Meditation: A Practice to Transform Your WLS Journey

Article By: Whittany Gibson, RDN

Whittany is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who specializes in bariatric nutrition counseling, and owner of Level Up Bariatrics, LLC, a bariatric lifestyle coaching program that provides pre and post-op support for weight loss surgery patients. Learn more on Instagram (@level_up_bariatrics).

Making positive changes after weight loss surgery doesn't only involve diet and exercise. Mindset is arguably the most powerful change to adopt, in addition to creating consistency with new habits. But how do you change your mindset, and where do you begin? One amazing tool that can help you along this journey is meditation. Meditation is not just for yogis and spiritual gurus. It can be a powerful practice for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental well-being. Let’s learn more!

1) First off, what is meditation? It is simply sitting still (or even walking), quieting the mind, and focusing on your breath or a specific mental image. Guided meditations may have you visualize specific things to help retain focus. The practice of meditation has been around for thousands of years and has been proven to have numerous benefits for both the mind and body.

2) What will it do for me? One of the benefits of meditation is that it can help you to make life changes and achieve your goals. By taking time to quiet your mind and focus on your goals, you can gain clarity and motivation to make the lifestyle changes necessary for long-term success. These lifestyle changes could include working on impulse control with foods, adopting consistency with movement and exercise, healing past trauma, gaining a more positive self-image, you name it. It’s all about training the mind. We tend to think our mind controls our behaviors, which is very true, but you can train your mind to do what you desire. Furthermore, meditation also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be a common barrier to making positive changes.

Furthermore, meditation can help improve your overall health. Studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve heart health. It can also help with weight management by reducing stress-induced cravings and promoting healthy eating habits.

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3) Where do I start? It's easy! Find a quiet and comfortable space, set a timer for 5-10 minutes (you can increase the time as you get more comfortable), close your eyes, and focus on your breath or a specific mental image. If your mind wanders, simply return your focus to your breath or image. Alternatively, you can even try walking meditations by listening to a guided meditation or focusing on the present moment and your breathing. It’s also a great idea to find guided meditations on YouTube. Choose a few to try, and add them to a playlist. Finding what works for you might take some time, but there are options for everyone.

Remember, meditation is a practice. It may take time to get the hang of it, and that's okay! The important thing is to make it a regular practice and incorporate it into your daily routine. By doing so, you’ll start to feel the value of meditation and won’t want to go without it. By incorporating meditation into your routine, you can gain clarity, motivation, improved health, and achieve the results you want and need. So take a deep breath and give it a try!

BariMelts provides general recommendations, not to be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor.