Weight loss experts have documented and discussed the biochemical challenges involved in losing weight. Calories have been too precious for too long for your body to give them up without a fight. Most approaches to weight loss target the difficulty of fat loss, but when it comes to controlling consumption, the solutions seem to revolve around willpower. You may be advised to buy smaller plates, restrict yourself from eating during certain times, or engage in activities to distract yourself from thoughts about food. What receives much less attention from weight loss experts is the role that your emotions play in your eating habits. The benefits of therapy when trying to lose weight are a little-explored aspect of the quest for one’s ideal weight.
Emotional eating happens. In German, the word “kummerspeck” identifies the weight one gains from emotional overeating. Sometimes, the cause of the emotional stress is clear. If you’ve emptied a pint of ice cream in one sitting right after a breakup, the cause and effect are clear. But emotional overeaters are often responding to emotions that they’ve failed to acknowledge, and might not be aware of until they get a good look at how much they’ve already eaten. One of the benefits of therapy when trying to lose weight is that you’ll identify what emotions are triggering your overeating, and learn to spot them before you’ve gone through half a pan of macaroni and cheese.
Weight loss therapy options include group and individual therapy. With individual therapy, you can delve into issues you might not be ready to handle in even a small group, such as trauma related to eating. In group therapy, you’ll find that the food issues you struggle with are common and that the other members of your group have tried various strategies to manage their eating, some of which might help you. You’ll benefit from the support of those who have been where you are.
The benefits of therapy when trying to lose weight don’t stop at managing eating habits. Learning to identify and manage stress will help you sleep better, which may aid in managing your weight. You may also target issues that prevent you from exercising. With good sleep habits, regular exercise, emotional stability, and a good diet, a weight loss plan that includes therapy will do your whole body good.
