Recently I read that bariatric patients have a better success rate if they have a positive attitude. My holistic health coach also told me about an episode of Extreme Weight Loss where a man was working with a personal trainer and watching his calorie intake, when he suddenly hit a stall. They couldn’t figure out what was going on. Then he started therapy and boom, the stall was broken!
I’ve often felt like I couldn’t relate to people in the weight loss forums. In fact as I’ve written before, I’ve done a lot of internal work and I was totally fine being fat. I had the surgery for my health. I don’t feel discriminated against because of my weight. I have a positive self-image. I see surgery as a tool that helps me be more in tune with feeling full and being hungry. I see people talk about removing photos of themselves from their walls now that they’ve lost weight, or wanting the RNY surgery because they think it will punish them if they eat the wrong foods (getting sick from that is called dumping, and it only occurs in 1/3 of RNY patients). People beating themselves up if they eat a bite of ice cream. Not doing yoga because it doesn’t burn the most calories per hour. YUCK!
Who can live like that? They may achieve temporary success, but in my own experience my “willpower” doesn’t last that long. I do much better if I listen to my body. Am I full? Will that food make me feel well or unwell? Will it give me energy or drain my energy? What does my body feel like doing? I used to not do any exercise because I thought if I was going to do it I might as well burn the most calories, which means HIIT or Crossfit or some other “masculine” thing. It wasn’t until my health coach pointed out that it was perfectly fine to hike outside or take yoga if that’s what would nourish me. Duh! I have since concluded that the best exercise is one that you enjoy. You don’t even need a gym, actually.
I’ve also discovered that if I don’t label a food as “bad,” it doesn’t hold as much appeal. Around Christmas I was surrounded by goodies but I decided that I really only wanted a piece of banket that my mom made. I ate a small piece, and it was good. And you know what? I still lost weight the next day. I didn’t beat myself up, I didn’t go off the rails, and I didn’t feel deprived at all.
Life is hard enough without making things more difficult for yourself. You need to be your own best cheerleader. Strength comes from within. The best fitness program or diet or even weight loss surgery is not a magic bullet. Yes, I think we all know people who have gained weight back even after weight loss surgery. Even though your stomach is smaller, it is up to you to fill it with nourishing food rather than ice cream or milkshakes.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, stop beating yourself up! Learn to accept yourself and be kind to yourself. Only then will you find a life in balance. And the pounds just may come off on their own.
Exactly!! Happiness is a key to success and everything. 🙂 Somewhere in the process of growing up, every one of us made decisions about ourselves on this Earth. We decided how alive we could be, how genuine, how open and real. We decided whether we have the right have to our own needs, wants, and desires – and have those needs met. The decisions that we made are reflected in our bodies and in our food patterns.
I think the things you covered through the post are quiet impressive, good job and great efforts. I found it very interesting and enjoyed reading all of it…keep it up, lovely job..
Yes, ever notice when you fall in love? You are so happy and your weight just effortlessly fall off and you eat, but you don’t overeat because you feel full with love and life. Happiness is the number one requirement for good health!! Keep up the good work and loving life. 😉