Why It’s Time to Measure Your Actions — Not Just Your Results

If you’ve had weight-loss surgery and you’re frustrated by the return of old habits, a creeping scale or the fear that you’re “slipping,” you’re not alone. Almost every woman I coach has felt that same knot-in-the-stomach frustration:

“I’m trying so hard — why don’t I see progress?”
“The scale isn’t moving… maybe I’m failing again.”

It’s an easy trap to fall into, but it's also creates an opportunity to step into one of the most important mindset shifts you can make on your bariatric journey. Because lasting success isn’t about chasing results — it’s about measuring the actions that lead to them.

Let me explain why this shift changes everything.

Results Are the Byproduct, Not the Goal

When you focus on outcomes like weight, clothing size or how much you’ve “lost,” you’re measuring things that are influenced by dozens of variables — many of which are outside of your control. Hormones, hydration, stress, sleep, menstrual cycles medications are just some of the factors that affect the number on the scale.

When that’s your only measure of success, you set yourself up for disappointment. Even if you’re doing everything right, you can feel like you’re failing when the number doesn’t cooperate.

But the truth is this: results are the byproduct, not the goal. The goal is consistent action, because consistent action is what ultimately shapes the results.

Why Actions Matter More Than Outcomes

Actions are the inputs you can control every single day. They’re the building blocks of the lifestyle that keeps your surgery working not just for months or years...but for life. Things like:

• Eating foods that align with your body’s needs

• Practicing daily mindset shifts that reduce self-sabotage

• Creating an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice

• Replacing old patterns with small, sustainable habits

• Showing up for support and accountability instead of isolating

These actions are the real evidence that you’re moving forward, even if the scale is being stubborn. And over time, they compound into powerful, lasting change.

Measuring Actions Builds Motivation and Trust

Here’s the beautiful part: when you start measuring what you do instead of what the scale says, your motivation changes. You shift from “I’m failing” to “I’m blossoming.”

Tracking actions — like how many days you stuck to a commitment, how many times you used a mindset tool or how many meals you ate mindfully — gives you proof that you’re showing up for yourself. And that proof builds self-trust, which is one of the most important predictors of long-term success after surgery.

It also makes the process feel winnable. You can’t always control whether you lose a pound this week, but you can control whether you prep your meals, walk for 20 minutes or check in with your support group. Those are victories worth celebrating.

Little Wins Add Up & They're Worth More Than You Think

I often tell my clients: the small actions you take today are the deposits in your future self’s success account. Each one builds momentum. Each one strengthens a habit. Each one nudges you closer to the version of yourself who doesn’t just maintain results, she lives them.

And here’s the secret: when you consistently measure and celebrate actions, the results eventually take care of themselves. They have to. Because you’re building the lifestyle that makes those results sustainable.

Final Thoughts: Your Journey is Bigger Than a Number

If you’re struggling with old habits or frustrated by regain, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not failing. Your body, your mind and your environment are simply asking for deeper alignment — and that alignment is built one action at a time.

So this week, stop obsessing over outcomes you can’t fully control.

Instead, track the choices, shifts and small steps that are within your control.

And when you do, you’ll not only start building the life you want — you’ll realize you’ve been capable of it all along.