New Year's Resolved: Five Strategies for Success

 Happy New Year Dear Readers!

Are you resolved to make this year -- 2017 -- your healthiest year ever using your weight loss surgery tool? If so, then join me! I am ready for this fresh new start and I'm eager to go the distance to take advantage of my WLS and make this my healthiest year ever. I know it takes work to maintain a healthy weight and healthy attitude after bariatric surgery -- after all, I've been at this since my gastric bypass in 1999! So with your interest and mine at heart I'm pulling out some great advice I've accumulated over the years and adding some new nuggets of wisdom to this knowledge base so we can all be inspired and motivated to do our best in 2017.

Let's begin today, January 1, with 5 strategies for success. They work. I know they do. Give them a try and find out how attainable success can be for you.

Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to spending a meaningful year with you on this crazy journey we call LivingAfterWLS!

CHEERS!
Kaye

Five Strategies for Success

1. Preparation
The 5 Day Pouch Test is most successful when there is considerable preparation done in advance of Day 1. First, learn the plan completely. Next, plan your meals and do your grocery shopping to avoid a stop at the store during the 5 days. Finally, create a storm of enthusiasm as you embark on this experiment. Get excited about being in control of your health and nutritional wellness. Anticipate that you will succeed with the 5DPT, that you will emerge on Day 6 with renewed confidence in your pouch and the excitement that comes from taking control over the Carb Monster.

Review the Plan: 5 Day Pouch Test

2. Find a Friend
Do not travel alone. The power of friendship and bonding breathes life into our heart and soul. In the Day 6 book  I wrote, "Ask for help. Often I receive letters from Neighbors who have gone missing from our online community. They start, "Sorry I haven't been around the Neighborhood, I've been struggling lately." It is an odd thing that at times when me most need help we retreat. Let me assure you, there is always someone doing well in the Neighborhood who has strength to spare. When you are struggling don't retreat, come to the safe haven circle of friends and let the collective strength buoy you in your time of need. Ask for help. In the karma of life your turn will come around to give back in a friend's time of need."

Official 5 Day Pouch Test Facebook Group

3. Pot of Soup
Never underestimate the comforting power of a healthy well-made soup: it is your best weapon in the battle against the Carb Monster. Use any fresh vegetables that you like. Saute them in a scant amount of olive oil which will help your body absorb the nutrients and then simmer in reduced sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable broth until nice and tender Serve yourself some delicious goodness one cup at a time and feel the love.

Try These: Carb Monster Soup Recipes

4. Practice Kindness
It simply breaks my heart when I read the self-loathing talk so many of us express when we feel we have failed at weight loss surgery. I think because we are encouraged to set goals we think there is a finish line. But in this effort we are in the race for life; there is no finish line. Sometimes during the race we are full speed ahead and other times we are one foot in front of the other trudging along. I believe on most days we are doing the best we can to make it work in a world where it is much easier to be fat. So please, be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the compassion and respect you show your dearest friend. Stop the self-loathing dialog and replace it with the generosity in your heart that you so willingly give to others. Be kind to yourself. Please?

More about the role of self kindness: Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test by Kaye Bailey

5. Focus
Practice mental presence during the 5 Day Pouch Test. Be mindful of all you eat, how you move your body and observe your energy levels and patterns. Be completely aware of yourself and identify the things that are working and helping you to feel refreshed and alive. Use the 5 Day Pouch Test journal to record your experience and focus on learning about yourself. Awareness is not selfish, it is part of the process of understanding so that we may improve our health and wellness. Carry this focus forward to Day 6 and continue to treat your body in a kind and healthy manner and avoid stepping back into the the self-loathing and unhealthy behavior that brought you here.
Download 5 Day Pouch Test Journal