Finding your ideal state of health

Tuesday, 05 October 2010 15:21

Many people who choose Lap-Band surgery have struggled with their weight most of their lives. You have most likely tried different diets and weight-loss efforts over the years with varying degrees of success. For many people, lasting physical change is elusive without the right mental outlook. As you adjust to your band and the lifestyle changes it requires, remember that you may have to also adjust your way of thinking about your weight and your health.

• Don't focus on the number on the scale. That number isn't necessarily going to be an accurate measure of your progress. You may go through periods of losing weight followed by periods of plateaus. If you are working out regularly, you may replace fat with muscle. Instead of focusing on the numbers, focus on feeling fit and healthy. Pay attention to how you feel when you are eating healthier and getting enough exercise. Focus on that feeling of well-being rather than what the scale says or what size clothes you are wearing.
  
  
• Remember that everyone's ideal state of health looks different. Try to keep from comparing yourself to others. Your ideal size is whatever makes you feel strong and energetic. If you have a large frame, you are never going to look like someone who is a size 0, no matter how much you exercise. In her book Hungry, plus-size model Crystal Renn talks about how she severely jeopardized her health by trying to force her 5'9" curvy body down to a size that wasn't healthy for her. When she finally realized she was killing herself to be skinny and accepted her body the way it was meant to be, she became much healthier, physically and emotionally.
  
  
• Don't expect immediate results. The healthiest weight loss happens slowly. Learning and adopting healthier habits takes time. Chances are, you have spent years developing and indulging in habits that weren't the best for you. You may even have some experience with yo-yo diets that worked for a while - until they didn't. Remember the changes you are making now are setting you up for a much healthier future. Don't be too hard on yourself if it takes some time for them to become habitual.
  
  
• Be open to new things. Changing up your exercise routine will keep challenging your body when your weight begins to plateau. Experimenting with different forms of exercise and even trying some new classes will keep your workout routine from becoming boring. Don't underestimate the power of weight training or seemingly milder forms of exercise such as yoga. Anything that gets your body moving in new ways will help improve your health.