Losing weight is more than the simple explanation of calories in, calories out. If you want to lose weight, you first have to take a look at why you have the extra weight and how it is benefiting you.
If simply eating less calories than you expend worked, almost anyone on a diet would lose weight. Sometimes it does work and you do lose weight. But if you are like 95% of all dieters, the weight comes back, and usually more than when you started. Diets don’t address emotional overeating which is a major reason why people gain weight and why they can’t lose it.
If you find this is true for you, it may be time to ask yourself a question: “What is this extra weight doing for me?” This may seem like a ridiculous question at first, because you say you want to lose weight. But if you really think about it, despite all your efforts to lose weight that should work, something is keeping it from actually happening.
Finding the answer to this question may be uncomfortable. Often the answer is something you don’t want to admit or bring consciousness to. One of the more common reasons is because of past abuse. Extra weight is like a shield or a fence that keeps others out so they cannot hurt you. By understanding this, you can take action to heal (therapy, for example) and work through the issues that are holding you back from living completely.
For others, the reason may not be so deep or intense. Sometimes the weight provides you something that you can use as a distraction to avoid dealing with something else. The weight allows you to be unhappy about being overweight, instead of dealing with the real problem, which may be a relationship, career, or numerous other reasons.
Among other common reasons include not wanting to date, wanting to be part of a group of friends (what would you talk about if you didn’t have your body to complain about?), having the weight to use as an excuse for not taking on new challenges (when fear is really the reason), or perhaps you grew up being told you come from a family of overweight people and that is your fate – in other words, fulfilling a destiny that may not have been inevitable.
By bringing the answer of what the weight is doing for you to your consciousness, you can then deal with it or dismiss it to allow the weight loss to begin. The next time you feel compelled to go on a diet, take some time to look inward instead. You may just find true success this time.
Posted on Oct 9th 06 by Gillian Hood-Gabrielson.
Gillian Hood-Gabrielson is an intuitive eating and fitness coach specializing in overcoming overeating. She has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years, holds a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology and is certified by ACSM and Wellcoaches. Having overcome emotional overeating after living with it for 25 years, Gillian has a great understanding of why so many people battle this disorder and has a passion for helping others overcome it so they can live their lives fully. http://www.healthieroutcomes.com
Other posts on Coachamatic by Gillian Hood-Gabrielson.
0 Responses to “What’s Your Weight Doing for You?”