Be positive after weight loss surgery

It’s been a long day. One of your kids got in big trouble at school and rush hour traffic ate up all the time you hoped to spend at the gym after eight stressful hours at the office. Needless to say, you probably won’t be humming the tune to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” as you cook dinner and settle down for some needed rest.

Yet there is much to be positive about after weight loss surgery, even when things seem at their worst. With the help of your surgery and healthy habits, you’re well on the way to a slimmer body and a more active lifestyle. Though you’ll certainly face situations that threaten your motivation, you’ve begun to develop the skills necessary to stay healthy and free of excess weight for the rest of your life, and this is certainly something to be optimistic about.

The Bright Side of Lap Band

Attitude is important after bariatric surgery and can play a big role in your progress. We often see weight loss essentials like diet and exercise as necessary but regrettable chores, yet this viewpoint can make the whole process feel like an uphill battle.

Maintaining an attitude that helps you see the positive in your journey, like how your healthy habits are helping you feel better every single day, can go a long way in bolstering your progress and keeping you motivated to proceed. The simple act of positive thinking has even been shown to improve our physical and mental health.

Having said that, it isn’t always easy to see the glass half full. We all view our world differently and some may be more inclined to see the glass half empty. But many experts believe that none of us are all-optimist or all-pessimist—with a little effort, we can teach ourselves to see the bright side regardless of our circumstances.

Say goodbye to negativity—these strategies can help you find the positive in your weight loss journey:

• Write it out. It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving for you to think about what you’re grateful for. Taking a few minutes to think about the truly great things in your life can help you face the day with a positive attitude. If you write these things down, they can serve as powerful visual reminders of the many things you have to be thankful for.
• Eliminate envy. Most of us have a tendency to compare ourselves to others, but this will do you no good—especially after weight loss surgery. Forget about what others have and focus instead on your uniquely fantastic qualities.
• Stay in control. Your bariatric surgeon will give you all the tools you need to lose weight—you’re in control of your progress and will ultimately determine the extent of your success. Research has shown that we tend to be more optimistic about situations we can control, so remember that you always have the power to make your own healthy decisions.

We can’t be rays of sunshine all the time, but an optimistic attitude can be a valuable asset as you lose weight.