The Connection Between Weight Loss and Psychology

There is definitely a connection between weight loss and psychology.

Losing weight can be as much of a psychological challenge as a physical one.

Those who have tried to lose weight know that getting their mind into the game is at least half of the battle.

In general, weight loss and weight gain are related to calorie balance:

• If you consume more calories than you burn (eat more than you exercise off), you are going to gain weight as your body stores the extra calories as fat.
• If, on the other hand, you burn more calories than you consume (exercise off more calories than you eat), you will lose weight as your body begins to use your extra fat stores.

While many people understand this connection between calories and weight loss, many don’t consider that there is also a strong connection between weight loss and psychology.

Just because you know how many calories you need to consume in a day, it doesn’t mean that you can easily stick to it.

Every day on countless occasions we are tempted by foods that are not healthy.

Someone at work brings in doughnuts, or it’s someone’s birthday and everyone is having cake.

You’re rushing from work to your child’s game, and the easiest option is fast food.

When these situations present themselves, you face a battle in your mind over what you know you want to achieve, and what is before you that moment.

Weight loss and psychology also look at our emotions and how they play a huge role in how we eat.

Many people, when under stress or feeling depressed, will turn to food.

It is well known that comfort foods (typically not low in calories or fat) have long been used as a quick fix to make people feel better.

Unfortunately, it is also known that these fixes are:

• Very short lived and
• Can actually make people feel worse in the long run.

It becomes a psychological battle to avoid unhealthy foods when they are right in front of you, as well as to seek alternative ways to fight stress or sadness.

Training your mind to be part of the weight loss fight can be a large part of the battle.

Weight loss and psychology also come into play when you look at the exercise component of weight loss.

Many people, especially those who have not been used to a regular exercise routine, have a hard time feeling motivated to exercise.

They may plan to go for a walk when they get home from work, but by the time they get home they’re tired and really don’t feel like going.

It can be a mental struggle to find the determination to get out there and walk.

For both food and exercise, it may help to consider that it takes three weeks to form a habit.

If you work consistently for three weeks at:

• Turning away from foods that are bad for you.
• Turning toward healthy foods and
• Working toward sticking to your exercise routine, you will find that these actions are becoming habits.

There are things you can do to help you in this endeavor.

Try to avoid situations where you will be tempted with unhealthy foods.

Don’t even have it in the house.

Also try to be sure that you stock healthy foods in your house that you like.

If you hate carrots, you’re never going to want to eat them so don’t even bother to buy them.

If, however, you love cucumber, that would be a great item to have in the house.

If you hate going for walks, but enjoy bike rides, don’t even consider the walk but instead hop on your bike.

Weight loss and psychology is a significant issue to consider when overcoming obesity.

Getting your head into the challenge is half the battle; simply knowing that can help you get on the road to success.

We’re here to help you fight that battle.

Remember, you need four elements present to lose weight over the long term which are included in the tips below.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

Once you understand the connection between weight loss and psychology, you will have mastered the hardest part in the weight loss journey.

So, go ahead. Use the proven tips above to start overcoming you weight issues right now.

I highly recommend it!