Weight Management and Mental Health

If you are like many people, you would probably like to lose a few pounds or even a lot of weight. Maybe you have been trying to accomplish this for months or years and feel let down because your efforts haven’t worked. Being overweight puts us at risk for health problems. Weight management has become an increasing concern for people of all age groups.

Some individuals turn to the media for a quick fix approach to losing weight, which may reflect their thinking and problem solving style. Some people think in all or nothing terms and will attempt to completely change their lifestyle by abruptly overhauling their diet with the intention of losing a lot of weight in a given time frame.

Many people struggle with anxiety, depression, chronic anger, food addiction, body image, and other unresolved issues that decrease the ability to manage stress. Often people use food to avoid feeling emotional pain. These concerns can be successfully treated in therapy to improve self-esteem while learning to address your emotions in an appropriate way, and reinforcing the effort to make healthy food choices. Continuing weight loss/management takes time, effort, and patience with yourself.

Some points to consider:

1. Nurture the important relationships in your life and associate with those who are supportive of your goals.
2. Make one small adjustment in your eating or exercise plan at a time. Mastering one change will lead to increased motivation to make others. Appreciate your accomplishments.
3. Aim for balance in your life between work, family, and other responsibilities. Pursue activities that give you a feeling of purpose.
4. Seek advice from your physician before starting a weight loss/management program.
5. Keep a food diary/feelings journal; studies have shown that this strategy is linked with long-term success.
6. Give yourself permission to enjoy this journey to improved health and wellness.