The Psychology of Weight Loss
You see the razor-thin models gracing the covers of
magazines...you watch actors and actresses on the big screen who
seem to never gain a pound. And you wonder: How do I differ from
them? You may be surprised to learn that a number of famous
people at one time had difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
But they were able to conquer their problem, thanks to a
new-and-improved, healthy view of eating.
You may not realize it, but there is a certain psychology at
work in successful weight loss. It is no surprise, then, that
the magazine Psychology Today has explored the issue in-depth.
In October of 2004, the magazine posted an article on its
website detailing the experiences of Diane Berry, a nurse
practitioner who studied women who had shed at least 15 pounds
and had maintained their weight loss for an average of seven
years.
The women shared some important things in common. For instance,
they all achieved their weight loss through either Weight
Watchers or TOPS, which meant that they had a firm support
network as they tried to maintain their weight. The group
meetings were highly important, because they learned to
recognize that they were certainly not alone in their struggles
with weight. The women were also quite unusual because up to 90
percent of individuals who have lost weight end up putting it
back on within five years.
Another common trait of these women is that they appeared to
undergo a profound mood shift as they made the transition from
fat to thin. From all indications, they appeared to be depressed
when they were heavy but, as they attempted to lose weight,
their mood brightened.
For these women, healthy eating became a habit--a habit they
refused to break. They themselves recognized the tremendous role
that psychology plays in weight loss. They refused to give in to
negative feelings of frustration and denial and chose a positive
path instead. The women also made it a point to weigh themselves
regularly so that they could chart their progress.
And they recognized that maintaining weight loss would be a
lifetime struggle. They knew that they could not attempt a
weight loss program then put it back on the shelf. They had to
learn new eating patterns that they could continue week in and
week out. In some cases, they likened their struggle to that of
an alcoholic. In other words, they recognized the gravity of
their problem and took steps to correct the situation.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these women's
experiences was the fact that their weight loss actually came in
spurts. At times, they regained their weight, but they did not
let that deter them from their final goal. They simply viewed
their setbacks as challenges that they needed to overcome. This
may be the key psychological trait that separates successful
dieters from unsuccessful ones--perseverance. In essence, these
women were able to change their personalities in a positive way
in order to achieve their long-term weight loss goals.
Another interesting aspect of this study was that it showed
that the women who had undergone weight loss transformation were
genuinely happy. This shows the tremendous psychological impact
that weight loss can have on an individual. Once an individual
is free from the burden of extra weight, he or she is better
able to meet the challenges of life head-on. The dieter benefits
from positive reinforcement, as relatives, friends, and
co-workers congratulate him or her for the weight loss. In this
way, losing weight can be quite a life-affirming experience and
can lead to a more optimistic outlook on life.
It must be noted here that the psychology of weight loss is a
complicated matter. There is no single ingredient that can turn
a fat person into a thin one. However, recognizing that there is
a psychological component to successful weight loss may, in
fact, be half the battle. Once an individual recognizes that he
or she is engaged in a psychological fight, he or she is better
able to do battle. By retraining oneself to seek healthy
approaches to diet, one can, in effect, mold oneself into a new
individual--one that no longer lives to eat, but simply eats to
live.
About the author:
As a Teacher of Sport and Physical Education, Tony Robinson has
a keen interest in Health and Weight Loss issues. For handy
hints and tips for weight loss visit
http://www.weight-loss-arena.com
Written By: Tony Robinson
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