All of this group activity sounds wonderful, but what about those hours when you are alone? It is essential to recognize that as you undergo the required personal adjustments imposed by the AGB, you will frequently need to be your own support system. To do so, you must first assume responsibility for the process. In other words, make this "your" weight-loss program and take pride in what you're accomplishing and each goal you reach. Additionally, you must be completely truthful with yourself.
I've observed patients who take this self-reliance to the extreme. These are the individuals who devote innumerable hours to researching the AGB on the Internet. Each new piece of information gleaned from cyberspace prompts a modification of their strategy, as they attempt to imitate what someone else claimed worked for them. Ultimately, this strategy generates an entirely new set of justifications. Do not fall for this deception.
Having a written plan outlining your specific goals, strengths, and weaknesses is the most effective method to begin supporting yourself. There are numerous sayings about planning in the business world, such as "Plan your work and work your plan" and "Failing to plan is planning to fail." I believe, however, that "a plan that is not written down is no plan at all" is the most applicable to your weight-loss efforts.
Therefore, document your plan. You must also include the specific strategies you intend to employ to maximize positive aspects of your life and minimize the most challenging circumstances. For instance, if you know you have trouble resisting chocolate, you should include chocolate as a vulnerability in your written plan, along with a strategy to eliminate this temptation by removing it from your home. Similarly, if you own a dog and appreciate the dog's company, note that as a strength and include dog walking in your plan for regular exercise.
As the weeks and months pass, you will need to modify your plan as you discover new strengths and obstacles. You might be able to
Change a vulnerability into a strength can have a significant effect on your psychological development. As you make progress, you may even feel secure sharing your plan and achievements with your friends. Once you reach the stage where you are comfortable sharing your personal achievements with others, you will have also reached a significant level of social development.
Confronting Head Hunger
Head appetite is a common term among those attempting to lose weight. It is a condition in which you believe you are hungry but your body is not actually requesting energy. Another stimulus is causing you to respond with sustenance.
I believe that anxiety is the most prevalent cause of head appetite. When you are anxious, your body activates the same gastrological response as when you are famished. The stomach secretes enzymes, so the sensation is identical to appetite. And starvation is painful. This is further supported by the fact that consuming can alleviate pain; when these enzymes are combined with food, the pain disappears. Thus, you have essentially treated your anxiety with sustenance.
There are multiple treatments for head appetite. By sipping water, for instance, you can dilute the enzymes in your intestines. Another option is to simply wait it out; give yourself 10 minutes before taking any other action, which is the time required for the enzymes to be reabsorbed. You can calm yourself by doing exercises, such as pacing around the block, working out, or stretching right where you are. You can also practice tranquil relaxation techniques, such as slowing your breathing and inhaling and exhaling from your abdomen rather than your chest. Or, you could select a specific area of your body and focus on how it feels, such as the fabric against your skin on your right arm or the way your left foot feels in your shoe. You could also simply convince yourself that the feeling will pass. Or you can consume a small amount of something.
To feel better, consume something nutritious instead of a substantial amount of anything. Limit your intake and observe whether you continue to feel famished.
Being cognizant of oneself and one's emotions is the greatest aid. Personal integrity is essential. If you name it what it is, either stress or anxiety, you open up the possibility of treating it differently. Once you accurately identify the unpleasant sensation, you have access to all of these treatment options for anxiety. And this shift in perspective enables you to make a better choice for yourself.
Seven Strategies for Handling Head Hunger
Obtain a drink of water.
Wait it out (about 10 minutes).
Physical activity-walking, stretching, etc.
Focus your attention on slow, deep inhalation.
Consider how various body segments, such as the clothing on your arm or your left foot in your shoe, feel.
Remind yourself that the sensation of hunger will pass.
Consume a small amount of something nutritious.
Alter Your Daily Routines
Now that you have your own plan, success should be a mere formality, right? Well, maybe. I do not intend to sound negative, but a word of caution is in order. Our culture and personal affairs move at an incredibly rapid rate. The "newness" of AGB surgery rapidly wears off, and you'll realize that nothing has actually changed. The stresses of daily existence continue to exist. Almost everyone has a "to do" list, but we rarely, if ever, manage to complete everything on it. Therefore, out of necessity, we prioritize, focusing on those issues that represent immediate requirements, which are typically our job, our family, or a particular relationship.
However, we have a tendency to put off our inventory of self-improvement tasks. As we've discussed, a number of personal behaviors become largely conditioned responses. The keys to deprogramming your responses are, first, making yourself and your health a priority on your "to do" list, and second, being open to the concept of change. In the following chapter, we will discuss how to implement these lifestyle change principles.
The Lifestyle Alteration
I do not know the key to success, but I do know that attempting to please everyone is the key to failure.
The ultimate justification is, "I'm going to Italy" or "I'm going on a cruise, so please remove the fluid from my band so that I can eat." Does that make any sense for a person who has just undertaken a surgical procedure to aid in weight loss? The reality is that logic is frequently irrelevant. We are creatures of habit who dislike change, especially when the conveniences of our lifestyle are threatened.
Six Factors Influencing Band Success (But Not Intelligence)
Since I had comprehensive data for 83 patients over a two-year period, I decided to use statistics to determine if psychological testing could help us determine who has a greater chance of success with the band. I took the best performers, those in the top half of the group in weight loss, and examined their psychological testing results for common patterns or characteristics. I discovered a six-factor weighed equation that predicted the more successful patients.
First, I would like to note that intellect did not play a role, meaning that there was no significant correlation between the estimated IQ and weight loss. The good news is that you do not need to be a genius to accomplish this.
However, the top performers shared six characteristics, as revealed by the psychological examination. One factor was femaleness. Over the course of two years, women were more consistent losers than males. Women outnumbered males by nearly a three-to-one ratio, which is typical of weight-loss programs in general. Looking at the statistics, I've observed that some of the men appeared to resume their progress in the third year. Upon examining the data, I hypothesize that some of the men experienced a setback, made adjustments, and performed better in their third year.
marital status was the second factor. People who had been separated, divorced, or bereaved performed better than those who had been married their entire lives or never married. This leads me to believe that individuals who have endured significant life adjustments and adversity are better able to meet the demands of the band.
Third, those who admitted to having at least some emotional distress were more successful at losing weight. I compared the data to the notes I took during the individual interviews. Those who appeared invulnerable, who were irritated by psychological testing, and who claimed their only problem was that they ate too much did not perform as well with the band. Those who could discuss their concerns, the majority of which were minor, more effectively lost weight. My belief is that the patients who were more willing to acknowledge their vulnerabilities were more realistic about themselves, more receptive to receiving assistance and advice, and consequently performed better. If you are a paragon of virtue and believe you will conquer the world, you will likely not do as well.
The fourth factor of those who performed well was that they had reduced ego strength scores, indicating that they could admit to having some difficulties coping. This relates to the third factor, the capacity to acknowledge vulnerability.
People with certain psychological test scores indicating less potential for addiction performed better with the band. By compulsive potential, I refer to those who were found to be less prone to addiction. I believe addictive potential can manifest itself in one of two ways. First, there are those who have a strong need for stimulation in their lives, and these individuals typically seek out stimulants like amphetamines.
A second group of individuals sense the need to control negative emotions, particularly depression and anxiety. These individuals may discover, for instance, that narcotics temporarily induces euphoria or that alcohol can dull emotions. Consequently, this group has a propensity to use chemical substances that eliminate negative emotions, which, for a time, leaves them feeling relatively good. Long-term, both of these solutions (either for exhilaration or for controlling emotions) are known to lead to problems. The significance for us, however, is that, when examining band patients, those with less addictive potential were more likely to be weight loss leaders two years later.
The final variable suggested that aggressive, competitive, and more self-centered personalities performed better with the ensemble. In personality clusters, these personality types belong to Cluster B.
Let me clarify. There are three distinct personality groups. Extreme Cluster A individuals are distant, remote, and uninvolved with other people. Cluster B types are aggressive, combative, self-centered Type-A personalities who put themselves first. Cluster C personalities are apprehensive, relationship-focused, and what was formerly known as "neurotic." People with Cluster B tendencies lost weight more successfully, possibly because they were more secure looking out for themselves.
This information is not intended to be definitive. These are merely predictors, which we use to aid band patients achieve greater success. This does not imply that if you possess only some or none of these traits, you will not be successful as a band member.
In conclusion, it is not necessary to be brilliant to succeed in the ensemble. However, it benefits if you have survived a number of difficult situations. It also helps to have a personality that is less prone to addiction. It is beneficial if you can acknowledge that you have problems in your life and perhaps that you have contributed to your weight problem on occasion. Lastly, we discovered that those who are slightly more competitive, self-interested, confident, and aggressive performed better.
Checklist: Characteristics of the AGB's Best Weight Loss Performers over the Past Two Years
Those who performed best with the group included:
In general, women performed better than men, particularly initially.
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Those who had previously endured extreme personal distress, such as divorce or widowhood.
Those who could confess they are currently experiencing emotional distress.
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People who were able to acknowledge they did not always cope well were able to admit they contributed to their obesity.
Those with a reduced likelihood of developing an addiction.
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Individuals who have a tendency toward self-interest and are more competitive.