Making Space for Weight Loss: Declutter after weight loss surgery

Clutter takes up a lot of space in our lives. From the junk drawer in the kitchen to the to-do list in the back of your head, there are all sorts of types of clutter out there, and some of it could interfere with your weight loss progress if you aren’t careful.

There is an old saying that your home is an extension of you. If this is true, then your home is likely in need of some changes after having weight loss surgery. Living in Florida doesn’t come without its stressors, but your home can be your own sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the world around you. To make this happen, however, you need to eliminate the clutter.

Spring Cleaning for a Fresh Start

Declutter after weight loss surgery: It isn’t a coincidence that the season of regrowth and renewal also happens to be the season most closely connected with cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is a long standing tradition. It is a chance to get rid of the dust on the blinds, freshen the comforter and deep clean those carpets that were trampled with muddy sneakers throughout the fall and winter. Freshening your home is a natural extension of the positive energy that springtime brings. As you recommit yourself to your health and wellness goals, it can be a great help to also improve the quality of the space around you.

Here are a few ways to reduce the clutter in your life:

• At home: Empty a room and rearrange the furniture. Rearranging rooms has a way of disrupting hiding places and forcing clutter to find a new home—ideally a permanent home where it belongs.
• In the kitchen: Pantries are overlooked clutter havens. Since you’ve gotten your Lap Band there is likely a lot in your pantry you aren’t eating. Don’t just let it sit there. Donate foods you no longer eat to kitchens that provide for those who need it.
• At work: Clear your workspace of unnecessary clutter. This includes unhealthy snacks and meeting papers from six months ago. File what you need in places where you will find it easily and leave plenty of space on your desk. This can make you feel less crowded at work and might help you manage some work-related stress.

Decluttering your home can become an active reminder of the commitment to wellness that you’ve made by having weight loss surgery. Every time you open that newly cleaned drawer, walk in your front door to find neatly arranged furniture or open your closet to a wardrobe for your smaller size, you can be reminded of the positive changes you’ve been making in your life.