Great Gains in Weight Loss Surgery Part 2: Yours for the Taking

Make a List

How can you chase what you want if you have not identified it? How will you know you have found what you are looking for if you did not know you were looking for it? You may have thought about making a list of motivators for weight loss surgery and weight loss. Have you considered making a list of what you want to get from your efforts? Making a list of what you want can help you figure out how to get it.

The first article in this series might help you put together a list. It could include some of the following, and any of your own items.

• More confidence in social settings.
• Saying “yes” to anything – movies, restaurants, and airplane trips – without thinking about whether you fit in the seat.
• Staying away from the doctor’s office.
• More time with family because now you have the energy.

Attitude: Gains over Losses

It’s all about the attitude. You do lose a lot – besides weight – when you commit to Weight Loss Surgery and the Weight Loss Surgery diet, but you will not be doing yourself any favors if you focus on the losses. It is easy to feel discouraged and feel sorry for yourself if you focus on some of your losses: no more soda, no more free-for-alls at the all-you-can-eat buffets, no more eating whatever, whenever – because you literally cannot stomach it anymore.

Cliché as it may sound, you are more likely to succeed when you put a positive spin on it. Also cliché but true: practice makes perfect. You can train yourself to think positively just by practicing. Don’t think about losing dessert at the restaurant; think about gaining the ability to enjoy friends and family without focusing on sugar. Don’t think about giving up your mornings sleeping in because you have to exercise; think about gaining better nights of sleep because you no longer need a CPAP machine and gaining clear-headedness that will carry you through the day.

Celebrate!

It is human nature to respond to successes. When you are doing well at something, you are likely to continue to do it. In the same way, you are more likely to stick to your Weight Loss Surgery meal plan and exercise program when you realize how well you are doing. Recognize each victory with a celebration.

Some of your celebrations could be a tangible reward, such as a massage for hitting a weight goal or a new workout outfit when you meet your goal of hitting the gym 20 times in a month. For other victories, you might be able to give yourself the positive reinforcement you need with a simple sign of recognition, such as placing a gold star on the calendar to mark your difficult but healthy choice to pass up the bread basket in favor of a side salad. Eventually, even giving yourself a physical or mental pat on the back might be enough to remind yourself how good it feels to be moving in the right direction.

Put Yourself Out There

The gains are yours for the taking, but sometimes, you may have to make an extra effort to take some them. This is especially true with some of the gains having to do with people. Put yourself out there at work or in social settings, and you may get some of the most rewarding gains of weight loss surgery journey.

When you show off your new confidence, people will respond to you. Add to that some clothes that you are proud to wear, and you are more likely to get the job and land the business deal. You will find it easier to enjoy the moments with old friends and to make new ones.

The weight loss surgery journey has so much to offer, so do not let yourself miss out! Know what you stand to gain and keep your eyes open for opportunities to make those gains, and your weight loss will be only one benefit of the entire journey.