It’s June, and although the official start to summer might be June
22, the summer solstice, the 80 and 90 degree days in some parts of the
country, and the school graduations have started us thinking about
summer!
When we as women think about summer we also think about weight loss.
You know it is true — unfortunate but true! Weight loss is one of the
cornerstones of my practice so I talk about it every day, because women
always want help with losing weight, especially in the spring and
summer.
The one thing that I have learned is that if you don’t address the emotional side of weight loss you will not lose weight.
As humans, we are emotional beings and it doesn’t matter how many
facts you have about healthy eating, if you don’t recognize when your
emotions are making your eating decisions you will not be successful at
losing weight or keeping it off.
“Understanding and managing the behaviors and emotions related to
weight management is essential to weight loss.” According to a survey
conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center with over
1,300 licensed psychologists.
What are emotional behaviors related to weight loss? Examples are:
- Emotions related to other stressful situations in your life
- Emotions related to maintaining a regular workout
- Emotions about making healthy food choices
- Feeling guilty about poor behavioral choices that cause you to fall off your diet regimen
- Gaining self control over behaviors related to weight loss
How in the world can you manage your emotional behaviors to create
successful and sustainable weight loss? You have to have a weight loss
plan that includes some strategies to manage your emotions. In my
practice I have found successful strategies include a balanced whole
foods diet, education on how much and how often to eat, and mind-body
strategies like:
- Goal-setting before we start the program
- Record-keeping of successes and setbacks during the behavioral learning process
- Therapies to identify and address negative emotions that trigger unhealthy behaviors
- Finding solutions to setbacks and obstacles after (or before they arrive)
- Mindfulness training to reduce judgment and self-punishment for bad behaviors
- Motivational approaches to stay on track with goals
- A supportive accountability partner help keep focused
If you want to lose weight and keep it off this summer, schedule an appointment to learn how my
plan can help you! This effective and easy plan helps you uncover the reason you emotions are sabotaging your weight loss plan. You will see and feel difference and so will your friends and family.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Daemon Jones