I post far less than I did in the past. Perhaps you’ve noticed. Perhaps you’ve never heard of me.
There are many reasons for my pause: general busy-ness, and full-throttle days in my psychology private practice.
But, in truth, 6 years post-surgery, I’m sobered.
The sparkle of the early years has dulled. I am ever more aware of how much grit it takes to succeed at Bariatric Mind Mastery (a term that encapsulates all aspects of post-surgery life).
There have been a lot of consequences, both positive and negative, emanating from my initial choice to have a sleeve.
I had an immediate, life-threatening complication.
I got to goal quickly and stayed there for many years.
I was fortunate enough to afford a mommy-makeover, which was life-changing.
I experienced a season of regain, took weight loss meds for a while.
I suffered a small bowel obstruction that nearly killed me… And put me into an emergency OR, onto a ventilator and into a coma.
I experienced a mid-life-crisis / Damascus-Road-epiphany, that changed every single priority.
I became increasingly more health and fitness-conscious, in a way I never could have imagined.
And I did all of this whilst providing therapy and coaching to many of you, on similar journeys.
But (like you, I’d imagine), I also have a shadow that follows me around. A cross to bear… A thorn in my side… Of a lifelong history of eating-disordered behaviour, binge-eating, emotional eating, and habitual overeating. This remits and relapses; remits and relapses. And day-in-and-day-out, I SLOG.
I remain confident of my ability to maintain within my goal range and lead a full and healthy life. But it’s a HARD-WON confidence, which is why I post less.
I’m no longer overzealous; I’m sober - I know what it takes, and it’s a LOT. I don’t know how to get pre-surgery patients, and honeymoon-phase newbies, to understand, and to take action.
I’m in weekly therapy. Without fail. Every week. For years.
Daily reading, podcast-surfing, journaling, meal-prepping.
Infusing my mind constantly with wisdom and techniques from my professional life.
It’s a lot.
Are you in for “a lot”?
I work with many bariatric patients. Irrespective of where they are relative to SURGERY DAY, they’re unanimous that it gets harder.
Victory results from daily work - on mind, physique, nutrition, trauma, and reaching towards a future self.
And it isn’t for the faint hearted. Or for anyone hoping for a quick fix.
Pre-surgery, I binge-watched surgeon Matthew Weiner’s “A Pound of Cure” channel (he’s great, and I highly recommend him, especially for pre-surgery individuals).
Amongst other things, he teaches that we should all consume at least 1 pound of vegetables per day. At least.
Way back then, I scoffed at the thought. “As if!”.
But today, I always include mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and spinach in my breakfast.
I make a daily soup of cauliflower, carrots, green beans, broccoli, and spinach.
And this post you’re reading now was inspired by the dinner I just ate, that amused me on some level, when I thought back to Debbie circa 2012. This evening, I dined on a savoury mince full of onion, cabbage, spinach, and beans.
My point:
Do your work.
On your nutrition.
On your habits, urges and impulses.
On your fitness, mobility, and agility.
On your traumas, and your relationships.
Level up daily… weekly. Level up your food choices, your thinking, your training, your living and your loving. Reach, push forward, seek progress.
No matter where you are on your journey, realise that it’s a full-time job, and commit to it, hard.
Within whatever means you have - and I know times are tough - establish your team.
Of dieticians, nutritionists, personal trainers, psychologists, coaches, authors - whoever and whatever you need. Find your people and start securing your long-term success.
Because here’s the truth of bariatric mind mastery:
We are not doing this (only) to be slim.
I’ve often agreed with Rumi, that “the cracks are how the light gets in”. Our ‘crack’ is obesity, for all that means. It can destroy us, emotionally and physically. Or it can be the conduit to our healing, growth, and actualisation. Choose that one.
If you’d like to work closer with me, here are a few options:
- BACK ON TRACK MASTER PLAN MINI-COURSE
- A short and punchy mini program to kick-start your weight loss, specifically geared to helping you get your head back in the game, and plan for success.
- MINI WORKSHOP: STOP NIGHT-TIME SELF-SABOTAGE
- A 90-minute chat about WHY we lose the plot at night, and how to STOP!
- BARIATRIC MIND MASTERS
- My flagship, signature program – all you could need to know to master this life, and I’ve extended a discount I was offering in 2022, for those ready to take this meaningful plunge!
