Are You Sabotaging Yourself On Your Lap Band Journey?

Sometimes, even when we have taken the ultimate action and had weight loss surgery, we can still try to sabotage our weight loss journey. This self sabotage can come in many guises and there are as many reasons for it as there are people who have had Lap Band surgery. One of the most prevalent is not having enough restriction, which allows us to eat more food and either:

a) Slow down our weight loss

b) Stop our weight loss

c) Start to gain weight

So, why would we sabotage ourselves in this way? It's important to remember that everyone will have different reasons for this sabotage. Some of the reasons clients tell us are as follows:

1. Enjoying being able to eat more

2. Using food for comfort rather than fuel

3. Able to eat foods that previously had been difficult

4. Scared to go back to clinic because they may have put on weight

5. Have lost weight and are fearful of losing any more weight

But what really is at the heart of these issues? Well, it's important to ask yourself some searching questions if you find yourself in this situation and even more important to answer them as frankly and honestly as you can:

* Am I afraid to lose weight - what is the fear about?

* Am I sabotaging myself, why?

* How am I enjoying the current situation?

* Are my present circumstances stopping me from reaching my goals?

Let's be honest here, the Lap Band works. If you have reached your optimal restriction, you are choosing healthy foods and are exercising, then you are most likely losing weight.

Your weight staying the same (whilst you are trying to lose weight of course, not in maintenance) or putting on weight are important sign posts. Use these sign posts to trigger some questions:

1. Am I at my optimal level of restriction?

2. Am I making healthy eating choices?

3. Am I moving my body?

If you answer 'no' to any of these questions - take action! Make an appointment to see your fill doctor, think about seeing a dietitian or track your food intake for a few weeks to see if you can determine where the problems might be coming from and also commence an exercise regime - even 15 minutes of walking a day to start with will help you exponentially. Dig in to the reasons why you have not taken action before, you may be surprised by the answer.

In addition, it's important to remember the reasons why you had the surgery in the first place - ask yourself these questions to refocus!

1. Why did I have the weight loss surgery?

2. What did I hope to gain by having the weight loss surgery?

3. What was I hoping to avoid by having the weight loss surgery?

Unfortunately, for most of us, self sabotage is part of the weight loss journey though that doesn't mean that you have give up - on the contrary, it means that you have the chance to break through a barrier within yourself. Face your self-sabotage and your weight loss journey will be a lot easier!