We All Have Bad Days

The weight loss journey after bariatric surgery is an ongoing process—a process that will last the rest of your life. Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy, especially after the rapid weight loss immediately after surgery begins to taper off. Becoming obese takes many years, often decades, and reversing the problem requires difficult decisions and a great deal of dedication. Not the least of these hurdles is our own mind. So much of our success relies on our willingness and ability to implement the lifestyle changes that will make us happier and healthier. And like everything else we do, we sometimes make mistakes and trip up.

After surgery, you will certainly have days where you do not feel like following the new healthier way of eating or exercising as much as you should. You cannot blame yourself for having those feelings. Rather, it is important to have a plan in place to deal with them. The first and most important concept to remember is that becoming discouraged will only lead to more bad days. So, we need to take our bad days in stride, wake up the next morning and renew our commitment to our health and those that love us. Having a solid support structure around us is critical to our success both during difficult times and over the longer-term. Similarly, attending regular support groups and staying in contact with those in the same circumstances can offer perspective and allow us to work toward a more healthful life.

No matter what the cause of the bad day, the important thing to remember is that it isn’t permanent. For the first time in a long time you have had control over your health – relish that and remember that you have the ability to succeed.