What would you say if I told the world that one of life’s most common challenges is trying to stick to a diet? Sounds crazy, right?! Well, that’s reality. Dieting is a major challenge for many people. When people go on diets, they often experience mood changes and anxiety because their favorite food groups have been taken away from them. This can lead to more dramatic behaviors like overeating or binging! Dynamis is here to help you take charge of your weight loss goals.
Why Is Losing Weight So Hard?
The thing about these struggles with weight loss though isn’t just how difficult eating healthily may seem. It also has to do with something inside of us: stress. Stress tells our body to hold on to what it has and unfortunately that even includes holding on to excess weight.
This is one of the reasons why we often see people who are trying to lose weight, yo-yo diet back and forth. They’ll lose a few pounds, feel great, and then suddenly they stop seeing results. What’s changed? The level of stress in their lives has likely increased, and with it comes the water weight and body fat.
Losing Weight and Dealing with Stress
So, what can we do when faced with the challenge of losing weight? The first step is acknowledging that there will be times when progress stalls, and that’s okay! It doesn’t mean we’re doing something wrong. It is only showing that our bodies are just responding to the stress in our lives. The second step is to find ways to manage that stress. This may look different for everyone, but some ideas include exercise, meditation, spending time in nature, journaling, or talking to a therapist.
It will help if you understand that losing weight is a journey with ups and downs. So, in order to achieve your weight loss goals, you must find ways to manage the stress in your life.
What Does Science Say About Losing Weight?
It is unrealistic to believe that dieting will keep you from experiencing depression again. Start by making small changes to your diet and exercise habits. As a result, you will gradually start losing weight and decrease the possibilities of feeling depressed.
A study at Stanford University found evidence suggesting people who had experienced major depressive disorder (MDD) were at risk of experiencing another, if they lost too much weight suddenly upon entering therapy. However, there’s some good news! You need patience to lose weight at a healthy pace, so that your results will last, and you will continue to feel good about yourself.
The study found that people who took a more gradual approach to weight loss through therapy had a lower chance of experiencing another depressive episode. So, if you’re currently struggling with your weight, know that you’re not alone! There are ways to manage stress and find success in your weight loss journey.
