Your body undergoes major changes before, during and after weight loss surgery. Mentally and emotionally, you’ll also experience a lot of transformation as you lose weight. On your weight loss journey, you’re bound to meet challenges from time to time, but you can certainly overcome them.
Having a support system in place will help you as you embrace a healthier lifestyle. From the staff at your weight loss surgery center to your circle of family and friends, you can find encouraging influences to bolster your confidence if you have a hard day. Maintaining weight loss long term requires a total commitment to making healthy choices on all levels – including mentally, emotionally and physically.
One way to keep yourself on track is to take this time to build your self-esteem. When you have high self-esteem, you’re more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, like eating nourishing foods and being kind to your body. Building your self-esteem as you lose weight will help you maintain your weight loss long term.
Making healthy decisions
Here are some key things you can do to bolster your self-esteem and to make healthy choices on your weight loss journey:
- Get enough rest: While you may be excited to start a new workout or to tackle new projects, make sure you get enough rest. Rest is essential, not only for healing after weight loss surgery, but also for managing stress.
- Journal positive thoughts: How you talk to yourself matters. Keeping a journal of positive thoughts can encourage you to stay motivated and encouraged when you are being negative. Having a quick reference guide to some of your favorite inspirational quotes or self-affirmations will give you a place to get encouraged when you need it.
- Learn to love your body, just like it is: Through the weight loss process, your body will change a lot. Start appreciating your body right now, unconditionally. It has carried you since birth and is carrying you still. For this, you can immediately appreciate your body and start affirming how good your body has been and will continue to be for you.
- Make time for yourself: Carve out personal time where you can recharge your energy levels and reduce stress. Block out time for exercise like you’d block out time for a work meeting. Your health is priceless, so make time to keep yourself healthy. Spending time with others is wonderful, but keeping special time for yourself will give you the time you need to regroup and just be.
- Spend some time outside: Spending time outside is associated with improved mental health and physical well-being. Getting fresh air in your lungs also can perk you up if you’re feeling tired. Instead of snacking to stay awake, go for a short walk.
Sometimes, looking outside of your own life will help you gain perspective. Doing something nice for someone else can help you feel better about yourself, since you’re sharing something good. When you contribute in a positive way to someone else’s well-being, even with a simple compliment, you show how you can impact the world for the better, just as you are.