Reigniting Your Weight Loss Goals
By Dr. Renetta Weaver, LICSW

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

January is a big month for bariatric patients to reset their weight loss goals. With the
start of the new year, many people make resolutions to get healthy and lose weight. For
those who have had bariatric surgery or are considering it, January offers an opportunity
to map out a plan for success in achieving your goals.

The National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK)
recommends that people who have had gastric bypass surgery take time each year to
review their progress, assess where they are currently at, and adjust their goals
accordingly. This is especially important during January when motivation levels tend to
be highest. Setting realistic objectives early on can help patients stay on track
throughout the year while reducing the risk of disappointment later on.

For many bariatric patients, setting and achieving weight loss goals can be a
challenging task. It is important to have realistic expectations so that the goals are
achievable and you don’t become discouraged. This article will provide bariatric patients
with tips and strategies on how to make their weight loss goals stick and ensure they
reach their desired outcome. In this article, we will look at the importance of goal setting,
developing healthy habits, finding support systems, and keeping motivated.

Goal-setting- For those looking to achieve their weight loss goals through bariatric
procedures, setting realistic goals is essential for a successful outcome. Achieving
sustainable weight loss requires more than just surgery, but also a commitment to
making lifestyle changes and setting attainable objectives. Here are the steps you
should take in order to set yourself up for success:
The first step in goal setting is to identify your current health status and your desired
end goal. Consider the amount of weight you want to lose, what dietary and exercise

modifications need to be made, as well as any additional lifestyle changes that may be
necessary. Utilizing reliable resources such as nutritionists or dieticians can help
provide guidance on how much weight you should really aim to lose over time.

Setting SMART goals provide bariatric clients with an effective and efficient pathway for
achieving their desired weight loss results. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Timely; these five simple words can help guide people to
success when it comes to losing weight.

Developing healthy habits- Weight loss is a goal for many people and bariatric
surgery can be a great way to help you reach it. While surgeries such as gastric bypass
or sleeve gastrectomy are beneficial, they won’t be successful without developing
healthy habits that support your weight loss goals. Here are some steps to take to help
ensure success on your bariatric weight loss journey.

First, make sure you’re following the instructions of your physician and surgeon. This
includes any dietary restrictions that have been recommended as well as any exercise
limitations or recommendations you may have been given after surgery. Additionally, it’s
important to practice portion control when eating meals since one of the primary goals
of bariatric surgery is restricting food intake so your body can adjust its size accordingly.
Eating smaller planned meals, not grazing, more frequently throughout the day can also
help you feel fuller while still maintaining proper portion sizes.

Finding a support system- Are you considering bariatric weight loss surgery? If so, it
is important to understand that you will need a strong support system throughout the
process. From making the decision to have surgery, through recovery and beyond,
people who undergo bariatric surgery will need ongoing support from family, friends,
and healthcare professionals in order to be successful. Building a strong support system
can help make this life-changing journey easier.

Start by identifying key players on your team. This should include family members or
close friends who can provide social and emotional support during your recovery period
and serve as cheerleaders or accountability partners when it comes to developing
healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise and nutrition. You may even want to consider

joining a bariatric weight loss program or online forum where you can build relationships
with individuals who are also embarking on their own path toward better health.
Keeping motivated- Maintaining motivation for bariatric weight loss can be a challenge.

But with the right steps, you can stay focused and determined to reach your goals. Here
are some tips on how to keep motivated when it comes to bariatric weight loss:
Set realistic goals – Setting unrealistic or overly ambitious goals can set you up for
failure and make it difficult to stay motivated. Instead, create achievable milestones that
will help you progress toward your overall goal. Break down each milestone into smaller
steps and celebrate successes along the way.

Track your progress – Keep track of your progress by writing down everything from
foods eaten, exercise activities completed, and even how many glasses of water
consumed in a day. This will help keep you accountable as well as allow you to
measure improvements over time which provides further motivation to stay on track.

In conclusion, Bariatric weight loss is a big undertaking and it’s important to be realistic
about the changes that need to be made. Goal setting, developing healthy habits,
finding support systems, and staying motivated are all key steps in achieving successful
weight loss. With the right attitude and resources, bariatric weight loss can become a
reality. It is important to take one step at a time and stay consistent in order to create
long-term progress.

About the Author
Dr. Renetta Weaver is a Doctor of Metaphysics and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
She is the founder of Regain No More where she helps Bariatric clients move the scale
to the left in the right way through courses, counseling, coaching and consulting.