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You see the razor-thin models gracing the
covers of magazines...you watch actors and
actresses on the big screen who seem to never
gain a pound. And you wonder: How do I differ
from them? You may be surprised to learn that
a number of famous people at one time had
difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. But
they were able to conquer their problem,
thanks to a new-and-improved, healthy view of
eating.
You may not realize it, but there is a certain
psychology at work in successful weight loss.
It is no surprise, then, that the magazine
Psychology Today has explored the issue
in-depth. In October of 2004, the magazine
posted an article on its website detailing the
experiences of Diane Berry, a nurse
practitioner who studied women who had shed at
least 15 pounds and had maintained their
weight loss for an average of seven years. The
women shared some important things in common.
For instance, they all achieved their weight
loss through either Weight Watchers or TOPS,
which meant that they had a firm support
network as they tried to maintain their
weight. The group meetings were highly
important, because they learned to recognize
that they were certainly not alone in their
struggles with weight. The women were also
quite unusual because up to 90 percent of
individuals who have lost weight end up
putting it back on within five years.
Another common trait of these women is that
they appeared to undergo a profound mood shift
as they made the transition from fat to thin.
From all indications, they appeared to be
depressed when they were heavy but, as they
attempted to lose weight, their mood
brightened. For these women, healthy eating
became a habit--a habit they refused to break.
They themselves recognized the tremendous role
that psychology plays in weight loss. They
refused to give in to negative feelings of
frustration and denial and chose a positive
path instead. The women also made it a point
to weigh themselves regularly so that they
could chart their progress.
And they recognized that maintaining weight
loss would be a lifetime struggle. They knew
that they could not attempt a weight loss
program then put it back on the shelf. They
had to learn new eating patterns that they
could continue week in and week out. In some
cases, they likened their struggle to that of
an alcoholic. In other words, they recognized
the gravity of their problem and took steps to
correct the situation.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these
women's experiences was the fact that their
weight loss actually came in spurts. At times,
they regained their weight, but they did not
let that deter them from their final goal.
They simply viewed their setbacks as
challenges that they needed to overcome. This
may be the key psychological trait that
separates successful dieters from unsuccessful
ones--perseverance. In essence, these women
were able to change their personalities in a
positive way in order to achieve their
long-term weight loss goals.
Another interesting aspect of this study was
that it showed that the women who had
undergone weight loss transformation were
genuinely happy. This shows the tremendous
psychological impact that weight loss can have
on an individual. Once an individual is free
from the burden of extra weight, he or she is
better able to meet the challenges of life
head-on. The dieter benefits from positive
reinforcement, as relatives, friends, and
co-workers congratulate him or her for the
weight loss. In this way, losing weight can be
quite a life-affirming experience and can lead
to a more optimistic outlook on life.
It must be noted here that the psychology of
weight loss is a complicated matter. There is
no single ingredient that can turn a fat
person into a thin one. However, recognizing
that there is a psychological component to
successful weight loss may, in fact, be half
the battle. Once an individual recognizes that
he or she is engaged in a psychological fight,
he or she is better able to do battle. By
retraining oneself to seek healthy approaches
to diet, one can, in effect, mould oneself
into a new individual--one that no longer
lives to eat, but simply eats to live.
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Andersen Counselling &
Advice, Chelmsford, Essex UK.
Andersen Counselling © 2005-2011.
All rights reserved. Created by CWD
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