Losing Weight Threatens Our Sense Of Self
You are not your weight. You are a beautiful person, who just happens to be carrying around a few extra pounds. Who you are will always be fundamentally there, you have just decided that you want to do some exterior decorating.
THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF LOSING WEIGHT
It may sound strange, but many people have become attached to the excess weight. Who they are have become intimately intertwined with the excess weight. You no longer see yourself as Jane (you have become “fat Jane” or “overweight Jane”). If you have struggled with excess weight for a while, this is even more apparent in your day-to-day thoughts and actions.
Jane had a way of living, a certain style; however, in order to successfully lose weight and become healthier, Jane must now completely change (LOSE) “her way of living, being” (or so she thinks, which makes her feel as if she is losing HER SELF).
The plan to lose weight threatens that “self”. Thus, it is not uncommon for the thought of losing weight (or any change) to create internal conflict in many seeking to make healthier lifestyle changes. It may also explain why so many stay in the first two stages of change (precontemplation and contemplation), procrastinate or relapse. “You are not changing you, you are simply changing the unhealthy habits that created the weight gain”.
EMOTIONS THAT DOMINATE AS YOU PONDER WEIGHT LOSS
- creates a sense of loss (even knowing that you will be gaining improved health-the cost may be too great emotionally)
- generates anxiety about whether or not you are equipped or will be equipped for the new reality; and anxiety about whether or not the “risk” is worth it
- produces fear of how you will behave as the “new you” or how others will react to the “new you”
These are just a few of the emotions and challenges you may face as you begin the journey to a healthier self; yet, there are skills that you can develop and tools you can use to overcome these challenges to allow you to successfully achieve weight loss (these tools will follow in a subsequent post scheduled for July 22nd, 2020). Also remember, we are all responsible for creating our emotions and feelings because of the beliefs we have about ourselves and the thoughts we think.
LOSING WEIGHT CAN SEEM DAUNTING: Why?
Losing weight is a process that may require you to address and change several areas of your life (that is why it is a LIFESTYLE change, and not just a change in diet). This process impacts how you eat, think, and behave emotionally, spiritually physically, and even financially going forward. Therefore, please remember to take baby steps when implementing any “new change” and be sure to have adequate support. Also, do not forget to treat yourself with love and compassion and enjoy every stage of the journey.
IN LOSING YOU END UP GAINING HABITS THAT SERVE the GREATer GOOD
- CHANGE INEFFECTIVE THOUGHT PROCESSES– and give yourself more opportunities
- GET RID OF LIMITING BELIEFS – and open your mind to the truth and emotional intelligence
- LOSE UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS – and improve your mental agility, spiritual and physical health
