The emotional side of weight loss

On the outside, weight loss may seem like a purely physical venture. While shedding pounds is the ultimate goal, there is a lot more to getting healthy than just watching the scale. If you've begun your weight-loss journey, you're likely encountering the many feelings that come up. Here's a little guide on what emotions to expect and how to address them:

Excitement
Making the decision to change your lifestyle and work toward a healthier you is very exciting. The beginning of weightloss is full of potential as you consider different programs to try and begin learning ways to feel better about yourself. You'll probably spend your time researching different diets and trying various methods of exercise. These first changes often result in some weight loss, which adds to the excitement. 

Hope
Everyone who tries to lose weight begins with hope. Wishing you felt better physically and had more body confidence morphs into a positive goal that you can actually work toward. Realizing you have the potential to alter your life in a healthy way can fill you with anticipation and joy.

Remember this feeling: It will help you get through times when the scale doesn't change, or you are having a hard day. Hope is one of the greatest motivators for many weight-loss journeys. To use this emotion to your advantage, set goals around losing weight that are more personal. Think about something like, "I want to feel good in a dress during summer wedding season." Or, "I hope to be able to pick up my kids without having back pain because of my weight." While these are related to your end goal, they aren't just about the number on the scale - they are more sentimental. Return to these intentions when you need a boost and you'll feel hopeful again.

Guilt
Guilt is one of the major derailers of a weight-loss plan. If you are following a strict dieting plan, you will be more likely to have this feeling because, let's face it, everyone gets hungry. Diets that include prepackaged meals or calorie counting can be incredibly stressful. They make it difficult, if not impossible, to eat at a restaurant or even enjoy a dish with friends. Plus, you may find yourself really craving something not included in the plan. Eating a cookie or two or indulging in a home-cooked meal should not illicit feelings of guilt and shame. 

The Food Lovers Fat Loss Program doesn't believe in using food avoidance or guilt as motivators for weight loss. These negative feelings make losing weight more difficult. Instead, we teach people how to make good choices with food combinations that allow them to still eat the foods they love. It's much easier to dine out or host a lunch when you can make food and eat without turning to chemical-laden, pre-packaged meals. Plus, our program is much more sustainable because we teach you how to change your lifestyle. You won't feel guilty for enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or some salad dressing because you can eat whatever you want!

It's normal to have days when you don't feel your weight-loss journey is progressing.

Sadness
People who are trying to lose weight don't often 'fess up to the sadness that inevitably occurs at some points. There will be weeks where you see and feel your weight loss. But there are also plateaus when the scale doesn't move despite your best efforts. The important thing here is to know that this is natural. It's OK to be upset that you're not progressing like you want to, but this is a time to return to your goals. Remember why you want to lose weight, not just your optimal number of pounds. Thinking about these objectives will help take away the sadness and replace it with hope and determination, which can keep you on track to weight loss.

Determination
The key to losing weight is often determination. This is what keeps you reading recipe books and learning about fast and slow carbs. Wanting to reach your goals provides motivation to get up early to work out or try healthier foods at a restaurant. If you're concerned you may need a little help along your weight-loss journey, consider asking some friends or family to be your accountability buddies. These people can ask how you're doing and prompt you to keep your intentions in mind when you're having a slow weight-loss week. They don't have to call every day and ask you to explain every meal you've eaten, but they can be there to offer encouragement and remind you why you're trying to lose weight in the first place. In the end, determination is all about you and your reasons for changing to a healthier lifestyle.