We are several months into the new year, and this is the time when we all take a look at our New Year’s resolutions to see if we are following them. It’s when we start looking at how much progress we’ve made.
For many, this is around the time when resolutions start to wither, and the great motivation from the beginning of the year turns into frustration and despair.
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in this. Bariatric surgery and the subsequent lifestyle changes aren’t easy. But you can do this!
New Year’s resolutions can go two ways. They can be very motivating and exciting when done right, or anxiety-inducing and downright depressing when approached incorrectly. Ultimately, while we all have the best of intentions, sometimes we don’t hit our goals. Why is that? And what can we do?
Pacing and Expectations
First, it’s all about how quickly we want to reach our goals. No matter what you are looking to achieve, slow and steady is key. Often, in a fit of motivation, we set unnecessarily lofty goals for ourselves, forgetting that getting healthier is a process and doesn’t happen overnight.
Think about how long your health may have been in decline, and give yourself at least half that time to return to normal. For some of us, it requires even more. Most importantly, set interim goals, so you have small celebrations along the way to the ultimate big win.
Preparation and Buy-In
Lack of preparation can take down even the best of intentions. Any improvement you want to make in your lifestyle requires the buy-in of those around you. In the case of losing weight, you can’t have everyone around you eating sugary foods and expect you will be able to avoid them indefinitely. The same goes for alcohol. Going to the gym is another biggie—if you don’t have somebody to go with, being alone there may be dispiriting and unenjoyable.
It’s Not Temporary
A New Year’s resolution is often seen as temporary, which can be problematic when it comes to long-term lifestyle change. Let’s say you hit all your goals and met or exceeded the expectations you set for your resolution. What do you do then? Do you go back to your old habits? Of course not. You have to stick to your new lifestyle changes well into the future. As such, a New Year’s resolution is simply a catalyst or a starting point toward a lifelong commitment to improve your health.
It’s Never Too Late
Lastly, but certainly not least, if you have not achieved what you wanted by now, it’s not too late to get back on track. No matter what your goals are, they are still achievable, and you shouldn’t give up on them just because you didn’t hit them on the timeline you expected. Remember to pick yourself back up and try again. Slow, incremental changes are not always linear, and you may encounter setbacks before moving forward.
Are Your Goals Reasonable for Your Age and Activity Level?
This is an important consideration because you necessarily lose some ability as you age. If you are a sprightly young 25-year-old, you have quite a bit more opportunity to push yourself physically than even the most active and wise 65-year-old. It’s just how our bodies are made and a consequence of aging. Ensure your goals are realistic for where you are in life right now.
Get Professional Help
If you don’t have anyone to work out or diet with, or if you find yourself struggling to stay on track, consider getting professional help, whether psychological or physical. Doing so makes you accountable and gives you a professional in your corner, allowing you to push yourself without as much worry about injury or doing the wrong thing. Further, they can help you change up your workouts or diets to make them more enjoyable and, consequently, sustainable.
The Bottom Line
If your New Year’s resolution hasn’t panned out the way you expected and you’ve gotten frustrated, we encourage you to take a step back. Lean on our team at SAMPA to help understand where you may have gone wrong, regroup, and try again. This time, enlist the help of your medical professionals to get on the right track and stay there.
We look forward to seeing the results of your health renewal and hope you’ll share them with us soon.
