Bariatric Fire & Ice

Title: From 360 to 180: How I Lost the Weight but Found Myself Through Fire, Ice, and a Second Chance. This is my journey through the weight loss struggle.

By Jeremy | Bariatric Fire & Ice

They say weight loss changes your body — but what they don’t always tell you is that it cracks open your soul. My name is Jeremy, and this is the real story behind Bariatric Fire & Ice — not just a blog, but a lifestyle forged in discipline, struggle, and smoked brisket.

Life Before Surgery: 360 Pounds and Spiraling

I was tipping the scale at 360 lbs — stuck in a body that didn’t reflect the man I wanted to be. A husband. A father. A protector. My days were built around food and alcohol, not wellness or purpose. This weight loss struggle left me tired. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

I tried diets. Fads. Promises. They always failed — not because I didn’t want it — but because I had no system. No belief. No “why” that felt strong enough to last through a bad day.

But eventually, the pain of staying the same became greater than the fear of change.

I made the decision that changed everything: bariatric surgery.

The Transformation: 360 to 180

The Start of my Journey December 2023,

After surgery, the weight came off. 360 turned into 180 — literally half the man I used to be. Below is me right after hiking Mt Leconte, which was my dream hike. It was a 14-mile round trip with a stay at the top of the mountain in a rustic lodge.

But the physical change was only the beginning. Internally, I was facing a whole new battle during my weight loss struggle.

The Unspoken Struggle: Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery

One of the hardest truths I’ve had to face is that weight loss didn’t fix everything. In fact, it exposed a deeper dependency — alcohol.

After gastric bypass, my tolerance changed, but the urge didn’t. I’d gone from numbing my feelings with food… to numbing them with drinks. It’s not something I’m proud of. But it’s part of my story, and if you’re reading this, maybe it’s part of your weight loss struggle too.

Finding Joy in the Flame: My Love for Bariatric BBQ

If there’s one constant that survived the transformation — it’s my love for BBQ.

The smoky flavor. The slow process. The connection to something primal. BBQ was never just food for me — it was an art form, a ritual.

But post-bariatric surgery, I had to adapt. No more sugary sauces or greasy sides. I learned to make bariatric-friendly BBQ — high-protein, low-sugar, low-carb meals that still slapped with flavor.

And that’s where Bariatric Fire & Ice was born — a space for bariatric-friendly recipes, and post-op lifestyle hacks.

Recovery in the Chill: Cold Plunges & Reset Protocols

I started cold plunging and sauna cycling as a way to reset my body and mind — a replacement for the old vices. Cold therapy has become a key pillar in my recovery.

Now, my week includes:

• Ice baths for mental health and inflammation reduction
• Sauna sessions for detox and stress relief from my weight loss struggle
• Weightlifting for post-bariatric strength training
• BBQ for joy and creativity
• Journaling for clarity
• A sober lifestyle for my future

I call it the Fire & Ice Protocol — and I’ll be sharing every piece of it with you here.

Why I’m Writing This Bariatric Blog

This blog is for:

• Anyone who’s had bariatric surgery and feels lost afterward
• Anyone struggling silently with alcohol post-op
• Anyone who loves BBQ but needs to keep it bariatric-safe
• Anyone ready to rebuild their identity with honesty, heat, and healing after weight loss struggle

I’m not perfect. I still fight urges. I still mess up. But I’m here. Showing up. Sharing the journey.

This is Bariatric Fire & Ice — your destination for bariatric lifestyle tips, cold plunge recovery, and guilt-free BBQ.

Thanks for being here. We’re just getting started.

Check out my 1st Post on my favorite BBQ Spices:

Transforming BBQ: A Bariatric Success Story