Love Yourself First

It’s common to work on and celebrate friend and family relationships, but never forget the most important person in your life: you. Here are some ways you can show yourself that you care.

Tough Love

We tend to be toughest on the ones we love the most because we hold them to such a high standard. Put yourself in the elite category of people you love, and give yourself some tough love with the goal of making yourself better.

You could buy an accurate digital scale so you cannot use inaccuracies or forgetfulness as an excuse for not losing weight. You could get rid of anything in your kitchen that is not going to help your weight loss goals. You could force yourself to log your food accurately even if it is not pretty because ultimately, it is in your best interest.

Supportive Love

You can show yourself love by supporting yourself in your weight loss journey the way you would support any of your loved ones in their own endeavors. What about…?

• Going on a shopping spree in the produce section of your local supermarket.
• Placing an online order for bariatric vitamins and protein bars.
• Making a few appointments with yourself to walk or do other exercises.

Indulgent Love

Spend a little one-on-one time with yourself to rediscover yourself, because sometimes in the hustle and bustle of daily living, we forget that we are people who need TLC. Give yourself a spa day or get a massage, watch a movie (no popcorn!), or buy yourself a present, such as flowers to brighten up your home.

Social Love

Spend a day with some friends. Go to the beach, a museum, or the mall, volunteer somewhere or make crafts at one of your homes. Your day together not only serves to give you a fun and uplifting day of relaxation. It also lets you see some role models. Your friends will be showing you that they appreciate and care about you, and that is a lesson you should take note of.

Communicative Love

When was the last time you told yourself you love yourself? How often do you remind yourself of your wonderful qualities? Do you regularly praise yourself for your accomplishments and efforts? Guess what: today is the day! Take pen and paper (or your smartphone’s note-taking app) and write down some positive words about yourself. Let yourself know if you admire…

• Your hard work in your weight loss surgery journey.
• The good job you do at work.
• The way you keep your household running.
• How well you take care of your family.
• Any of your qualities such as patience, generosity, intelligence, or kindness.

Read this often!

Selfish Love

Show yourself some love by putting yourself first. This could be as difficult, but simple, as saying, “No” to someone else in favor of something you want to do for yourself. You can put yourself first by:

• Vetoing a night out at your family’s favorite restaurant that you cannot find anything WLS-friendly to eat in favor of your family’s second-favorite restaurant if it has something you can eat.
• Saying, “No, thanks,” when someone asks you to taste her freshly baked cookies because skipping them is more important for your diet.
• Telling your boss you need to go home on time to be with your family instead of staying late at work.

Remember, if you ever are tempted to feel guilty for putting yourself first, that you need to put yourself first. You need to be healthy, happy, and strong to give your very best to others.

From now on, work on your relationship with yourself every day. You may thank yourself!