To achieve your goals it’s about balancing nutritional knowledge (in particular how it applies to your bariatric surgery) with eating intuition and disengage from habitual, unsatisfying & unskilful habits/ behaviours.
- Ask your self is this (food/ behaviour) supporting my goals?
- It can be useful to check in on your goals- Unfortunately it is natural in our society to have a weight (kg or clothes size goal) BUT have you noticed how the numbers are not what makes you happy? It’s what they translate into- energy, confidence, mobility, health, fitness etc.
- Focusing on numbers can influence your eating & sabotage your success especially when you are comparing yours to somebody else’s.
- Focus on non-scale goals. it is important to celebrate the journey on the way & for some if their goals have been achieved they can lose their motivation & revert to old habits as they feel they have reached their destination.
- Revising goals & setting new ones can keep you anchored/ on your path.
It can be normal to revert to old habits, especially as life gets back to normal. There is no right or wrong about it – it’s part of being human. When you are on autopilot mode it is likely to be old habits. It takes mindfulness/ awareness to recognise the detour and gently return to your healthy path. This is part of learning.
Some may travel along beautifully for years until something happens (called life) that takes your energy & attention so the newer habit falls by the way side (the totem pole of priority changes). It takes mindfulness to determine which part of the equation is missing.
A part of the equation that is important for successful weight loss but more importantly well – being is exercise. Currently there is a strong movement which really is eating/ exercising & body disorder masquerading as health & fitness – BE mindful. Exercise in moderation not to excess.
Just as with food- people’s relationship with exercise can be “all or nothing” especially with new found motivation/ results (losing kg’s) this can be an old habit in disguise and can lead to injury, in turn limiting your success. A mindful approach to exercise would be moving in ways that make you feel strong (build muscle, increase flexibility & fitness), is enjoyable & makes you feel good (releases endorphins – the body’s happy hormone, Vit-D exposure) which is reframing the relationship from the past where exercise has often been a means to an end and uncomfortable/ painful.
A final word on comparing yourself with others on social media/forums- sharing, supporting & being supported/ connected with those on the same journey is important. When it stops being an add on to you/ when it takes away then step away. Remember you are you, they are them & none of you are the same ( genetically, backgrounds, environment, lifestyle …. the list goes on) so even if you had your surgery the same day with a similar start weight comparisons are a non- sense . You are on your journey path & they may be walking beside you BUT nobody walks in your shoes. Equally it is important to not judge others.
It would be fair to say all of us are unique & come with our own baggage – genetics, upbringing, lifestyle, food rules (dieting), emotional all of which influence eating & exercise. It will take customising your mindful eating tool kit to achieve & maintain your healthy weight.
The team at Sunshine Coast Medical Weight Loss Centre are here to guide, coach & support you.