Post-bariatric surgery life is often viewed through a lens colored by numbers, especially the scale. But this means your victories beyond the scale are not being celebrated enough! Body changes happen but often so subtly that it may feel like you wake up every day to a new body. Take time to get to know and appreciate how your body feels, moves, and all that it does for you.
Body Awareness and Trust
Body awareness is similar to mindfulness practices. It is more about observing and honoring what your body is telling you, rather than you telling your body what you think it should do. Recognizing how your body responds to life, understanding what it need and acting accordingly is a huge step towards living in harmony with your body.
The key to sustaining progress is about working with your body to train smarter, not harder.
Body Celebration
After bariatric surgery, you may feel like your body is a stranger. But every stretch, step, and rep is a chance to reconnect. Just as you would not criticize a stranger, be kind to your body. Make an effort to remember what your capabilities are. In the face of challenge, tell yourself "I have potential here."
💬 Exercise can be a love language between you and your body
Non-Scale Victories: More than just a number
Many people have a toxic relationship with the scale. Just like a controlling boyfriend or girlfriend might constantly pester, have unrealistic expectations, or withhold bits of information- the scale can weigh too heavily on your mind and have too much power over how you feel throughout your journey.
The scale is one measure of your body at a given moment. Just like a map won't inform you of traffic, terrain or weather ahead, the scale doesn't tell you about your body composition, hormone levels, or hydration among many other crucial factors to be considered with "measuring" your progress.
Non-scale victories (NSVs) reveal the deeper wins of your journey.
Here are some to watch for:
Physical Better sleep, improved balance, fewer aches, energy levels
| Functional Climbing stairs more easily, carrying laundry, standing to do dishes
| Mental/Emotional Boosted mood, more confidence in public spaces, improved focus/clarity
| Clothing Fit Clothes feel more comfortable, improved posture (a new outfit can be a great motivation!)
| Exercise Milestones Completing a full workout, mastering the form of a new exercise, increase strength or stamina
Track your NSVs in a journal and watch them pile up!
Before and after photos are just two slides in the motion picture of your life. Your body represents an evolving story of resilience, adaptation, and growth. In your bariatric exercise journey:
Reminder* What got you started? I'll bet it was more than just changing your weight. It’s about gaining strength, confidence, and trust in your body. Awareness, appreciation, and non-scale victories build the kind of transformation that lasts.