Starting a weight loss program is often seen as a physical challenge marked by counting calories and hitting the gym. But the truth is, weight loss is just as much a mental and emotional challenge as it is a physical one.
Mental health support can play a crucial role in staying motivated, managing stress, and overcoming maladaptive eating habits. By addressing the mental health aspects of weight loss, individuals can become better equipped to cope with setbacks, which can help build resilience and a positive self-image. This holistic approach not only enhances the chances of achieving weight loss goals but also promotes long-term mental well-being and contributes to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Counslr explores this critical connection between the mind and body for overall optimal health with Dr. Matthew Bezzant, founder of Premonition Health, a Counslr partner and holistic health care provider who focuses on affordable comprehensive primary care and weight loss services.
Why Mental Health Support Matters During Weight Loss
“While it seems intuitive, multiple studies have shown a clear link between active mental health issues, like depression, and weight gain. Not only does losing weight tend to improve your mental health, but treating your mental health makes weight loss easier,” Dr. Bezzant explains. “While we would all love our mental health to improve just by wishing it were better, working with trained mental health professionals and physicians can help you look into your feelings and actions and find ways to address the root causes of problematic or self-defeating behaviors.”
Starting therapy and medication, if needed, to improve your mental health can drive meaningful weight loss outcomes. He adds, "Whether you have (or suspect) a mental health condition or if you just want to know if your feelings are normal, we always recommend talking with your doctor or another trusted health professional to help you determine if therapy or medication could be helpful in addition to time-proven lifestyle therapy like exercise.”
Getting Started
While working toward a weight loss goal, it’s important to remember that body image is connected to societal pressure, and past experiences with food or weight can deeply affect your relationship with health. That’s why any approach to physical well-being should also support mental health, body acceptance, and self-compassion. Pursuing overall health and wellness should support your physical goals and your mental and emotional health—not compromise them. Here’s some practical tips to help guide you toward a healthier, more balanced life:
Set clear, realistic goals: Focus on overall health, not just a specific weight, and keep in mind that small, sustainable changes lead to long-term success. Joining an expensive gym may not be in your budget. Calculating calories might be too time consuming for your busy schedule. Instead, consider your personal needs, interests, and ultimate goals. Maybe a daily power walk while listening to a motivational podcast is more your speed. Perhaps taking a dance class, swimming laps at the community pool, or practicing yoga appeals to you. Try weekly meal prep as an efficient way to keep calories and portions in check, and peruse the multitude of online diet management apps for monitoring daily food intake. The more realistic and personalized your goals, the more likely you will find solutions that fit your unique needs and help you achieve success.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep a journal or use apps to track your mental and physical progress. Then, reflect on what's working and what needs adjustment. Remember that you may have setbacks, so practice self-compassion and celebrate progress, even when it’s slow.
Listen to Your Body: Intuitive eating means listening to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues, rather than following restrictive diets. This will help foster a balanced and guilt-free attitude toward food. Similarly, mindful movement means engaging in physical activity that feels enjoyable, rather than something done out of obligation. By focusing on how movement makes you feel rather than just the calories burned, you can develop a sustainable, positive relationship with exercise and overall well-being. Think about activities that you actually like doing and include them in your plan. Try a current fitness trend like Pilates or martial arts, or take a healthy cooking class. The more you enjoy it, the more you’ll stick to it.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out for support. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with supportive friends and family, an online community, or support group can make a difference. You may want to consider working with a coach or mental health professional. Trained professionals can offer encouragement, hold you accountable, and provide personalized tools and insights to help you stay on track and overcome challenges.
Beyond encouragement and accountability, support can also be essential for emotional safety. If your desire to lose weight is tied to feelings of shame, comparison, or the belief that your worth depends on your appearance, a mental health professional can help you navigate those thoughts. Your goals should help you feel stronger and more empowered, not more critical of yourself. “Don’t suffer in silence: reaching out for help is often the difference between reaching your goals and continuing the status quo,” Dr. Bezzant states.
He adds, “Treating your body and your mind well is key to having a happy and healthy life, and there are so many ways that you can do both.” He continues, “If you are struggling to stay motivated, can’t make a plan, or are continually fighting feelings of depression, anxiety, or failure, please reach out for support from a mental health professional and your doctor - we are here to help you succeed.”
Weight loss can be empowering, but it should never come at the cost of your mental health. A sustainable, healthy lifestyle is about balance—physically and mentally. Your worth isn’t defined by your weight. Prioritize your mental health, and the rest will follow.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
Starting a weight loss program is often seen as a physical challenge marked by counting calories and hitting the gym. But the truth is, weight loss is just as much a mental and emotional challenge as it is a physical one.
Mental health support can play a crucial role in staying motivated, managing stress, and overcoming maladaptive eating habits. By addressing the mental health aspects of weight loss, individuals can become better equipped to cope with setbacks, which can help build resilience and a positive self-image. This holistic approach not only enhances the chances of achieving weight loss goals but also promotes long-term mental well-being and contributes to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Counslr explores this critical connection between the mind and body for overall optimal health with Dr. Matthew Bezzant, founder of Premonition Health, a Counslr partner and holistic health care provider who focuses on affordable comprehensive primary care and weight loss services.
Why Mental Health Support Matters During Weight Loss
“While it seems intuitive, multiple studies have shown a clear link between active mental health issues, like depression, and weight gain. Not only does losing weight tend to improve your mental health, but treating your mental health makes weight loss easier,” Dr. Bezzant explains. “While we would all love our mental health to improve just by wishing it were better, working with trained mental health professionals and physicians can help you look into your feelings and actions and find ways to address the root causes of problematic or self-defeating behaviors.”
Starting therapy and medication, if needed, to improve your mental health can drive meaningful weight loss outcomes. He adds, "Whether you have (or suspect) a mental health condition or if you just want to know if your feelings are normal, we always recommend talking with your doctor or another trusted health professional to help you determine if therapy or medication could be helpful in addition to time-proven lifestyle therapy like exercise.”
Getting Started
While working toward a weight loss goal, it’s important to remember that body image is connected to societal pressure, and past experiences with food or weight can deeply affect your relationship with health. That’s why any approach to physical well-being should also support mental health, body acceptance, and self-compassion. Pursuing overall health and wellness should support your physical goals and your mental and emotional health—not compromise them. Here’s some practical tips to help guide you toward a healthier, more balanced life:
Set clear, realistic goals: Focus on overall health, not just a specific weight, and keep in mind that small, sustainable changes lead to long-term success. Joining an expensive gym may not be in your budget. Calculating calories might be too time consuming for your busy schedule. Instead, consider your personal needs, interests, and ultimate goals. Maybe a daily power walk while listening to a motivational podcast is more your speed. Perhaps taking a dance class, swimming laps at the community pool, or practicing yoga appeals to you. Try weekly meal prep as an efficient way to keep calories and portions in check, and peruse the multitude of online diet management apps for monitoring daily food intake. The more realistic and personalized your goals, the more likely you will find solutions that fit your unique needs and help you achieve success.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep a journal or use apps to track your mental and physical progress. Then, reflect on what's working and what needs adjustment. Remember that you may have setbacks, so practice self-compassion and celebrate progress, even when it’s slow.
Listen to Your Body: Intuitive eating means listening to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues, rather than following restrictive diets. This will help foster a balanced and guilt-free attitude toward food. Similarly, mindful movement means engaging in physical activity that feels enjoyable, rather than something done out of obligation. By focusing on how movement makes you feel rather than just the calories burned, you can develop a sustainable, positive relationship with exercise and overall well-being. Think about activities that you actually like doing and include them in your plan. Try a current fitness trend like Pilates or martial arts, or take a healthy cooking class. The more you enjoy it, the more you’ll stick to it.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out for support. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with supportive friends and family, an online community, or support group can make a difference. You may want to consider working with a coach or mental health professional. Trained professionals can offer encouragement, hold you accountable, and provide personalized tools and insights to help you stay on track and overcome challenges.
Beyond encouragement and accountability, support can also be essential for emotional safety. If your desire to lose weight is tied to feelings of shame, comparison, or the belief that your worth depends on your appearance, a mental health professional can help you navigate those thoughts. Your goals should help you feel stronger and more empowered, not more critical of yourself. “Don’t suffer in silence: reaching out for help is often the difference between reaching your goals and continuing the status quo,” Dr. Bezzant states.
He adds, “Treating your body and your mind well is key to having a happy and healthy life, and there are so many ways that you can do both.” He continues, “If you are struggling to stay motivated, can’t make a plan, or are continually fighting feelings of depression, anxiety, or failure, please reach out for support from a mental health professional and your doctor - we are here to help you succeed.”
Weight loss can be empowering, but it should never come at the cost of your mental health. A sustainable, healthy lifestyle is about balance—physically and mentally. Your worth isn’t defined by your weight. Prioritize your mental health, and the rest will follow.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
The Mind - Body Connection
Starting a weight loss program is often seen as a physical challenge marked by counting calories and hitting the gym. But the truth is, weight loss is just as much a mental and emotional challenge as it is a physical one.
Mental health support can play a crucial role in staying motivated, managing stress, and overcoming maladaptive eating habits. By addressing the mental health aspects of weight loss, individuals can become better equipped to cope with setbacks, which can help build resilience and a positive self-image. This holistic approach not only enhances the chances of achieving weight loss goals but also promotes long-term mental well-being and contributes to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Counslr explores this critical connection between the mind and body for overall optimal health with Dr. Matthew Bezzant, founder of Premonition Health, a Counslr partner and holistic health care provider who focuses on affordable comprehensive primary care and weight loss services.
Why Mental Health Support Matters During Weight Loss
“While it seems intuitive, multiple studies have shown a clear link between active mental health issues, like depression, and weight gain. Not only does losing weight tend to improve your mental health, but treating your mental health makes weight loss easier,” Dr. Bezzant explains. “While we would all love our mental health to improve just by wishing it were better, working with trained mental health professionals and physicians can help you look into your feelings and actions and find ways to address the root causes of problematic or self-defeating behaviors.”
Starting therapy and medication, if needed, to improve your mental health can drive meaningful weight loss outcomes. He adds, "Whether you have (or suspect) a mental health condition or if you just want to know if your feelings are normal, we always recommend talking with your doctor or another trusted health professional to help you determine if therapy or medication could be helpful in addition to time-proven lifestyle therapy like exercise.”
Getting Started
While working toward a weight loss goal, it’s important to remember that body image is connected to societal pressure, and past experiences with food or weight can deeply affect your relationship with health. That’s why any approach to physical well-being should also support mental health, body acceptance, and self-compassion. Pursuing overall health and wellness should support your physical goals and your mental and emotional health—not compromise them. Here’s some practical tips to help guide you toward a healthier, more balanced life:
Set clear, realistic goals: Focus on overall health, not just a specific weight, and keep in mind that small, sustainable changes lead to long-term success. Joining an expensive gym may not be in your budget. Calculating calories might be too time consuming for your busy schedule. Instead, consider your personal needs, interests, and ultimate goals. Maybe a daily power walk while listening to a motivational podcast is more your speed. Perhaps taking a dance class, swimming laps at the community pool, or practicing yoga appeals to you. Try weekly meal prep as an efficient way to keep calories and portions in check, and peruse the multitude of online diet management apps for monitoring daily food intake. The more realistic and personalized your goals, the more likely you will find solutions that fit your unique needs and help you achieve success.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep a journal or use apps to track your mental and physical progress. Then, reflect on what's working and what needs adjustment. Remember that you may have setbacks, so practice self-compassion and celebrate progress, even when it’s slow.
Listen to Your Body: Intuitive eating means listening to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues, rather than following restrictive diets. This will help foster a balanced and guilt-free attitude toward food. Similarly, mindful movement means engaging in physical activity that feels enjoyable, rather than something done out of obligation. By focusing on how movement makes you feel rather than just the calories burned, you can develop a sustainable, positive relationship with exercise and overall well-being. Think about activities that you actually like doing and include them in your plan. Try a current fitness trend like Pilates or martial arts, or take a healthy cooking class. The more you enjoy it, the more you’ll stick to it.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out for support. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with supportive friends and family, an online community, or support group can make a difference. You may want to consider working with a coach or mental health professional. Trained professionals can offer encouragement, hold you accountable, and provide personalized tools and insights to help you stay on track and overcome challenges.
Beyond encouragement and accountability, support can also be essential for emotional safety. If your desire to lose weight is tied to feelings of shame, comparison, or the belief that your worth depends on your appearance, a mental health professional can help you navigate those thoughts. Your goals should help you feel stronger and more empowered, not more critical of yourself. “Don’t suffer in silence: reaching out for help is often the difference between reaching your goals and continuing the status quo,” Dr. Bezzant states.
He adds, “Treating your body and your mind well is key to having a happy and healthy life, and there are so many ways that you can do both.” He continues, “If you are struggling to stay motivated, can’t make a plan, or are continually fighting feelings of depression, anxiety, or failure, please reach out for support from a mental health professional and your doctor - we are here to help you succeed.”
Weight loss can be empowering, but it should never come at the cost of your mental health. A sustainable, healthy lifestyle is about balance—physically and mentally. Your worth isn’t defined by your weight. Prioritize your mental health, and the rest will follow.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
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