It is Thanksgiving week and last night I was fortunate to hear a very motivational speaker at my local weight loss surgery support group. The guest speaker is a breast cancer survivor who told her story. What was most outstanding about this speaker was her positive outlook on life and determination to stomp out her cancer. Central to her recovery and perseverance is the theme of shedding herself of negativity and negative persons who surround her.

I heard her message on negativity loud and clear. Negativity is a killer. It can stifle success and put the breaks on progress. As with her recovery and story, I was aware of the power negativity wielded early on in my weight loss journey. “Shed Negativity” is one of those foundational items that is high on my checklist for success.

Inner negativity is that feeling that no matter what you do you have a good chance of failure. If you have battled with obesity, you know this feeling well. How many times have you dieted only to find yourself failing and gaining back the lost weight in the weeks and months following the diet? With these memories in your mind, negativity has a good foothold and can easily grow.

This inner negativity has the power to derail the success of bariatric surgery for weight loss surgery patients. The value of support and counseling in the weight loss surgery community is often underestimated. Putting one in a positive frame of mind and approaching your post-op life in a positive manner assures success.

Outer negativity is the words and actions of people who surround you that deride you and send you the message that despite all of your efforts you will fail. People on weight loss journeys are well aware of these people; the mother who says you are sure to fail, the friend who reminds you of your past failures, and the coworker who shares a weight loss horror story she has heard. As hard as it may be, you need to shed yourself of these people. Sever the ties or distance yourself from them.

As a bariatric patient, I make it a point to surround myself with positive people and rid my life of the negative people. I developed a strong support community in person and on-line. Life as a post-op has its ups and downs. The impact a negative person has during these times can make or break success. They drag you down from your high and drag you even deeper in your low points.

What we focus on, we empower and enlarge. Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of? – Julia Cameron, Blessings

I ask you as you enter this holiday season to focus on the positive and shed yourself of the negative. We each have the power to live a healthier and happier life by living in the positive world. This begins by being aware of the negative side of life and shedding it. Success and happiness may not be guaranteed but is definitely within grasp once that anchor of negativity is cut away.

I am thankful this week for my new life that my weight loss surgery has given me. I am thankful for Jone who had the courage to share her story of regaining control of her life after her diagnosis of a life threatening disease. I am thankful for my health and physical abilities. I am thankful for the positive, supportive family, friends and coworkers I have. I am thankful for those who read my blog and offer me support to continue writing.