardships you were spared, I have suffered them and continue to struggle with on a daily basis. I wish I had somone to love me that way. Lonliness is a killer. You may feel like a nerd but to me that makes you the starting QB of the football team. Hell, you're the nerd who won the big game! If that makes any sense lol. You're a good man Scott and in this world, now a days, that's a rare achievment. Keep up the great work!

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Walter. I know I am blessed to have found my soul mate at such a young age. My best friend also found his wife young. If we hadn't we would have ended up like the cast of Big Bang Theory (he would be Sheldon and I would be Leonard), playing video games every night and fantasizing about the girl across the hall. The Geeky QB makes perfect sense. A sharp mind and quick wit win in battle against pretty boy with a strong body any day. You are a great guy with a big heart too. I agree that it's a rare thing these days. You are doing great. You are a great inspiration of mine and keep me pushing forward.

[@tammyyoungberg711]

Great video. Hang in there

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Tammy.

[@peterw999]

I'm so hard on myself ... its debilitating at times. stops me from doing 'normal' things socially/romantically. its really hard to push though. I look at pictures from before and just cannot fathom how I let it get that bad. Then I look at pictures of me now, and with lazer sharp focus, I hone in on all the physical faults. it's pretty messed up! Lately I've even been feeling that I'm 'coming up short' in the gym. I look at people like you and Roundman killin it, doing things I just cant do. whether it's some feat of agility or lifting more weight than I do. It's so silly, I'm literally working as hard as I possibly can and making progress. need to learn that that is enough and just slowly push my limits and i'll get there! anyway, keep up the good work there, in the gym and in the head. great strides being made.

[@GastricTiger]

Man Pete, I always thought you were killing it at they gym and I push myself to live up to your standards. I think we all need to stop trying to compete and outdo each other and just learn to accept and be happy with the bodies we have built. You are an amazing guy and have much going for you. YOU keep up the good work and start seeing yourself as the great guy you are.

[@maryellenmcquown3338]

i am so proud of you Scott your doing a trems job endou

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Maryellen.

[@fitfatbrittrny]

Love your channel, you inspired me to make videos!

[@GastricTiger]

+FitFatBrittRNY Thanks! I've subbed you back and will be watching your videos.

[@cynthialugo-medina1478]

Heya kiddo!! Great video! Head problems are much tougher than physiological ones aren't they? It's a daily struggle. I'm glad for out community. You're looking aces. Keep it up!

[@GastricTiger]

Well thank you Cyn. Head changes are much harder than body changes. It takes daily mental work to change the mind (just like putting in hours at the gym changes the body), but I am starting to see myself differently.

[@voodooqueene]

How you describe hating your looks, but loving you brain and wit... that could have come out of my mouth about me. #lifelongfats It takes times to break the self talk we've had for 30ish years. You have to consciously practice positive self talk and acknowledge the things you really like about your new body.

[@GastricTiger]

Tanya, I think there is something about us #lifelongfats that warps our brains. We just grow up different and it effects everything, how we think, how we see things, how we view others and ourselves... The best way I can describe it is I am living in an alternate universe now where I am different (normal) but I still have all the memories and mindsets that I had before. I have been taking some time every day to look in the mirror and tell myself what I like instead of looking at what needs work. It's going to take time, but I'm starting to change my self perceptions.

[@voodooqueene]

To me, we are at a huge advantage. We have the insight to know what it's like to be in both worlds. It's enough to remind us to not take our new found fitness for granted, so we now know why we need to keep at it (food and fitness). The emotional memories/scars will keep us humble and compassionate. You learning to love and accept the new you will also encourage those that follow and look up to you. Inner peace with the new you is the goal. I love that you made this video.

[@TJBrownfieldIsAwesome]

You gotta rock what you got brother! If you don't love yourself why would anyone else!... and other deep meaningful crap like that :P

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks TJ. I am learning to change all that mental garbage I've been telling myself for years. Now I can learn to love myself for not only my brain, but for my hot bod also.

[@ateenytinytummyforchristin7267]

thanks for sharing this :) I think a lot of us can identify with the struggle for self acceptance.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Christine. Glad you got something out of it. We all seem to have this issue to one degree or another.

[@TheSherbear352]

Thanks for posting and sharing your thoughts. I struggle with a lot of the same issues like yes I look so much better but I still have so far to go and still don't like parts of what I see in the mirror. Hang in there and let us know how your feelings evolve.

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Sherry. The mirror lies. You rock. Start looking at what you love every day instead of what needs work. It is helping me be happier in my new skin.

[@vsgkirk]

First of all, the beard is amazing and your teeth look perfect (so the braces were totally worth it). You look great and anyone that spends 5 minutes with you is overwhelmed by your natural charm. If it will make you feel better, we will all just walk around nude at WLSFA so you can see first hand that we all have the lumps and bumps and folds, and so what!? We're alive and feeling good! Don't be hard on yourself - you're inspiring many people and not only will you fit in when you walk into a room, you'll see nothing but smiles. #brohug #loveyourself #youwontgoblind

[@GastricTiger]

Thanks Kirk. All your words mean so much to me. I think seeing everyone in person and spending some time together at WLSFA this year is going to go a long way to helping me accept my new body. I don't think nude is necessary, but in the right mood with no cameras around I would do a speedo. And not only will you get a #brohug as soon as I see you, but I'm more partial to the #brobearhug! #strongman #isitaprilyet

[@WildChild76too]

Just be careful not to let these thoughts overrun your mind. It can be detrimental to your success. I think you're doing great and you look great. It may be true that it is a good thing that you met your wife and married when you did because she sees more of what is in you than what's on the outside. That is what matters more than how we look.