Ep 79: Movement and Mental Health After WLS with Bailey
This post is a companion to Episode 79 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
This episode started life as an Instagram Live — a conversation so valuable that I brought it into the podcast. I was joined by Bailey, who had VSG in 2020, lost around 100 pounds, and has spent the years since working on what she beautifully calls a "total lifestyle reset." We talked about movement, mental health, and the profound connection between the two.
The Stat That Blew Our Minds
Regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. Bailey shared this research in one of her Instagram posts and it resonated deeply — with me and with so many people in the bariatric community. We talk about movement constantly, but not always in the context of mental health. And yet for so many people after bariatric surgery, the mental health benefits of moving their body are just as significant as the physical ones.
Moving Your Body — Not Just for Weight Loss
Before surgery, many people move their bodies primarily to burn calories. Bailey talks about the shift that happens when you start moving because it makes you feel good — because it manages stress, improves sleep, lifts mood, and connects you to your body in a positive way. That reframe — from punishment to self-care — is transformative. When you enjoy how movement makes you feel, you keep doing it. When you see it as something you have to do to earn food, you eventually stop.
Fluctuation Is Normal
Bailey is open about the fact that she has fluctuated in her weight since reaching maintenance — and she normalises that conversation beautifully. Weight does not stay fixed in maintenance. Life happens. What matters is having the tools, the awareness, and the habits to notice and respond — without shame, without spiralling, and with compassion.
Find Bailey on Instagram — check the show notes for her handle.
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