When you made the decision to have weight loss surgery (WLS), you made the decision to save your life. This is probably the most major step you’ve ever made toward improving your “health”.
Interestingly, many people have never fully understood what health is completely. My dictionary states that it is “the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit”.
Okay, so weight loss surgery gives you the ability to set a more achievable goal towards being well or sound within your body. But, have you forgotten about your mind and spirit too?
By definition, you can have health in every aspect of your life. Now, if you took the risk of having this surgery and began changing the physical part of who you are, why not take this opportunity to change the other two parts at the same time?
Let’s be honest. Life is so much more than the physical. Life is “the spirit, essence, soul or vital spark” of everything imaginable, including you and I. With this surgery, you were most likely told repeatedly that you needed to set weight loss goals. In my opinion, it’s also important to take the time to make some possible paradigm shifts in the other aspects of your life. You see, all of these individual characteristics truly go hand in hand; they are all meant to function together as one integral unit.
I’ll give you an example. When first contacting me, many of my coaching clients share their struggles with reaching their goal weight. Many also share that they have began to backslide into their old lifestyle habits. After coaching with me, they recognize there is a need to improve their emotional and spiritual health as well as their physical health. They see how these other areas influence their frustration and tendency to go back to old behaviours.
Once they start to improve on these two factors, it is amazing how much easier and enjoyable a process it became towards achieving their weight loss goal. So if WLS success is the goal or the “destination”, you can see that you can make the “journey” through this process so much more pleasurable.
Unfortunately, when your goals are achieved, you may begin to feel it’s your final step to happiness.
You see, goals can be restrictive. Although they can set an end or final point to what you can achieve, they may prevent you from having freedom in other aspects of your life. Without a mapped-out, comprehensive strategy, these goals can become the brakes that stop you from carrying out a much more intricate life plan.
Realistically, your physical body is not the only thing that makes up your life. If you can integrate your mind and spirit into the mix, you can create an elevated awareness of yourself. More importantly, you can develop a greater understanding of the highest part of who you are. This is called your “authentic self”.
When you understand that you are only human and a truly good and beautiful person, you will value yourself truly. You will make smarter choices everyday; options that will impact not only your weight loss, but your overall quality of life.
One exercise you can use is the H.A.L.T. exercise. It is used by many and will enable you to stay in touch with your feelings and needs.
H.A.L.T. is an acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. Being too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, are situations that leave us weaker to the temptations that lead us away from our true intentions. Part of being authentic is learning to pay attention to these internal signals. Start practicing suitable ways to meet your needs and resolve issues in a manner that is healthier. This will guarantee you more peace of mind.
The next time you have the temptation to go to the fridge, take two seconds and ask yourself, “Am I truly hungry? Am I angry or lonely? Or am I just tired and need go to bed?” You might be surprised by what comes out of being conscious in that particular moment.
Equally as important is your courage or spirit through this process. We all have the capability to alter what we believe and the things we feel deep down inside. This way of thinking determines one of the most vital features of your life. It is practical to continuously re-evaluate exactly how your spirit looks at any given moment.
If food has been your retreat or a process of emotional numbing, you will need to accept some uneasiness. This uneasiness could manifest as a result of saying what you are actually feeling, your anxiety over an argument, or distress from someone detaching from you.
The alternative, unfortunately, would be the temptation to fall back into old habits because you are swallowing your true feelings.
Realize that weight loss surgery can be a profound transition. Take the time to imagine reaching your destination as a physically well person. By relishing in your journey, you can become a person with a spirit of emotional well-being that is strong, positive and resilient.
You ultimately decide how your life is going to play out after surgery. Remember, your conscious choices affect not only your body, but also your mind and soul.
Copyright ? 2006 Jeff Cadwell Positive Coaching Jeff Cadwell, Weight Loss Surgery Life Coach 714-669-2928 http://www.jeffcadwell.com "Welcome to the beginning of the New YOU!" I am a Life Coach who is passionate about empowering people to live more robust lives - physically, emotionally and spiritually. My specialty is people who are considering or have had Weight Loss Surgery. | |
