Truths About Weight Loss

By Susanna Fall

Registered Nutritional Therapist and Pharmacist

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to lose weight without blinking an eye, yet, in contrast, others struggle to lose even a single kilogram?

Have you ever read about weight loss success stories wondering, “Why is that not me?”.

Have you battled with those extra kilograms year-over-year, only to find that no matter what you do, you simply can’t shed them (and even if you do, it’s not long before they return)?

Have you gained weight over the years, and now, you simply don’t recognise yourself when you look in the mirror?

Are you a yo-yo dieter and are consistently gaining weight?

Well, I have some good news for you. Successfully losing weight and keeping it off is more than hardcore dieting and blind commitment.

First

Firstly, it is essential to destigmatise those who are overweight or obese as lacking the required commitment to lose weight—quite the opposite. In my experience, lack of engagement often stems from repeated failed attempts to achieve and maintain weight loss.

Second

Secondly, setting unachievable goals can be a significant factor in derailing weight loss efforts. Social media often creates unrealistic body expectations, contributing to a cycle of body anxiety. In addition, we are constantly exposed to idealised social media models, which can change our canon of beauty and extend our beauty aspirations beyond the realms of reality.

Therefore, it is crucial to bring our focus back toward personal standards of healthy weight rather than chasing unsustainable media-dictated standards. It is also critical to remember that weight loss can occur at different speeds for different people. While some drop weight quickly (and easily) once they engage in a healthy lifestyle, others slowly release weight. However, this typically comes with greater consistency.

Meanwhile, the third category of individuals shed weight quickly, only to suddenly plateau. The only factor that ultimately matters is that you lose weight safely and healthily and can maintain the results once you reach your desired goal. As crucial as acknowledging success is acknowledging that some barriers can prevent you from achieving your optimal weight.

It will come as little surprise that lack of movement and poor nutrition are often the two principal contributors to weight problems. Still, there are several underlying health conditions that, in certain circumstances, may undermine weight loss.
It is common for people to forget to consider ongoing medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors that might be impacting their weight management.

These include:

• Hormonal imbalances (i.e., thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Sleep apnoea
• Chronic conditions
• Gut issues
• Eating disorders
• Poor mental health
  

Each of the factors listed above could preclude you from achieving your weight goals. Further to these, we must bring into the frame factors such as age, genetics, stress levels and sleep quality – to name but a few.

While these factors may be restrictive, they are not reasons to give up. Instead, they should inspire you to work with a nutrition and lifestyle consultant.

Nutrition and lifestyle consultants can help you focus on achievable aims and uncover issues that may prevent you from realising your weight targets.

Nutrition and lifestyle consultants can help you focus on achievable aims and uncover issues that may prevent you from realising your weight targets.

I frequently work with clients who have become exasperated after years of following unsuccessful, and often faddy, dietary regimes. A complaint I hear regularly is that rather than losing weight as they expect, they have ultimately gained more. Another common issue is that they feel they have lost their connection with their body and that their self-esteem has reached rock bottom. More often than not, this also impacts their social life. In more extreme cases, their drastic dieting has taken a significant toll on their health.

I believe that a diet cannot be followed throughout your life unless it is medically required and undertaken under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. However, it can be possible to make adjustments to your lifestyle to help you effortlessly maintain healthy habits – remembering that a technique that works for one person may not work as well for you. Therefore, if you want to achieve the results you’re looking for, you must be authentic with yourself. Ultimately, in most instances, only an expert can help you realise your unique weight balance and maintenance recipe.

Weight loss is mostly self-care

So, rather than seeking a quick (and easy) solution, I advise that you remain focused on your long-term goals. A nutrition and lifestyle consultant specialised in coaching and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) can significantly improve your chances of doing this. In addition, NLP can provide the support you need to create sustainable healthy habits and integrate small but significant changes into your day-to-day life. Finally, coaching empowers you to become accountable and keeps you on track during your weight management journey.

Conclusion

To conclude, if weight loss is your aim, please consider seeking the help of an expert. A nutrition and lifestyle consultant can direct and support you along your path while providing individualised guidance to help you implement changes in your day-to-day life that will enable you to realise long-term and sustainable improvements.