Weight Loss – It’s not sheer WILL … IT’s a SKILL

Leading a fitter, healthier life is on everyone’s bucketlist nowadays. However many diets & exercise routines tend to fail.
I have heard many say –
“I have paid the gym membership but I don’t get time.” Or
“I had started a new diet but it’s just so hard to maintain with my social life”.
Maybe you have said “I was doing great until I took a break for 2 days and I haven’t seem to get back on track” OR the classic –
“I will start from MONDAY”

The question here is , when we take up a certain program to achieve a goal …. For example :
I want to loose 10 kgs in 3 months or
I need to fit into that dress in my best friend’s wedding or
I want to cut down on my body fat percentage or
I want to give up on junk food ….
and we don’t achieve that goal, is it really the diet /exercise that didn’t work ??
Nutrition science is very specific – all diets work on the principle of creating a calorie deficit.
Exercise also, will work towards increasing calorie expenditure & build muscle mass to increase BMR.
So if the math is that simple i.e : Weight loss = Calorie Intake < Calorie Expenditure , then why is it so hard to make it work ??
NO – THE FAULT IS NOT IN YOU !
The loophole lies in the approach.
Programs for weight loss, (nutrition or gym) often overlook the individuality of the person. Each person is different and thus we need to see :
  1. What are the physiological changes that have occurred in the body ? i.e – (fat percentage, insulin sensitivity, visceral fat percentage, B.P, thyroid or other metabolic problems, muscle mass)
  2. The body’s tendency for calorie expenditure versus storage
  3. The status of the hunger hormones in the body


These are relatively easy to figure out albeit with a pinch on the pocket
The next step is to assess –
  1.           How have the triggers for  hunger and eating been learnt and become automatic over the years ?
  2.       What are the dysfunctional and self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviours related to diet and exercise ?
  3.         Are there any current/ future stress factors into play ? And what are the ways in which the person copes with them ?
  4.      What are the emotions attached to food/ exercise, cheat meals , not achieving the said goal etc.

Health behaviour modification guided by an expert Health Psychologist is the key to lose weight and more importantly KEEP IT OFF !
A health psychologist will provide you with insight into beliefs and behaviours holding you back through a detailed health behaviour analysis.
Cognitive and Behavioural strategies incorporating food psychology are used to create new, healthier habits , achieving a healthier, happier lifestyle and an improved quality of life.
If you want to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF, don’t just take a diet chart that will remain lying on your table or pay a gym membership that won’t be utilised.
Along with taking steps to change your diet and fitness routine, take an appointment with a CERTIFIED health psychologist !



Mrs Kaehalee Shinde
Health Psychologist and Psychotherapist
MA(Clin Psy), RECBT Albert Ellis Institute - New York, USA, CBC - USA

Director : Peace of Mind - Holistic Health Services
Health Psychologist & Behavioural Medicine Specialist - DOSS
Honorary Health Officer (Counselling) - SRPF Group 2
Clinical Psychotherapist - Symbiosis Centre of Health Care 

Member -
American Psychological Association (Reg No. 47489926)
British Psychological Society

Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists
www.peaceofmind.co.in
7507009464

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