I wanted to talk about the struggle with this process. And part of that is working through "not being okay" or really struggling with resistance, depression, feeling like you’ve lost your mojo, or the initial thoughts of feeling "not okay" with where you are.
In the initial stages of the process there's a lot of excitement and anxiety around getting to surgery. Then after surgery there's a process of "getting to normal" because the first few months (as you already know), are about transitioning from clear liquids to full liquids to pureed foods, to soft foods, to solid foods. Then, it's a stabilization period of introducing foods back into your plan.
Then, you'll go through your first holiday season, and learn how to eat for life.... YES, for LIFE!
This journey is a lifelong path. It doesn’t stop at goal, and instead it shifts into maintenance (which is a whole other topic in and of itself).
Often times on this journey (no matter where you are - in the weight loss or maintenance phases), there are struggles and setbacks. As with anything in life, there will be ups and downs. Yet, there is this preconceived notion that once you’ve had surgery that everything is smooth sailing. Or the other preconceived notion that once you’ve hit goal, you’re also "good to go". Sadly, this is unfortunately not what happens.
It’s a day in and day out journey. It’s lifestyle change. It’s adjustments. It’s creating a path that has never been before. It’s going against the grain, what you’ve always known, pushing past your comfort zone (sometimes daily), and staying strong through triggers, obstacles, and temptation.
Life still happens. You still get up and go to work each day. You’ll still deal with life issues such as problem co-workers, or difficult family members, health issues, grief and loss, change of jobs, buying or selling houses, babies being born, divorces, marriages, the whole kit-and-kaboodle… Life doesn’t stop happening because you’re in the middle of your post-op journey, or because you’re trying to change your lifestyle and your habits.
My point here today is- It’s okay to not be okay on your journey. And, when you’re not okay - you need a plan to help you get through the rough patches.
There are points where we become frustrated with status quo, and we throw our hands up in the air, and maybe scream "I don’t care".
And, you know and I know that’s not true either. You do care. You want to succeed, and you struggle because this journey is still hard.
Maybe there is weight regain, maybe there’s a stall, or maybe you don’t WANT to work the plan that’s been set out in front of you, or you have beliefs that it’s too hard for you to follow-through or you don’t have time.
The truth is -there’s always time for what is important to you.
And...
So often in this indifference to change you find you may not have the "OOMPH" to get going on taking action or implementing the plan for change.
Regardless of what limiting beliefs pop-up, buying into the old beliefs, won’t help you get to where you want to go.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re struggling with.. it’s okay not to be okay.
When going through this - it’s important for you to surround yourself with support, loving individuals who can help you get through the muck, and who will also sit with you through the difficulties. And, to help you remember why you started this journey to begin with.
It’s also essential to acknowledge where you are versus where you want to be, and to start SMALL!!
We tend to have HUGE expectations and pile things on our plates, and then feel like a failure when it doesn’t happen.. this is just self-defeating.
Instead.. start small.. and do the one or two things that will help you move in the direction of where you want to go.. And.. remember that your MINDSET is key.
If you think defeating thoughts, you’ll FEEL defeated.
Remember that anything you do or say - positive or negative - is an affirmation of what you believe to be true.
What is ONE thing you can say or do for your journey that will give you a mini kick-start or help you get moving on your journey?
And, if you’re still not okay, what is one thing you can do to help you feel supported? Examples: go to your support group, call a support person, join a new support group, share your story, see a therapist, call a friend, etc.
Wherever you are, it’s okay. And, when you’re ready to move from that place, start small, get support, and ask for help. You didn’t come this far, to only come this far.