Affirmations for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

Affirmations are phrases that you make (or find from somewhere else) that keep you inspired or motivated to continue performing or not performing a particular act or behavior. For weight loss surgery patients, there is a lot of pressure to maintain a healthy diet and continue their weight loss success. In order to bolster your confidence and keep the weight off, you can use affirmations to support yourself throughout your weight loss journey.

Creating Affirmations

• The most effective affirmations are positive and state what you will do, instead of what you will not do. The article "Counteracting Either-Or Thinking" by Joan Swerdlow-Brandt suggests that the power of affirmations come from the reframing of negative thoughts into positive ones. If you're coping with the challenges of weight loss, you may find yourself overeating even though you've made the commitment to eat less. After you overeat, you may decide that, since you've gone off your weight loss plan, you may as well give up. This is an example of "either-or" thinking: you imagine that you either stick to your weight loss plan 100 percent of the time, or you give up completely. Affirmations can help you recognize the flawed logic behind that sentiment. Recognize that setbacks happen and create affirmations that accept those setbacks but ultimately focus on the positive changes you're making in your life. So, if you overeat, create an affirmation that reminds you that you slipped up once, but can get yourself back on track the next day or at the next meal. For example, "I overate at lunch but I'm eating sensibly otherwise. I am still maintaining the proper weight and I feel healthy."

  The article "Affirmations for Weight Control" on HolisticOnline.com suggests that you make your affirmations in the present tense. Keeping your affirmations in the present tense allows you see them as active, possible goals that you are currently working on, instead of unreachable plans for the future. When coping with the physical changes of weight loss surgery, you can craft affirmations that will better prepare you for what you can expect. Once you start losing weight you will begin to notice that your skin appears more loose and may hang in places. Talking with your doctor for corrective measures to this condition is a proactive step, but in the meanwhile you can reassure yourself that loose skin is part of the post-weight loss surgery process, and it just means you are still on the right path in your journey.

Using Affirmations

• You say your affirmations aloud or repeat them in your head when you need them, and you can write them out. Keeping affirmations in places where you often find the temptation to overeat or skip a meal (such as the refrigerator or pantry door) is an effective method to remind yourself that you are in control of your weight loss goals and you can control your behaviors. If eating fast food is a problem, keep a written affirmation somewhere in your car. It can be especially helpful to have a small note of affirmation taped inside your wallet or billfold. This way, when you begin to make an unhealthy purchase you'll have an instant reminder of your commitment to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.

  For example if you're struggling with dramatically reducing the amount of food you eat before or after surgery, make a habit of stating an affirmation before and after every meal. Remind yourself that you are on a new journey to healthiness and that you are worth it and ultimately in control. Try something similar to, "this is the proper amount of food for me to eat. I feel full and satisfied. I receive comfort from a variety of activities and eat only to nourish my body."

Extra Support

• In addition to creating your own affirmations, you can ask trusted loved ones to create affirmations on your behalf and share them with you. There can be an added power to an affirmation created by someone else, especially someone you feel close to who understands your situation and struggle. If your spouse or partner is supportive of you and your weight loss goals, have them write down their hopeful thoughts about your dedication to a healthy weight and the love they feel for you. These affirmations can help bolster your confidence and remind you that you are not alone in your struggle.