Have you had bariatric surgery, but have lost motivation, perhaps regained weight, and are now questioning whether it was worth it to have the surgery in the first place? Staying motivated after weight loss surgery can be a big challenge! In the beginning – when weight loss is relatively fast- it can feel like you’re on cloud nine and that your motivation and willpower will forever stay at this high. But over the long haul, that motivation can feel like it has totally fizzled out. But not to worry! We are going to highlight four important things you can reflect on that will help re-spark your motivation after bariatric surgery again and have you feeling happy again about your progress.

Tip #1: Set Specific Goals

The one thing that can really help with staying motivated is setting specific, measurable goals for yourself. So instead of just saying, “I want to lose weight,” try setting a goal like, “I want to lose 10 pounds in the next month.” That way, you have a clear target to work towards.

If you’re a numbers’ person but don’t want to focus on the number on the scale, focus on the days of the week that you can commit to a goal. For example, if you’re looking to add in more intentional exercise into your weekly routine, rather than say you’re going to workout for 60 minutes, 5 days a week (that can be tough to maintain!), aim for 15 minutes a day for 3 days a week. Once you’ve mastered that consistently on a weekly basis, then ramp up either the days of the week that you exercise or the amount of time that you move your body.

Tip#2: Find A Support System

Another thing that can be really helpful is finding a support system. Whether it’s through a support group, online community (we recommend Banana Bariatrics, cough*cough*!), or even just a friend or family member who is also on a weight loss journey, having someone to encourage you and hold you accountable can be really beneficial.

If you haven’t told anyone about you having weight loss surgery, or you’re looking for even more bariatric support, you can hang out with us on social media. We’ll offer you medically sound bariatric support (in a positive and encouraging community) in both our facebook group and on our Instagram account.

Tip #3: Celebrate Your Successes

As always, don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may seem. Perhaps you’ve been able to walk a little bit further today than you were yesterday, or maybe you tried a new healthy recipe and really enjoyed it. Those are all successes that you should be proud of.

Even if you don’t think your victory warrants a celebration, to us- we disagree. Celebrate everything! All of those non-scale victories that focus on things other than a number on the scale, can really help you stay motivated and to help you remember how far you’ve come since surgery!

Tip #4: It’s OK To Slip-Up

Just remember that it’s okay to have setbacks and slip-ups along the way. What’s important is that you don’t let those setbacks define your journey. You can always get back on track and keep moving forward towards your goals.

The journey after bariatric surgery is not about having a “perfect” journey. Let’s get rid of that all-or-nothing mindset. If you slip up or make a mistake, enjoy that little piece of cake, or skip the gym for a day (or two, or three…), no biggie! Get back on your feet and start back at it the next day.

Remember- weight loss and achieving your health goals after surgery is a marathon, not a sprint. Just take it one day at a time and be loving on yourself.

In Summary

It is very normal to lose motivation after bariatric surgery and to question if it was really worth it having surgery in the first place. However, this is a lifelong journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you need support, but don’t know where to start, we encourage you to join our two communities on social media (Facebook & Instagram). If you’re really looking to dive into your health goals head first and are ready to take things to the next level, we encourage you to join our incredible support community inside Banana Bariatrics.