One of the most important aspects of changing your mindset is keeping yourself motivated to reach your goal. Don’t get frustrated if you are lacking inspiration at the moment, here are some fun tips and tricks you can apply throughout your journey.

First, it’s important to focus not only on scale-victories but on your many other achievements as well. Notice that you might have an easier time working out, or that your clothes no longer feel as tight, you will also find yourself making better food choices and getting rid of bad habits. Highlighting these changes is always important so you do not get discouraged when you, for example, hit the plateau. Your body will always be changing for the better if you keep up with your healthy routine.

Another thing you can try is keeping a journal. This can be an outlet for your feelings even before undergoing your surgery. Being emotional is completely normal before, during, and after surgery and we believe that letting said emotions out, even on the pages of a diary, will help lift a weight off your shoulders. It can also be a great way to realize later in your journey how those fears, insecurities, and doubts are long gone and your logs have become more positive and optimistic.

Something similar you might enjoy is sharing your weightloss journey online. Whether its a text-only blog detailing your experience or a photo-diary on a platform such as instagram, you will find that 1) people going through the same experience can find help in knowing they’re not alone, 2) you might inspire someone to begin their own weight loss journey, or 3) later on, you might want to look back at your earlier posts and realize how much you have changed physically and mentally. Don’t hold back from following other bariatric patients on their journeys. Everyone’s experience is different but you are all working towards a common goal. Remember, community and support is key!

You can also use one of the many bariatric apps to keep yourself on track. Seeing how you’ve progressed since you started losing weight and how your food choices keep getting better and better will help keep you on the healthy path.

Let them know that they’re not alone in this journey and, like us, you’re there every step of the way. 

Last but most importantly, strong relationships. Together is better, so ask friends and family to join you in your activities, let them hold you accountable for your workouts and diet. You’re not alone in this journey. This is why we always circle back to our private Facebook Patient Support Group, mostly because having a large group of people rooting for each other’s success is a great source of encouragement and motivation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your experiences, and be completely honest how you’re feeling because it’s likely that more than one person has gone through the same thing and is more than happy to give you some advice. Plus, our team and Dr. Ismael are constantly checking the group’s feed, answering questions, and providing words of encouragement. 

If you’re feeling discouraged or frustrated because of lack of motivation, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always here to listen and help in any way we can. You can also talk to us through our social media:

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Youtube Channel Diabetes Obesity Clinic 

Dr. Ismael Bailon

Dr. Ismael Bailon Facebook

Did a loved one recently undergo weight loss surgery? Good for them! As you know, having a strong support system is crucial for bariatric patients, as this  life changing decision  is a very emotional one and it might have its ups and downs. There are many ways you can be a part of their weight loss journey. Trust us, It will benefit them greatly and we’re pretty sure it may start to benefit you and your health in the long run!

First of all, try to join in on their diet once the seven stages of their pre-op diet are over. You might have to adjust a few of the portions since theirs will be much smaller, but cooking healthy meals for the whole family can make them feel less like an outsider. Another thing you can do, food wise, is avoid having junk food in the house. 

This will help avoid unhealthy snacking and/or cravings. Fill your cupboards and fridge with healthy food instead! As you know, sticking to a meal plan is only part of the effort. 

You also have to maintain an active lifestyle! Encourage them by exercising together! It’s always more fun to have a gym buddy to share your workout routine with. You can hold each other accountable and make sure you’re both being constant. Since walking is such a crucial step at the start of your weightloss journey, this can also be a great opportunity to get to know many hiking trails around your area and enjoy the scenery.

Patients tend to focus on the changes in the scale. Remind them of the many little victories like walking 5 minutes more than usual, or having to resize their favorite pair of pants! As always, try to celebrate victories with things that don’t involve food or alcohol. 

It’s better to not associate empty calories with rewards. Instead, you can plan a weekend getaway,  a shopping trip, flowers,  maybe bring them breakfast in bed?

Lastly, give them lots of love and affection. They are undergoing many changes in every aspect of their lives and in a very quick way. It’s normal for them to be overwhelmed sometimes, so create a safe space for them to express themselves, their feelings, their frustrations, and their thoughts.

Let them know that they’re not alone in this journey and, like us, you’re there every step of the way. 

For a greater sense of community, we encourage you to join our support group and follow us on social media for tips, motivational content, and delicious recipes.

Facebook Diabetes Obesity Clinic 

Instagram @diabetesobesityclinic

Youtube Channel Diabetes Obesity Clinic 

You will be surprised how much the world changes around you when you start dropping that excess weight. Both physical and psychological aspects of your life start to shift and improve.

Dressing rooms are no longer an enemy.

The first thing you might notice is how your clothes fit, look, and feel so much better. Also, because the variety of clothes you can now choose from is so much larger, you can now pick clothes that you like and feel confident in and not for clothes that simply fit. This will change your outlook on shopping, dressing rooms, and outfits. Soon, your closet will be fully replaced by clothes that fit your new body and life, giving you the opportunity to finally show off your sense of style.

Moving will feel a bit awkward.

You might realize that you feel a bit clumsy for a while. This is your body relearning how to walk, sit, and stand without having to carry an extra amount of weight. Your center of gravity is slowly shifting and you’re going to find yourself feeling a bit thrown off balance while your body is readjusting. Don’t worry, this is only temporary. You will be able to move properly and gracefully in no time.

Regaining independence.

If your excess weight was interfering with your mobility, you will notice that losing weight and regaining your ability to do things for yourself is absolutely freeing. No more mobility scooters, wheelchairs, or canes. You will also find that eating right and keeping yourself hydrated makes you have more energy throughout the day, allowing you to remain active for longer periods of time.

Good habits will infiltrate your social circles.

Changes in your lifestyle can start impacting family and friends in a very positive way. A healthy mindset will most likely inspire and encourage others in your social circle to do the same. Plus, if you have kids at home, taking care of food quality and portions will help them develop healthy eating habits from a young age.

Surprise savings.

This is something most people don’t consider but, when you think about it, food is expensive! Reducing the portions of food makes a positive impact on your pocket. That money can go into rewarding yourself with new clothes, trips, makeovers, concerts, dates, you name it!

A thankful body.

Have you noticed the pain on your knees has lessened? Are you able to walk without your back hurting as much? This is an ongoing aspect of weight loss. You will find that pains related to obesity have lessened or in some cases, disappeared completely. This is your body’s way of thanking you for reducing the stress on your joints and bones. The closer you get to your healthy weight, the lesser the pain.

Obesity is a term that means you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of many health problems. Here you’ll find out more information.

Sleep Apnea:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that obesity is the most important risk factor for sleep apnea. A person who is overweight may have more fat stored around his or her neck. This may make the airway smaller. A smaller airway can make breathing difficult or loud (because of snoring), or breathing may stop altogether for short periods of time.

Type 2 Diabetes

More than 87% of adults with diabetes are overweight or obese. It isn’t clear why people who are overweight are more likely to develop this disease. It may be that being overweight causes cells to change, making them resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin carries sugar from blood to the cells, where it is used for energy.

 

Cancer:

Gaining weight as an adult increases the risk for several cancers, even if the weight gain doesn’t result in overweight or obesity. It isn’t known exactly how being overweight increases the risk of cancer. Fat cells may release hormones that affect cell growth, leading to cancer. Also, eating or physical activity habits that may lead to being overweight may also contribute to cancer risk.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

The frequency of being overweight in children and teenagers has increased dramatically in recent years. Nearly one-third of youths are either overweight or obese. Sweetened drinks, fast food, snack foods, a lack of physical activity all contribute to the problem. Here are some benefits you can get from bariatric surgery.

Better Health

Some medical problems in obese teens that may improve after bariatric surgery are:

• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Heartburn and GERD
• High blood pressure
• Asthma

Quality of life

It’s well known that losing weight can improve your lifestyle completely giving teens the chance to live a better life. The goal of bariatric surgery is to provide the highest possible benefits with the lowest risk. After having surgery, adolescents can get involved in physical activities, such as sports, and can easily develop new healthy habits.

Performing Bariatric Surgery brings many benefits not only related with how the people look like after weight loss, but most importantly the metabolic change that benefits their health. In the following text you´ll find more information about some benefits of Bariatric Surgery.

Long Term Weight Loss Success
Bariatric Surgery is also known as Weight Loss Surgery. We know most diets can end in bounce backs but bariatric surgeries result in a successful weight loss taking you to a new lifestyle that guarantees you not getting your weight back. Studies show that more than 90 percent of individuals previously affected by severe obesity are successful in maintaining 50 percent or more of their excess weight loss following bariatric surgery

Longevity
Studies find that individuals affected by severe obesity who have had bariatric surgery have a lower risk of death than individuals affected by obesity who do not have surgery. Significant weight loss is also associated with a number of other changes in your body that help to reduce defects in fat metabolism.

Freedom of Movement
Individuals who find themselves on a weight-loss trend often engage in physical activity, such as walking, biking, swimming, etc.
Even the simplest everyday activities are enjoyed again like tying your shoes, rolling in bed, occupying only 1 seat in the car, fit in the seats of the amusement parks and more.

Self esteem
Depression and anxiety are significantly reduced following bariatric surgery.
Having surgery it’s just the first step to engage individuals into taking a new lifestyle. Patients tend to start exercising and putting themselves out there because they feel more confident, strong and healthy.

When you are on a new path for a healthier lifestyle there are some simple steps that can make a difference.
By eating slow, you digest food better, so it will be easier to lose or maintain your weight, your body will be better hydrate, and you’ll have greater satisfaction with your meals. On the other hand, eating quickly leads to poor digestion, lower satisfaction, and increased weight gain. That’s why the message is clear: Slow down your eating, enjoy your food and improve health and well-being.

Eating slowly makes you digest better. Yet you also feel more satisfied with each meal and you lose or maintain weight more easily.
Think of every time you are on a rush over a meal and barely sit down. In this sense, meals are a stressing time for busy people making them eventually eat more. Finishing your meal before your natural satiety kicks in, and suddenly ending up makes people feel uncomfortable and overstuffed.

Why eat slowly?
When you eat slowly, taste food, feel the texture of the food, savor a meal, and appreciate each bite you leave the table feeling good not only in our body but in the whole eating experience even if all you eat was a snack.

Some helpful tips
Sit down to eat in a calm environment with minimal distractions. Don’t eat while driving, watching TV, texting, etc. Pay attention to your food not only in flavors but in quantity.
Choose high-fiber foods that take more time to chew, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Put down your utensils between bites. Take a moment. Breathe. If you’re eating with other people, enjoy the conversation for a few minutes.
Try setting a minimum number of chews per bite. This will feel strange at first, but give it a try and see what you discover.
Use smaller plates. This obviously reduces the intake of food each meal.

Distracted eating happens when while eating your mind is elsewhere but on the meal that is in front of you. This is the opposite of mindful eating when we enjoy our meal and make healthy-smart choices.
Distracted eating happens not only to grown-ups but many times kids as well, worst of all, sometimes the entire family. People get distracted by the TV, a mobile device, or a video game.

If you are concerned about your weight the answer is simple; pay attention to what you eat and avoid multitasking. Take your time to enjoy your meal, savor the food, enjoy the texture, make a family habit of sitting down at the dinner table without any gadget and have quality time.

Unplug yourself
Being distracted or not paying attention to a meal might tend to people eat more at that meal whereas paying attention to a meal was linked to eating less later on.
These results make good sense. Hunger is not the only thing that influences how much we eat during the day. Attention and memory also play roles. For instance, after you start eating, it takes an average of 20 minutes for the brain begins to start sending the message of fulfillment of not being hungry anymore and turn off appetite. If you are busy or in hurrying not paying attention you could easily take in many more calories than you need in 20 minutes.

Mindful eating is a broader approach to living a healthier lifestyle called mindfulness. This includes being fully aware of what is happening within and around you at the moment of the day. You can practice mindfulness during any daily activity even eating.
Regarding eating, mindfulness includes noticing the colors, flavors, smells, and textures of your food. It also means getting rid of distractions like television or reading or working on your computer. Keep it simple and avoid multitasking and only eat.

Eat one meal a day or week in a slower, more attentive manner. Here you have some tips that may help you get on your way:
• Make sure to follow your eating plan on time, measure your portions, never skip a meal and be disciplined.
• Try eating with your non-dominant hand; if you’re a righty, hold your fork in your left hand when lifting food to your mouth.
• Take small bites and chew well.
• Try chopsticks if you don’t normally use them.
• Be quiet for five minutes, thinking about what it took to produce that meal, all the way from the farm to your table.
• Before you eat anything ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” Do something else, like reading or going on a short walk.

Remember that bariatric surgery it’s only the first step into a healthier lifestyle, weight loss shouldn’t be your main goal your health should, so make sure to always remember that when you eat. Your food choices are up to you, every meal is an opportunity to nurture your body so choose wisely.