Bariatric Support
Course Overview
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A path from assessment to coaching — follow the tabs in order for the full ProgressTracks journey.
A changed body works best with a mind prepared for change.
Prepare psychologically and behaviorally for a major life transition by examining expectations, beliefs, fear, motivation, perfectionism, shame, and the mental patterns that influence long-term change.
- Develop realistic expectations about bariatric surgery and life afterward.
- Recognize unhelpful all-or-nothing thinking, perfectionism, and shame.
- Strengthen commitment beyond temporary motivation.
- Practice constructive self-talk and mental rehearsal.
- Build a support and preparation plan.
Explore hopes and assumptions about surgery, weight change, health, confidence, relationships, eating, and life after surgery.
- Realistic expectations
- Unrealistic expectations
- Health versus appearance
- Relationships
- Emotional adjustment
- Long-term work
Planned lesson · Coming soon
Recognize perfectionism, shame, harsh self-judgment, and the belief that one difficult choice means the entire plan has failed.
- Perfectionism
- All-or-nothing thinking
- Shame
- Self-talk
- Progress over perfection
- Returning quickly after a difficult choice
Planned lesson · Coming soon
Learn how values, planning, routines, support, and small actions can sustain progress when motivation is low.
- Motivation
- Commitment
- Values
- Planning
- Small actions
- Support
Planned lesson · Coming soon
Your body may change faster than your inner picture of yourself.
Explore how significant physical change can affect body image, identity, confidence, relationships, intimacy, clothing, attention from others, and the way you see yourself.
- Understand why body image may lag behind physical change.
- Separate personal worth from body weight and appearance.
- Navigate compliments, attention, loose skin, clothing, and other appearance-related experiences.
- Recognize changing relationship and identity dynamics.
- Develop a values-based sense of who you are becoming.
Explore why significant physical change may not immediately change how you see or experience yourself.
- Internal body image
- Old identity
- Adjustment takes time
- Mirror and clothing experiences
- Self-awareness
- Patience
Planned lesson · Coming soon
Develop a more stable sense of worth based on character, relationships, values, contribution, growth, and how you live rather than body size.
- Self-worth
- Identity
- Values
- Character
- Relationships
- Contribution
Planned lesson · Coming soon
If food helped you cope, lasting change requires additional ways to care for yourself.
Expand your coping toolbox so difficult emotions and life experiences do not automatically lead back to old eating patterns or other harmful behaviors.
- Recognize emotional states that commonly trigger old coping patterns.
- Develop multiple healthy coping options.
- Practice emotional regulation and stress-management skills.
- Strengthen relationships and willingness to seek support.
- Recognize when professional behavioral-health care is needed.
Explore whether eating has helped soothe, distract, reward, numb, celebrate, connect, avoid, or manage difficult experiences.
- Soothing
- Distraction
- Reward
- Numbing
- Celebration
- Connection
- Avoidance
Planned lesson · Coming soon
Develop multiple ways to respond to stress, anxiety, loneliness, anger, boredom, grief, fatigue, and difficult emotions.
- Emotional regulation
- Connection
- Mindfulness
- Movement
- Rest
- Journaling
- Meaningful activity
- Professional support
Planned lesson · Coming soon
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