I have never been so cold so often in my…
My First Maintenance Milestone
One of the main reasons I started this blog was because while there’s heaps of information online about how to get through the pre-op and immediately post-op stages of gastric bypass or bariatric surgery there’s not much info out there in terms of long-term maintenance strategies. It’s quite a nice coincidence that the launch of my blog coincides with one of my first maintenance milestones.
It’s now been six months since I first hit my goal weight! I have successfully maintained my goal weight and, in actual fact, stayed underneath it for a whole six months and I’m so pleased and proud of myself. In the lead up to surgery and in the initial stages after my whole focus was on my goal weight and the magic number I had set for myself. In the picture related to this post I’m wearing the outfit I bought as a mini celebration when I met my goal weight on the left and again the same outfit a few days ago, six months later!
Reaching my goal weight was amazing and I could not believe I had met the goal that at times, especially before surgery, seemed like such an unattainable dream. One thing I’ve now realised is that reaching that goal doesn’t end the hard work related to surgery it has just changed my focus.
It is a totally different and really weird feeling because now my focus is not at all on losing weight. I’m actually happy with my weight for the first time EVER in my life. I actually never imagined I would get to this point. My new mission in life and the new path I have started down is trying to maintain this happy point I have reached. I had even mentally prepared myself for the huge possibility that I wouldn’t reach my goal weight in case my body found its happy place before I reached my initial goal weight.
I chose gastric bypass surgery as a life long weight management solution and I’m determined to use this tool as best I can and maximise the benefits. I see now how naïve it was before surgery to only have my goal weight in mind and see that as the point of completion. I will never be ‘done’ looking after myself and actually, that’s pretty cool.
I have made a few discoveries in these six months about how I can maintain my weight and carry on down this path of lifestyle changes to make it a permanent life long solution and that’s what I want to share here. My challenge for the next six months is to see how I continue to maintain and I’m excited to see what I learn and figure out over the next six months.
In realising that this ‘self care’ approach is forever I’ve realised that I will always need to be mindful and purposeful of what I put in my body and the exercise and activity my body needs to stay healthy and strong. I’m figuring this out as I go but I think its going to be an always evolving thing that will change over time.
Do you have any great strategies to keep healthy and maintain your happy place? Let me know below because I’m interested to see if I can learn anything from you guys too!
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Your blog is off to a killer start! So many top quality posts! Really enjoyed reading this one. When it comes to maintaining a happy place (and I love that you called it that because you’re right, its not all about the number on the scales) I find the best thing is to keep mixing it up when it comes to healthy food and exercise. Trying out new healthy recipes, finding ways to make the ‘naughty’ foods i love into ones that are much better for you. Trying a new exercise routine, or finding a new fitness youtuber to subscribe to and follow along with. I also try not to be too hard on myself. if I really don’t feel like exercising when I’d planned to, I let myself off but make sure i’m doing something else productive instead. that way you don’t get in a mindset where exercise is this thing you hate but have to do. I am practically writing a blog post in the comment section so I’ll stop now! haha
Thanks Charli! I have had so many comments about my awesome logo so it’s not just me who thinks it amazing, thank you again 😀 I have a short attention span so changing things up often is necessary to keep me interested. I love that you are aware of what you need to do to maintain that happy place. I was never very mindful about it before so this is quite new and exciting to me!
Maintaining is almost harder than losing weight in my experience (not from gastric bypass, but just from dieting). It’s just an every day thing you have to manage, and it’s so hard. Being mindful is so important.
Hey Lena! Thanks for checking out my blog 😀 I’m starting to realize how important mindfulness is and it’s an amazing revelation for me!
Melissa
I really enjoyed reading this post! I know a couple of people that have had the surgery one has been very successful at loss and maintenance and the other was just the opposite. My strategy is all about exercise but I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit recently.
Thanks Amanda! I have been a bit lax with exercise lately too. I got sick and then my little boy has been sick and it’s been hard to get back on but next week is my week, I’m determined to get myself back on.
Your happy place… Love that!
So after surgery….Will you lose weight till you stop? Will your body have its own goal?
I had not thought about the maintenance thing….
You are giving me so much to consider…
Thank you!!!
I am starting at the beginning of your posts and plan on reading them all….I was jumping all over the place when I thought….I want to start at the beginning….And travel your journey from the start…I do not want to miss a thing as I investigate whether this is what I need to do as well….
It’s funny isn’t it Carolyn, you’re so focused on losing weight at the beginning of this kind of journey that you don’t even consider you will get to a point of just trying to maintain your weight.I hope you enjoy them and find them valuable. It’s a very personal decision as to if it’s right for you or not but hopefully my insight will help you decide.