Each of us has a certain level of improved wellbeing after weight loss. And while dropping our excess weight is hugely important to our health, there is more that can be done to heighten our wellbeing after weight loss. Consider this:
While some people have a more elevated feeling of wellbeing after weight loss, others have lower feelings of wellbeing and live life in a chronic “stressed” state — one of which they may not even be aware. By and large we live in a stress-provoking world and thusly have normalized this unwell state of being. The fact is, I’ve learned recently just how much stress has, unbeknownst to me, taken a huge toll on my health despite my leading a very healthy lifestyle after weight loss surgery and plastic surgery.
Read: Emotions Run Wild at Capella Plastic Surgery
We often do not recognize how harmful stress is because we can’t “see it,” in a manner of speaking. But stress wreaks incalculable havoc on the body and mind in both the near and short term. It can affect simple things such as our appetites and numerous more serious things to do with the body, from ulcers to anxiety disorders to wearing down the brain’s ability to function properly. Indeed, stress is implicated as causative in many serious diseases.
Commonly, stress very often affects the decisions that we make, too, as our brain begins firing in an unruly fashion. So stress can continue to plague our wellbeing after weight loss, despite the false belief that people like me have held that we are in the best health of our lives. Please take this seriously.
Improve Wellbeing after Weight Loss
Thus one of the very best things we can do for our health, our lives, and our relationships is to get out of our stressed state of being and move towards one of improved wellbeing after weight loss. Even if we don’t feel stressed all the time, surely we can all benefit by “de-stressing.” And below we’ll discover 9 proven ways that will greatly enhance our wellbeing after weight loss, little by little, each and every day. Give this a read and — if you put it into practice — it will change your attitude and your life:
Meditate for at least 5 Minutes
A mere 5-minute meditation in the morning can do so much good for your mindset and your day. Aiming to get into a relaxed state with your brainwaves helps your brain to work more coherently, and allow you to live in the present moment. Longer periods of meditation are even more beneficial and you can work towards that over time. It will take patient and practice, but the work is more than worth it.
Listen to Dr. Joe Dispenza explain why meditation works and why we think the thoughts we think and behave in habitual ways here. My very favorite meditation by Joe Dispenza is the Blessing of the Energy Centers, below.
Also take a look at some of the compelling scientific data from the HeartMath Institute if you seek further proof and understanding. HeartMath is a well-regarded and internationally recognized nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to helping people of all ages reduce stress, self-regulate emotions and build energy and resilience.
My friend Donna, who is a physician, said the HeartMath InnerBalance app was life-changing for her. HeartMath sells biofeedback devices for bringing the heart and brain into coherence and you may prefer this method instead of, or in addition to meditation. I’ve used both meditation and the HeartMath InnerBalance app with excellent results!
There are several such biofeedback devices on the market for calming the mind. My friend Craig likes the Muse Brain-Sensing Headband pictured below.
Find what you enjoy and make it a daily or twice daily habit. I strive to meditate once in the morning and once in the evening.
Do a Form of Exercise or Movement
Moving the body releases happy hormones, and instantly makes us feel better. There is some form of movement for every level of conditioning — gentle or restorative yoga, tai chi easy, qigong, and aquatherapy are choices for people with limited physical fitness and I have done all of these programs with delight.
Those who are physically conditioned can challenge themselves with Les Mills Workouts like my favorite BodyCombat, rowing, or running — all activities that I have enjoyed, as well, depending where I am in my conditioning. And I use the Polar A370 Fitness Tracker / Heart Rate Monitor / Calorie Counter, below, to ensure that I stay on track with whatever level of fitness I am at in any given time.
Exercise has a plethora of benefits that should not be ignored when it comes to wellbeing — so get moving according to your level of fitness.
Work on Personal or Professional Development
Take a little time to work on your personal or professional development every year. Don’t just head to a 9-5 job and work hard without thinking of what truly drives your passion! My friend Susan always dreamed of becoming a nurse. And once her children were grown, Susan left her 9-5 job and pursued a degree at Grand Canyon University Nursing.
Perhaps you would find interesting an online course or two for your personal development. The options are seemingly endless, covering everything from ‘cultivating willpower’ to ‘personal mastery’ to ‘transforming your body in 90-days.’ Check out the many offerings from providers like Yoga International and The Great Courses — each offers free trials.
Journal Your Thoughts
Journaling can help you to get everything out of your head and onto paper, instantly making you feel less stressed. Plus, reading back on your journal entries can be a lot of fun later on down the line!
Consider journals for women. Or journals for men. And check out fitness journals, too. There are even special bariatric journals for people who have had or will have weight loss surgery. Now that’s seems to me to be some pretty clever pre-planning for wellbeing after weight loss!
If you’re among the digerati like me then you might prefer journal apps for your mobile device or laptop. Bonus: There are many free apps to choose from!
Bring Yourself Back to the Present Moment
When you find yourself thinking about the past or worrying about the future, then it’s time to bring your attention back to the present moment. It can be tough to be mindful all of the time, but it really helps one’s sense of wellbeing after weight loss.
Many years ago, after my weight loss surgery, I took an 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Course. And if you want to try mindfulness without an extensive commitment or expense, then check out The 90-Day Mindfulness Journal (click the image).
Severals friends have spoken to me about the wonderful healing effects of CBD oil. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound from the Cannabis sativa plant that is sold legally without a prescription. And it’s non-narcotic anxiolytic effects suggest that CBD can help improve our overall health and wellbeing after weight loss. Since I much prefer supplements over pharmaceuticals, I got a bottle each of Xwerks CBD Oil and Capsules to try when anxiety rears its ugly head.
Breath Deep
Most people take shallow breaths, and this signals to the body that we are stressed. Practice taking deep breaths more regularly and you should feel more relaxed. Again, the biofeedback devices mentioned above from the HeartMath Institute can be a terrific tool for regulating the breathe, as can the breath work of meditation or pranayama.
I plan to take a Pranayama Intensive at the Himalayan Institute so that I make a habit of deep breathing throughout the day versus only during meditation. But pranayama is about more than learning how to breathe. It is a deep look at understanding, building, and directing energy toward health and vitality and sustaining life. Learn more on Yoga International.
Challenge Yourself
Get out of your comfort zone by doing something challenging. Take a risk — not something dangerous or foolhardy, just stretch your limitations. You never know what you might achieve, who you might meet, or the fun you might have.
Once I had bariatric plastic surgery and let go of the excess skin and the fear that had been holding me back for so long, is when I truly began to live life larger than ever. I vowed to never let fear hold me back from doing the things I wanted to do or saying what was in my heart.
My granddaughter and I ran our first 3k together in Monterrey, CA. I swam with sharks and stingrays and turtles in Belize. I went out on “The Ledge” in Chicago. I went zip lining and completed a rigorous 4-hr treetops rope course in Nashville. I became certified in Reiki II. I climbed pyramids all over Mexico. I went off-roading somewhere in GA, speed boating on the Cheet River, and 70mph on a wave runner in TN. I joined an adult rowing team. I learned belly dancing. I lived outside the country in an uber cool third world nation for 4-months. I star-gazed and saw the aurora borealis in the UP in Michigan. And so MUCH more.
Pay Attention to Your Thoughts
Pay more attention to your thoughts and interrupt negative thinking patterns. I often refuse negative thoughts and dismiss them by silently yelling in my mind, “No. I refuse to accept these thoughts.” It works!
In my belief system, we create our own happiness or unhappiness. We may not have control over everything or everyone in our lives but we do have control over how we respond to them. We have more control than we may realize.
Practice Gratitude
We have lots to be grateful for, too. Be grateful for everything, and acknowledge these things daily. I often say “thank you” in the moment to Creator/God/Source. I find that before bedtime is a great time to do so, as well.
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
