Love Yourself – For us, February is Love Yourself Month, a time to put yourself first. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary. Your health, happiness, and wellbeing deserve attention. Loving yourself means making choices that support your body and mind. It means looking after your health, feeling good in your skin, and knowing you are worth it.
At Gastric Band Support, we help people take control of their health. Our services aren’t just about weight loss. They’re about confidence, self-care, and creating a lifestyle that supports your goals. Whether you’re at the start of your journey or well into it, now is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and refocus.
Love Yourself by Prioritising Your Health
Your health is your foundation. Without it, everything else becomes harder. If you’ve had bariatric surgery or are considering it, you’ve already made a huge step towards loving yourself. You’ve chosen to improve your health and take control of your future. That decision deserves recognition.
Good health isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about nourishment, movement, and balance. The food you eat fuels your body. It gives you energy, supports healing, and helps you feel your best. Eating well after weight loss surgery is essential. Protein is key. It keeps you full, maintains muscle, and helps your body function properly. Lean meats, fish, eggs, and dairy should be at the centre of your meals. Vegetables add fibre and nutrients, keeping your digestion on track. Small, frequent meals prevent discomfort and ensure your body gets what it needs.
Hydration is just as important. Drinking enough water improves digestion, reduces cravings, and boosts energy. It also helps your skin glow. After surgery, drinking between meals rather than with food prevents discomfort and supports digestion. If you struggle to drink enough, set reminders or keep a bottle with you throughout the day. Small sips add up.
Movement is another act of self-love. Exercise isn’t about punishment. It’s about feeling strong, improving mood, and boosting confidence. It doesn’t have to be intense. A short walk, gentle stretching, or swimming can all make a difference. Moving your body every day, even in small ways, helps maintain weight loss and improves overall wellbeing. The key is to find something you enjoy.
Love Yourself by Looking After Your Mind
Your mental health matters as much as your physical health. Bariatric surgery changes more than your body. It affects how you feel, how others respond to you, and how you view food. It’s normal to experience a mix of emotions. Some days you’ll feel amazing. Other days might be tough. That’s part of the process.
Mindset is everything. Loving yourself means being kind to yourself, especially on difficult days. Negative self-talk won’t help. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Celebrate progress, even if it feels small. Every step forward matters.
Support is essential. You don’t have to do this alone. Whether it’s friends, family, or a professional, having people who understand makes a difference. Gastric Band Support offers a safe space for advice, reassurance, and encouragement. Talking about your journey helps you stay motivated and reminds you that you’re not alone.
Stress management plays a big role in self-care. Stress can trigger emotional eating, impact sleep, and affect mood. Finding ways to manage it is crucial. Meditation, deep breathing, journaling, or simply taking time for yourself can help. Even a few minutes of mindfulness can reduce stress and improve focus.
Love Yourself by Feeling Good in Your Skin
Looking after your body isn’t just about what you eat or how much you weigh. It’s also about feeling confident in your appearance. When you feel good about yourself, you carry yourself differently. Confidence shines through.
Skin health can change after weight loss surgery. Hydration, balanced nutrition, and a good skincare routine help. Loose skin can be a concern for some people. While exercise and hydration improve elasticity, sometimes professional treatments offer additional support. Investing in your skin is another way to show yourself love.
Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s an essential part of wellbeing. It’s about doing things that make you feel good, inside and out. That could be wearing clothes that fit well, getting a haircut, or taking time to relax. Looking after yourself sends a message that you are important.
Love Yourself by Making Yourself a Priority
Life gets busy. Responsibilities pile up. Work, family, and daily demands can leave little time for yourself. But self-care isn’t selfish. If you don’t look after yourself, everything else becomes harder.
Making yourself a priority doesn’t mean ignoring others. It means ensuring you have the energy, health, and mindset to show up as your best self. Setting boundaries is a form of self-love. Saying no when something doesn’t serve you is powerful. Making time for things that bring you joy is just as important as fulfilling responsibilities.
The way you treat yourself sets the tone for how others treat you. If you respect yourself, value your health, and invest in your wellbeing, others will too.
A Few Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Loving yourself doesn’t require drastic changes. Small, consistent actions lead to long-term results. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
- Fuel your body with foods that nourish you. Choose protein, whole foods, and hydration over processed options.
- Move in a way that feels good rather than forcing workouts you hate. Walk, stretch, dance—just move.
Simple steps build momentum. The more you take care of yourself, the better you feel. The better you feel, the easier it is to keep going.
The Best Time to Start Is Now
Love Yourself Month is about recognising your worth. It’s about making choices that serve you, not sabotage you. It’s about treating yourself with kindness, patience, and respect.
At Gastric Band Support, we believe every person deserves to feel good in their body. We provide the tools, advice, and support to help you succeed. But the most important thing? You. Your commitment. Your willingness to show up for yourself.
This is your time. The best version of you is already within reach. Keep going, keep believing, and most importantly, keep loving yourself. You deserve it.
