10 Tips to Take Your Life Back

Spring is a time of renewal, which means that it’s a great time to re-evaluate your health. Oftentimes we are so bogged down with work, family, community activities and other obligations that we fail to take time for ourselves. Whether you are preparing for bariatric surgery, want to lose a few pounds or just want to enjoy a healthier version of yourself, use these 10 tips to take your life back and charge into summer feeling refreshed and in control.

 

      1.     If you haven’t lately, see your doctor for a physical and discuss how you can become a healthier version of yourself. If nothing else, check your Body Mass Index to know where you stand in terms of a healthy weight.

       2.     Eat less, more often. Rather than eating three large meals a day, break up your calories into five or six meals. Your digestive system works more efficiently on a lighter load, and your blood sugar levels stay more consistent, which leads to fewer food cravings. Try our Simple Food Swaps for a Healthier You. 

      3.    Make a weekly meal plan and prepare food in bulk. Place the plan on the fridge so all family members can see it and can help with preparations. Take an hour or two on the weekends to prepare food for the week ahead so your prep time on weeknights is minimal and you can more easily stick to your nutrition goals.

4.     Drink more water. Substituting water for high-calorie or high-sugar beverages can help with weight loss and fitness goals. To increase your intake, drink water with, or after, every snack and meal, and keep a bottle of water with you throughout the day. 

5.     Get moving. Walking for short periods of time, several times a day, is a great way to start an exercise regimen. That activity can slowly be increased to 30 to 45 minutes of activity daily. Incorporate strength training to maintain muscle.

6.     Get more sleep. If you are currently getting around six hours of sleep a night, like the average American, just one more hour of sleep a night will help you feel more physically energized, emotionally resilient and mentally clear. 

7.     Get your head in the game. Hypnotherapy has been shown as a valuable component and adjunct to many medical treatments, including weight loss, smoking cessation, and being fit and healthy. BayChoice Bariatric Center’s certified hypnotherapist is experienced in maximizing positive results for our patients through behavioral changes.

8.     Get rid of negativity. If there are people in your life who consistently bring you down, spend less time with them. Cut back on your own negativity, be it about yourself or the world around you. Journaling feelings and participating in support groups can be great sources of strength and positive energy.

9.     Say no. Cut back on the activities in your life that don’t produce tangible results or lead you to success. Keep track of what you spend your time doing for a week. Are you spending an excessive amount of time watching TV, on social media or even volunteering for a board or community organization? Determine your true priorities and stick to them. 

10.  Keep track of your successes. Write down 10 of your strengths on a notecard and keep it with you. If you mess up at work, are dreading a difficult workout or have the urge to grab fast food, take it out to remind yourself of your positive traits and help break bad habits.

If you want to lose weight, stop smoking, live a fit and healthy lifestyle or have other behaviors you want to change, our hypnotherapy programs can help. And if you have unsuccessfully tried diet and exercise to lose weight and are obese or morbidly obese, let us discuss your bariatric surgery options with you. For more information about how BayChoice Bariatric Center can help you take back your life, contact us today at 281-482-5300.