April is Stress Awareness Month and if you’ve had weight loss surgery, whether that is a gastric band, bypass or sleeve, you’ll know that is a journey that can have some bumps in the road along the way.
It’s important to know how to keep on top of stress if you’re feeling demotivated, uninspired or are simply having a difficult day.
Here are our top 5 tips for managing stress on a weight loss journey.
1. Talk about how you’re feeling
Having honest conversations about how you’re truly feeling can be a great way to alleviate stress and lessen your anxieties. Don’t be afraid to let those closest to you know what’s going on in your head and how they can help, whether that’s a friend, family member or a member of our Weight Loss Support Team.
It’s important to be completely honest with your dietitian when you come for your appointments. This helps them to ensure that you receive the support, advice and guidance you need, when you need it most.
2. Try not to compare yourself to others
Comparing yourself to other people, especially on social media, can be toxic when you’re looking to lose weight. Although some people can feel motivated by the success of others, that’s not always the case for everyone.
Has someone reached their goal weight before you? Do they seem to be losing weight faster? Remember that everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and unique to them. Our best advice is to really focus on the positives - what you’ve achieved, and how far you’ve come already.
3. Exercise can be the best kind of therapy
Exercise is proven to release ‘happy’ feel-good hormones, known as endorphins. It also provides a sense of achievement when we’ve done something positive and pro-active with our day. Keeping fit and active is a great way to stay on track with your weight loss journey, uplift your sense of wellbeing and, of course, improve your overall health.
4. Remember to be kind to yourself
Yes, there are lifestyle changes that you’ll need to make following weight loss surgery, but this doesn’t have to be all-consuming and it’s OK to take a breather! Separate yourself from thinking about how your weight loss is going and do something nice, just for you.
Self-care is everything. Have a relaxing bath, read a book, use a face mask…whatever it is, make sure that you take the time away from distractions each week to do something by yourself and for yourself.
5. Think about the bigger picture, and enjoy the journey
Rather than being overwhelmed and perhaps finding yourself a little intimidated by the amount of weight you have left to lose, break it down into smaller goals. Set a realistic target, and celebrate those smaller milestones – you’re doing great, so keep going!
Start your journey towards a healthier you today
We know that weight loss isn’t easy, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve tried following a balanced diet and exercising and it’s just not delivering the results you expected, weight loss surgery could bring you that new lease of life you’ve been searching for.
Together, we can achieve your goal of a healthy BMI. Take the first step - get in touch with us now to see if weight loss surgery could be an option for you.