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13 Ideas to Help Your VSG Journey

Success2013

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

Thanks to this forum and all of the reading I do on success and positive thinking, I've compiled a list of ideas that I've found helpful in our journey to be healthier and slimmer with VSG. I hope you may find something that will help you, whether you're a newbie or a veteran.

1.. I know it will be hard, but try cleaning out your kitchen of foods you shouldn't eat. it's a lot harder to go and drive somewhere to get bad food than it is to just reach in the cabinet. if you have others in your house that you are buying the junk food for, talk with them about how this is hindering your progress and give them healthy alternative Snacks as well. donate any unopened foods to your local food pantry.

2. Surround yourself with positive affirmations. Read motivational books, music, dvds etc. I am a Christian and Bible scriptures and prayer help me.

3. Put a picture on your fridge, mirror, car dash and so forth of the ultimate look you want to achieve, whether it's a pic of how you use to look or a pic from a magazine of how you'd like to look.

4. Find your Mantra and post it everywhere as well. This mantra can change weekly, monthly or whenever you need a new one. (such as "just do it", "walking makes me sexier", "I AM a gorgeous woman". Speak as though you ARE what you want to become!

5. Plan your meals and snacks out for a week in advance, or at least a day in advance. then shop and stock your kitchen with these items. this way you aren't tempted by bad foods because you had nothing good in the house to eat.

6. if you don't have a tracking method, this is a MUST. there are numerous apps for iPhones etc. some populate ones are Lose It and My Fitness Pal. If you don't have a smart phone, then buy a pocket journal to write everything you eat down and buy a pocket nutrition count book that list Protein and carb counts.

7. If you have trouble with Water intake, try getting some of those cute insulated tumblers with lids and fill up several for the day and keep in the fridge, when they are all empty you know you've reached your goal for the day.

8. Set alarms on your phone throughout the day as a reminder to drink your water or to eat your protein.

9. Get a little lunch cooler or insulated lunch tote and fill it with string cheese, bottled water, Greek yogurt etc to have in your car when running errands so you aren't tempted to get fast food.

10. Set weekly and monthly goals with rewards or celebrations for achieving each goal.

11. Make a Vision Board to represent your new life when you reach your ultimate goal weight. I have on mine a cute swimsuit, parasailing, hiking etc.

12. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and set goals to add exercise into your weekly routine. It could be dancing, tennis, volleyball, badminton, softball etc. it doesn't have to be just walking or running. Try a different sport each month to keep it fun.

13. Keep a calendar and organize your life to help keep stress down, so you can focus on you journey to better health and a happier life!

I'm typing this on my iPhone, so please disregard any typos. Please let me know if any of these ideas help you. God Bless and give us strength to achieve our goals and pay it forward to help others succeed.

VSGAnn2014 and Inner Surfer Girl reacted to this

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

What tips would you add to this list?

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paula512    32

paula512
Posted

GREAT IDEAS!!!!!

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

GREAT IDEAS!!!!!

thanks!

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Sarah78_RN    66

Sarah78_RN
Posted

Those are great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

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Bunnydee    40

Bunnydee
Posted

Awesome tips! I actually did a vision board this last weekend. I have it up in my office in front of my desk. Also the life coach that gave the "vision board" party said we should do a daily journal and post 3 things we love about ourselves everyday, even if they change daily.

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VSGKirk    855

VSGKirk
Posted

14. Maintain a sense of humor. You are still alive after all and laughter burns calories (not sure if my FitBit will count it, but hey...)

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

Awesome tips! I actually did a vision board this last weekend. I have it up in my office in front of my desk. Also the life coach that gave the "vision board" party said we should do a daily journal and post 3 things we love about ourselves everyday' date=' even if they change daily.[/quote']

great tip!

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

14. Maintain a sense of humor. You are still alive after all and laughter burns calories (not sure if my FitBit will count it' date=' but hey...)[/quote']

Humor is a must for me too! I just cracked myself up today. My best friend is 6 months older than I am and her birthday is this week. I sent her the attached text. I made myself laugh so hard I almost choked on my cheese stick. it wasn't that funny, just needed a laugh. ????

post-50249-13813663641712_thumb.jpg

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Lissa    2,631

Lissa
Posted

I'd add the following: Don't compare your journey to anyone else's journey. Celebrate where you are today instead of being unhappy that you haven't made it to goal yet. Talk positively and think positive when discussing your journey. You didn't get fat overnight and you won't get skinny overnight either. And, to steal from The Help: You is good. You is smart. You is important. Treat yourself that way! :)

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JeniM73    56

JeniM73
Posted

I like these tips. Very good! I recently bought a SmashBook and have started to fill it with outfits I like and thought it might be a good way to chronicle my WL surgery and journey.

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

I'd add the following: Don't compare your journey to anyone else's journey. Celebrate where you are today instead of being unhappy that you haven't made it to goal yet. Talk positively and think positive when discussing your journey. You didn't get fat overnight and you won't get skinny overnight either. And' date=' to steal from The Help: You is good. You is smart. You is important. Treat yourself that way! :)[/quote']

you are right Lissa! I'm guilty of comparing for sure.

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

I'd add the following: Don't compare your journey to anyone else's journey. Celebrate where you are today instead of being unhappy that you haven't made it to goal yet. Talk positively and think positive when discussing your journey. You didn't get fat overnight and you won't get skinny overnight either. And' date=' to steal from The Help: You is good. You is smart. You is important. Treat yourself that way! :)[/quote']

you are right Lissa! I'm guilty of comparing for sure.

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Success2013    186

Success2013
Posted

I like these tips. Very good! I recently bought a SmashBook and have started to fill it with outfits I like and thought it might be a good way to chronicle my WL surgery and journey.

what's a smashbook?

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Go To Topic Listing POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
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    • BeanitoDiego

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      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
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    • BeanitoDiego

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      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
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    • ChunkCat

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    • BeanitoDiego

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      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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