In our clinic the desire to lose weight is a commonly stated goal, so how do we work with patients who express the desire for weight loss?
The first question we ask is why? Why do you want to lose weight? When you stop to think about the drive behind your desire to lose weight, the answers might surprise you.
Common answers may include: to fit into my jeans, to look good for an event, because my family/partner/friend told me I should, because I feel lethargic, foggy in the head, because I am trying to get pregnant, because I don’t like the way I look, because I don’t feel good about myself, I feel so bloated.
Many of these complaints are not directly related to weight and losing weight may or may not change them. Losing weight is not the answer to these problems; increasing health is! Promoting overall health is our focus, weight loss may or may not be a side effect of that focus.
What are the healthy behaviors that we focus on?
- Having a balanced plan of physical activity
- Having a balanced plan of feeding the body nutrient dense foods
- Improving stress tolerance
- Limiting exposure to environmental toxins
- Promoting overall body/organ function
- Adequate sleep quantity and quality
If we focus on improving overall health and healthy behaviors, then you should feel much better. And perhaps more accepting of your body. Afterall, what is the perfect weight? It is the one that allows you to have great energy, a positive mood, optimal hormone and organ function, and to just feel good about who you are. The heck with everything else.
PS: We love the book Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. These two registered dietitians teach how to make peace with food and to free yourself from chronic dieting forever. Doesn’t that sound attractive? If so, get yourself a copy of the (kinda sciencey) go-to resource that will allow you to integrate intuitive eating into your everyday life and to feel the freedom that comes with trusting your own inner wisdom, for life.
Take care,
Dr Ann and Dr Emily
