This is the transition episode of BariAftercare the Podcast! BariAftercare the program will still be alive and well and YOU can join for a FREE month by emailing me at [email protected]. Do that NOW! THEN listen in as I talk with Laura Preston who, along with Kelsey and our amazing group of peer mentors, has helped make the BariAftercare program what it is! In this episode, you’ll hear how we both started in the bariatric community, how we have worked in this arena for over two decades and where we are headed with BariAftercare going forward! As I mentioned, this is the transition episode. Next week, this same amazing podcast will be called Weight Loss Winformation! We are expanding to encourage everyone who struggles with weight… losing weight and  maintaining weight loss… to gain the valuable information offered in this podcast, focusing on the emotional and psychologal issues, more commonly referred to as the “head stuff” that goes along with losing weight and maintaining weight loss. So come one, come all… who are wanting to get that stubborn weight off and wanting to keep it off… creating the possibility for living a fuller life! Surgical weight loss patients, persons on GLP-1’s, those in medical weight loss programs, people using intermittent fasting or whatever means to lose weight. Living a healthy lifestyle is required to maintain weight loss and THAT requires some new skills. So listen this week, next week, and many weeks to come! Weight Loss Winformation – the Podcast! 

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

Wow! is what I have to say about the great therapy tool I learned from Dr. Joan Brugman while recording this podcast! Dr. Brugman uses Mirror Therapy with her weight loss patients as a tool to help them use “fierce self-compassion” while holding themselves accountable and creating plan to incorporate healthy self-care tools in their weight loss and weight maintenance journey. I promise you I’ll be listening to this episode more than a few times. I hope you will, too! I want to remind you that after next week’s episode of BariAftercare, the Podcast, the name of the podcast will change to Weight Loss Winformation as we broaden our reach to help anyone working to lose weight, whether it’s through a surgical procedure, medications, a medical weight loss program, or whatever works for them! So let your friends and family members know! If you still haven’t joined the full online BariAftercare program, go to the website and sign up! Now – let’s get started with THIS amazing episode! 

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

What Is Mirror Exposure Therapy? And Does It Work? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/201812/what-is-mirror-exposure-therapy-and-does-it-work

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

Theodore Roosevelt called comparison the theif of joy. And all along I thought it was the SCALE that was the theif of joy! Well… I guess it’s all in how you utilize either comparison or the scale that determines whether or not you allow it to steal your joy. Yes – pay attention to those words… whether or not you ALLOW ANYTHING to steal your joy is up to you! It’s that thinking thing again… what we choose to think about is so powerful. But in THIS episode I am talking specifically about comparison, something all humans naturally do. Listen in and gain some tips for using comparison to your benefit and listen for ways to minimize it’s negative impact in your life.

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-of-prime/202307/15-ways-to-stop-self-comparison

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-freedom/201205/are-you-comparison-junkie

The 2 Faces of Social Comparison

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-health-nerd/202409/the-2-faces-of-social-comparison

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/working-through-shame/201909/why-you-should-stop-comparing-yourself-to-everybody-else

Social Comparison Theory https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-comparison-theory#:~:text=Comparisons%20are%20likelier%20to%20make,more%20realistic%20and%20motivating%20comparisons.

We’ve all said it a thousand times when it comes to following through with difficult things and/or things we don’t really want to do… We’ve said what? We’ve said, “That’s easier said than done!” And it’s true in nearly every case… because most things in life are genuinely easier to say than they are to do! Working in the field of weight weight loss, I hear the phrase, “It’s easier said than done” pretty much on a daily basis. In this episode, we’ll look at the importance of realizing when we’re using those words as an excuse. Bottom line? If we choose easy, we’re not likely to get the results we say we want! Let’s get to exploring this topic…

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

Every single one of us is guilty of using some pretty common forms of Stinkin’ Thinkin’ at times. Psychologists use fancier word to describe Stinkin’ Thinkin’… we call them Cognitive Distortions. Thinking Traps are also words to describe negative thoughts because they often leave us feeling TRAPPED on a hamster wheel of negative thoughts that spin out and result in negative feelings and ultimately result in unhealthy behaviors. I had a patient say it much more clearly… she told me, “Negative thoughts result in negative behaviors.” Enough said! Therefore, we need to become aware of the Cognitive Distortions we use most frequently and employ the skills from last week’s episode to change our thoughts and therefore change our behavior. BECAUSE… Healthy thoughts lead to Healthy Behaviors! Let’s get started and face the truth!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

Cognitive Behavior Worksheets:

https://www.mentallyfitpro.com/c/free-therapy-worksheets/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt-worksheets

https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/abc-model-for-rebt

15 Types of Cognitive Distortions/Worksheet

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.connie

Did you know that we recyle something like 90% of our thoughts over and over, day after day AND that about 85% of those recycling thoughts are NEGATIVE thoughts? That’s what some research says! And I happen to believe that… even if we’re not aware of all those automatic negative thoughts on the hamster wheel of our mind. We need to change this to make room for and to create new, healthier neuropathways that keep us engaged in a non-stop loop of more neutral and positive thoughts! You’ve heard the saying… change you thinking, change your life. It's true. In this episode you will learn specific skills for challenging and changing negative thoughts using tried and true cognitive behavior tools. Let’s get going so you can get going on changing that stinkin’ thinkin’!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

Cognitive Behavior Worksheets: https://www.mentallyfitpro.com/c/free-therapy-worksheets/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt-worksheets

https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/abc-model-for-rebt

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

In this week’s episode will teach you skills for ditching self-defeating attitudes and behaviors and for overcoming a victim mentality, which we talked about last week! Learning to be more resilient when setbacks threaten to derail your progress and learning to increase your “I think I can, I think I can” attitude, or self-efficacy, will not only help you prevent emotional eating and avoid self-sabotaging eating behaviors, these skills will assist you in maintaining motivation to accomplish any goal you set for yourself in life! Let’s jump in so you can get started today using the skills of resiliency and self-efficacy to become your very best self AND maintain a healthy weight!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/flourish/201002/if-you-think-you-can-t-think-again-the-sway-self-efficacy

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/live-in-concert/201807/thine-own-self-efficacy-be-true
 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/motivate/202308/this-is-the-belief-that-influences-every-decision-you-make

Understanding Self-Destructive Behavior https://www.healthline.com/health/mentalhealth/self-destructive-behavior#diagnosis

Why Do I Self-Sabotage My Diet?

https://www.redmountainweightloss.com/blog/dr-kim-self-sabotage-controlling-life/?srsltid=AfmBOor-KVrZQul8CrN3LTTINVVxJQhB07kXZe8XT65hY5CiXISpp34n

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/201804/the-psychological-meaning-resilience

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at ww

Now, THAT’s a vague episode title! And it’s vague on purpose! None of us want to admit to … well, our less than healthy behaviors. Yet the truth is, we all engage in behaviors we would be mortified if others were to witness. The topic of this episode describes a type of behavior and mindset I would bet every one of us has engaged in at some points in time. For a percentage of people, this becomes a way of life. Others can see it clearly, but the one entrenched in this is usually oblivious… because they are hurting. Their attitude and behaviors results in continued self-sabotage and pushing others away. Enough of the mysteriousness…. Buckle your seatbelt, open your mind and let’s take a look at this topic. If you’re honest enough to see how this describes you, there are suggestions for pivoting into a healthier, more productive way of dealing. Let’s get started!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies 

Victim Mentality: 10 Ways to Help Clients Conquer Victimhood https://positivepsychology.com/victim-mentality/

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

Do you ever wonder why you do some of the things you do? And also… why you might not do other things you want to do or plan to do? If you’re human…  I’m gonna guess you have wondered those exact same things… maybe on daily basis! Our behaviors are linked to all sorts of things going on in our brains. Listen in as Dr. Joan Brugman helps us better understand the connection between our brains and our behavior!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

There are all sorts of ways people choose to lose weight… surgical weight loss procedures, GLP 1’s, Weight Watchers, Noom, and all sorts of various diets such as the Mediteranian Diet, the KETO diet, or tragically, some version of the cabbage soup diet. Here’s the deal… no matter how a person loses weight, they all experience many of the same things after losing weight… and I’m NOT just talking about physical changes. Yes, clearly there are physical changes but there are also dietary changes, not to mention the NUMEROUS emotional, psychological and relationship changes that happen when someone loses weight. Being aware of, and maybe even prepared for, these changes is important! Listen in and be in the know!

Resources:

BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy   https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

Instagram: @cale101 (Caleshia Haynes)

Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

Dr. Joan Brugman: [email protected]

Dr. Susan Mitchell:

https://www.facebook.com/DrSusanMitchell

https://www.facebook.com/bariatricsurgerystrategies

5 Best Weight Loss Programs to Try in 2025, According to Dietitians https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-weight-loss-programs

Please subscribe to the show and rate it on Apple Podcasts, download free information at www.conniestapletonphd.com, and follow me on Twitter (@cstapletonphd), Instagram (@cstapletonphd), YouTube, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.