Being grateful

Being grateful has something to do with weight loss or bariatric surgery? It does. And much more than you could even imagine. Still no thoughts about this topic? So let’s have a look a little deeper into this.

You can

Let’s leave apart why you became overweight. It is a whole different story. It happened and now you have to face the consequences. And here comes the very first thing to become grateful for. You can. You are surrounded by options, possibilities, and opportunities that will help you to deal with this problem. As obvious as it seems, not everybody has access to this type of support. As simple as it sounds, it is a big thing. You can. You can decide that you want to do something about this and you have the means to achieve that.

You have access to healthcare

Better or worse, depending on where you’re reading this from, but you still have access to doctors, most likely nutritionists, endocrinologists, and most likely even bariatric surgeons in case everything else fails. This may seem obvious, but trust me, I have been to places where a simple aspirin was a miracle. Not all medical care should be taken for granted. They pinch us, they cut us, but they are here for us when things go south.

You have good food around

To lose weight, you will need adequate food. All those ultra-processed things coming in a convenient box are not the best option for you, and you know it well. Yes, healthy food can be more expensive but in the long term, it is actually not. If you take into account how much money you will spend on your future healthcare checks, it is still much cheaper to buy chicken and broccoli for dinner.

You can do your exercise

As simple as this might sound, it is not as obvious for everyone. No matter how much you hate it at first, don’t lie, each of us did 😀, you still have some level of health left so you can start doing at least some kind of exercise. Some people can’t. They might be missing a limb, might be immunodeficient, might be wheelchair-bound, you name it. They would do anything to be able to go for a jog. See the difference?

You have access to specialized attention

Not everybody will use this but still. You can go to the gym, there are many especially if you live in a city. There are specialized trainers, people who dedicate themselves to sports nutrition, there are vitamins, supplements, classes, courses, and individual programs. You name it. It is all there and waiting for you. I get it, it can be pretty expensive, but still, you have this option.

You can have surgery

In case everything mentioned before fails and you still can’t lose weight using somewhat traditional methods, you still can have bariatric surgery. It is an extreme sport, but it is an option. I had it, I can tell you first hand. But it is an option. If you qualify through the public health system, great. If not, you will have to pay for it. All I would say about this is: do it only and if only in case you really can’t lose the weight in any other way. It is no joke.

You are being given a second chance

Undergoing bariatric surgery takes a lot of time, dedication, and mental strength. It is definitely not an easy way out. That is why some people fail. I was endlessly grateful when I was approved. I swore I wouldn’t let this slip through my fingers. I took it as a second chance in my life. I will do anything in my power to be a successful long-term loser. This surgery saved my life.

You have support

Whether it is your bari team or your family and friends, these people will (mostly) cheer for you and support your decision. They know that morbid obesity cuts a good chunk of your life. Whether you still don’t have any comorbidities related to your excess weight, you will get them at some point. Sooner or later you will get sick. And sometimes there is no way back. People around you are critical in your journey. Again, don’t take them for granted. They might disappear faster than you could ever thought.

You have the time

What do I mean by this? Easy: you started acting on time. Maybe your weight is having already some impact on your health but you are still able to revert things. It will take some time, and a lot of effort, most likely the surgery, but you still can do that. Some people got to the point when it was too late. Their health was so fragile that they died. Nothing could help them anymore.

You see the progress

If you have embarked on the journey of weight loss, you know that it can be a pretty bumpy road. Sometimes things go easily, and sometimes the weight doesn’t move for weeks. So be grateful for every improvement you notice along the journey. It is not all about the weight. Nonscale victories are also the same important. Same weight but better blood work? Amazing! Crossed legs? Wow! Smaller clothes size? Yay!

You reached your goal

It took you forever (in your own perspective), but eventually, you did it. You are at your healthy weight, you reached the number on the scales that was your dream (sometimes a pretty silly one). It made you happy and what is more healthy. Reaching any goal you set up for yourself is a great morale boost. It is good for your self-esteem and for your self-worth. Great for you!

You are healthy again

There are many reasons why people lose weight. It may be as simple as a number obsession, they want to be toned, even skinny. But it is a whole different thing when you are trying to save yourself and gain back your crumbling health. There is nothing that can make you happier and more grateful than a doctor telling you that they don’t want to see you anymore because there is nothing to see. You are healthy again. Happy tears 😉

Being grateful is good for you. Yes, it is like that. Check Google and you will see for yourself. There is a whole “science” about this. It even makes changes in your brain. Really! If you focus ourself on things you are grateful for, you are focusing on good things. And good things make you feel good. The more time you feel good, the happier you are. Easy as that.

Yes, sometimes you have to look with a magnifying glass to find at least something you can be grateful for 😀 Everybody has those days. But the moment you find something, it gets miraculously a little better. It is the first stepping stone. You are a little out from the mud around you. Take it as a good start and leap. Who knows what great things you will find on your way?

I am not talking about endless optimism here. At all. Sometimes things really suck. It is a harsh reality. The trick is trying not to focus on the bad bad bad. Try to make it a new habit. Try to find every day at least one thing to be grateful for. No matter how hard it is.

I will make you smile now. I have a special bottle and 365 small papers I cut every January 1st. I write a thing I am grateful for every single day. Something good happened to me. No matter how small the thing might be, I write it on the paper and put it in the bottle. And then, on December 31st I break it and go through the papers. There are a lot of little gems I wouldn’t even remember had I not written them down and stored them in my special bottle.

Will you try that too?