Three years ago I weighed 122lbs. Adult male, average height, late-50s. I skipped breakfast and often skipped lunch due to ever-present nausea. Went through antacids like candy. Had IBS, reflux and other issues. Prescribed beta-blockers and domperidone which helped a lot with the nausea but not with the weight loss or appetite.

I'm a "Type A" personality but am not a particularly smart or talented person so I made up for it by working hard and worrying about my efforts. I was successful and was often recognized for my achievements but was ultimately laid off, along with my work friends in the same unit, due to economic reasons after almost 25 years with this organization. Finding work in 2020 with COVID was not possible. Essentially forced to retire. It took a while to adjust to the change in lifestyle but I'm quite fine with it now.

Without the stress of working I've gained 30lbs since being laid off. I can eat more meals and am now at a normal weight for my age and height. I now realize to what degree stress and anxiety were the cause of my digestive and IBS problems. I have a great doctor but I now think she was treating the symptoms and not the cause but I am who I am. I wouldn't have accepted changing my personal work ethic and effort even if it meant affecting my health. I realize now exactly what my personal traits were doing to me. I should have learned to chill and accept less than perfect.