8 Ways You Can Measure Success (Besides the Scale)
Have you ever
felt like you’re on top of the world but then stepped on the scale and felt utterly
defeated? Bariatric patients often lose an impressive amount of weight quickly after their
surgery, especially in the beginning of their weight loss journey. It can become too easy to
get completely obsessed (and become demoralized) over the number reflected back on the
scale. Some might even see it as a failure if they don’t reach a specific number – but this
is far from the truth. The scale is only one measurement of health and progress! Here are 8
other ways you can measure and celebrate your progress besides the scale:
Progress Photos
If you haven’t begun taking photos of yourself now, we recommend that you start! Sometimes the number on the scale won’t reflect the physical changes in your body, but work-in-progress pictures can really help you see the difference. When the number refuses to budge, do a side-by-side comparison with a recent photo. Just seeing the difference your hard work has made will make you forget about the scale!
Decrease in Body Measurements
When you have gastric bypass surgery or other similar bariatric operations, you aren’t just losing pounds – you’re also losing inches on your body. It isn’t unusual to lose body fat but not see the scale shift very much; however, you’ll know that you’ve made progress if you notice that you can fit into smaller spaces that you once struggled with in the past like airplane seats or booths at your favorite restaurant. Take weekly or monthly measurements of your chest, arms, waist, hips, and thighs and keep them in a journal. You might be surprised by what you see!
Change in Clothing Sizes
This is an incredible non-scale victory that can have you feeling like you’re on cloud 9. When your clothes begin to feel looser or you find yourself going from a size 14 to a size 10, you experience a rush of happiness and pride. Knowing that you can begin shopping in clothing stores that you could not in the past and seeing your fashion options open into seemingly endless possibilities is a feeling that no number on the scale can match!
Less or Discontinued Reliance on Medication
There’s nothing more liberating than being able to come off a medication, especially if you’ve had to take it for years. If you find yourself not needing to take insulin or being able to get off medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you can absolutely count that as a huge non-scale victory!
Improved Health
Zero in on your current health condition for a moment. Has your doctor shown you that your blood pressure or A1c has improved? Do you find yourself experiencing lessened joint pain or a greater quality of sleep? Do you no longer need your CPAP machine? Improving your health is such a great measure of success, even if the scale hasn’t been budging! And good news for those wanting to get pregnant – you may see improved fertility as well!
Increased Energy Levels
After you have weight loss surgery, you might feel a bit surprised by how much more energy you have. You might be able to try new activities you were once too tired to try, keep up with your kids more easily, or knock out tasks on your to-do list like a champ. Even if you’re feeling frustrated with the scale, you should absolutely count the seemingly boundless energy you feel as a success!
Greater Mobility
Speaking of having more energy, you should also probably be finding it easier to get around now that you’ve lost weight. Although the scale might remain stubborn, you can find joy in being able to move more freely and participate in events you might not have been able to previously. You can also rejoice in knowing that your hips, knees, and ankles have much less pressure on them when you move!
Improved Self-Esteem
Many people see weight loss as strictly physical, but the truth is that one’s weight loss journey is also heavily a mental game. When you lose weight, you begin feeling more comfortable in your own skin, which can help your self-esteem soar. You often find yourself becoming a happier, more positive person with fewer limitations. No matter what the scale says, this improved quality of life is something to be celebrated!
Let ProCare Health Be Your Biggest Fan
Your health is our top priority, and there’s nothing we love more than watching bariatric patients transform their lives and celebrate their off-scale and on-scale victories! Let us help you stay on the pathway to optimal health with our once-daily multivitamins, which are specifically designed for those who have undergone bariatric surgery. Not sure where to start? We can find the right products for you and your unique health needs. Call us at (877) 822-5808 to learn more or get started today!
