Embarking on a journey towards bariatric surgery is a huge step for anyone seeking lasting weight loss and improved health. However, the road to success doesn't end with the surgery itself; rather, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter that requires careful planning and commitment. One crucial tool for
The ObesityHelp Conference is just around the corner, and there are many reasons to come! For those new to the conference, the yearly event is “a celebration of health and wellness for those navigating their weight loss surgery journey” and has been happening since 2004. Bariatric professionals, pre-ops, post-ops, and
Bariatric Surgery Maintenance from a Long-Term Post-Op Twelve years ago, at a miserable 305lbs, I decided to get weight loss surgery. Although I experienced many ups and downs throughout my journey, I have been able to maintain a weight loss of nearly 150lbs for the last seven years. But no
How to Stay Fit at Home If you’re stuck indoors, with a little creativity, there are many great options to get your body moving. It’s always a good reminder that, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and
I use the story of Cinderella as a metaphor for bariatric regain. After much struggle, the princess finally gets to wear a beautiful gown and go to the ball, only to have the magic spell wear off at midnight. Getting surgery is our opportunity to wear the beautiful gown and
Regain After WLS: It's Not About Willpower, It's About StrategyIt’s the first day of your new job. You’re bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and excited to take on any challenge that comes your way. You set up your cubicle trinkets and notice a notepad on your desk with a message written on it.
“I’ll start going to the gym when I lose weight.” This statement, as absurd as it may sound, is one I hear frequently as a group fitness instructor. Unbeknownst to many of the individuals who utter it, there is often a much more complex set of feelings hiding behind this
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines exercise as “physical activity that is done to become stronger and healthier.” Exercise is a word I have always hated. For many, the word brings feelings of competitiveness, ambition, and achievement. For me, even after losing 140 pounds and becoming a group fitness instructor, it shines
Celebrating a Non-Scale Victory with Kiba0003 As a Lap-Band post-op in 2008, and a revision to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) in 2013, ObesityHelp member kiba0003 (aka Elena) began taking a Zumba class at her local gym. She had no idea that taking a Zumba class would become an amazing Non-Scale Victory
