One Small Attitude Change for Big Results

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

The holidays are behind us, but it is not too late to consciously think about what we are grateful for. Take weight loss surgery, for example. Weight loss surgery changes almost everything. It can affect what and how much you can eat, your exercise goals, the attention you pay to your health, your daily schedule, and even your personal relationships. Achieving success after WLS means saying goodbye to pizza parties where you eat the whole pizza, trips to the drive-through for a pre-dinner meal on the way home from work, and polishing off the half-gallon of ice cream in the freezer while you watch late-night television.

That can seem like a lot of sacrifice, but success depends largely on your attitude. The difference between rapid, healthy weight loss and a bumpy road filled with complications and struggle may be as simple as the difference between saying “I can’t have that” and “I get to have that.” Here are examples of changing your attitude to improve your weight loss journey.

From “I Can’t” to “I Can”

There are plenty of things that you can’t safely do after weight loss surgery, such as overeating, eating high-fat and high-sugar foods, and drinking alcohol without restriction. Instead of thinking “I can’t” eat that when you are at a dinner party or restaurant, think “I can” have a better time than I used to before weight loss surgery by focusing on the people instead of the food. Don’t think, “I can’t” order a large popcorn and soda while at the movie theater with my friends. Instead, think “I can” fit in the seat now and enjoy the movie!

From “I Have To” to “I Get To”

Some of the daily tasks after weight loss surgery can seem like tedious chores, but think of them in terms of the benefits you get. For example, measuring each serving of food can be a nuisance and is something that you “must” do, but it is also something you “get” to do to help you lose weight, learn portion sizes, and stay in control. Similarly, taking your daily Vitamin and mineral supplements and monitoring your health is something that you “have to” do, but you also “get to” enjoy better energy and improved health numbers, such as blood sugar and cholesterol, when you visit the doctor. It’s not that you “have to” go to the gym; more accurately, you “get to” go to the gym to enjoy your new, healthier body and make it stronger and leaner.

From “I Lost” to “I Gained”

You might lose some alone or family time each day when you go to the gym, but you gain it right back in quality. When you are in shape, you can keep up with your children, spouse, and friends. The time you spend with them is higher quality than when you might have been too heavy and out of breath to do anything but sit and watch from the sidelines. And, you can say that “I lost” the chance to go to the donut shop on the way to work each morning, but it is more accurate to say that “I gained” time and money from not going to the donut store, and also the self-respect from skipping the morning sugar load.

From “Never-Ending” to “Constant Progress”

The post-weight loss surgery journey is long…the rest of your life! You are bound to get discouraged if you think about the journey as a “never-ending” struggle. Instead, stay motivated by looking at your constant progress. For the first year and more, your progress can include regular weight loss, smaller body measurements and smaller clothing sizes. For years afterward, progress can include improved fitness or certain athletic milestones, such as completing a 5k run. Other progress might be reduced cravings for sugar, better relationships with your family and having improved health.

Eliminate Doubts

One of the most important attitude shifts you can make is from being doubtful to being confident. When you know that you are going to make the right decision, you do make the right decision. When you let doubt creep in, you are far more likely to make a regrettable decision. Each day, be confident that you will make the right choices. Think about what you will do, and not whether you will do it. If it helps, attach a reason to each statement.

• You will go to the gym as planned because it will give you momentum for the rest of the day.
  
• You will take your healthy Breakfast, lunch and Snacks to work so that you can get the Protein and other nutrients that you need.
  
• You will walk past the secretary’s desk without slowing to look at the chocolates so that you can feel proud of yourself as you work in your office.
  
• You will drink the amount of Water that you are supposed to because it will help you lose weight, stay awake, and be less hungry.
  

As with so many other things in life, successful weight loss depends on you following certain rules and actions. Beyond that, your attitude makes the difference between being able to make the right decisions, and making decisions that you will regret later. Will weight loss surgery be a burden to endure, or will it be a privilege to appreciate? It’s up to you…and your waistline and happiness may depend on your answer!

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Great article! Attitude is not just something, it's everything. Lifestyle changes are not about what you "can't" do, eat or think - it's about what you "choose" to do, eat or think - or not do, not eat or not think. Choice is about control, not denial.

[Leepers 1,195]

I love this!

I wrote a blog entry today about how the mind is muscle that you must work. It's just as important as changing your diet and exercising. We must change the way that we think and focus on the positive. Push the negative thoughts to the side.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

if you think you can't, you are doomed.....but if you think you can, and try *i mean really try*, you will......great post alex

[Bandista 7,466]

The "I get to" really works for me.....not, "I have to work out," but "I live a privileged life and own a treadmill, I get to use it!" Anything to conquer the dread, which is just old wiring. I also try positive self-talk, thanking myself, my body -- no more berating myself. I am trying to be as generous and forgiving as I would be to another human being. Thanks for the reminders!

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Thank you for this article - this is exactly what I've needed to read here lately!

[Marla 35]

I need an attitude adjustment big time! Thanks for the support! Always in need of that! Feeling like a failure should not be an option!

[kathylovable@hotmail.com 0]

I am new to this , but already see the benefits, thanks for allowing me to be part of this wonderful site!!