Many people gain weight due to the most common form of mental
illness: depression. According to research, one in three people would
benefit from anti depressant treatment at some stage in their lives.
This doesn't necessarily mean long term but sometimes life throws us a
curve ball that leaves us floundering around in the dark. Depression
influences many aspects of life and weight gain can be one of the first
signs of depression. Many individuals who suffer from depression will
suffer from weight gain also because depression can cause them to find
comfort in eating, especially foods that are high in sugar and fat.
Sugar in particular causes and energy 'high' that provides a temporary
uplift in the emotions.
Weight loss and depression go hand in
hand. Depression can also be experienced during a diet program. This is
frequently due to the dieters expectations of their weight loss program.
Maybe they feel that they are not losing weight as quickly as they want
or perhaps it is due to them not losing the amount of weight they want
to.
Losing weight requires time and a positive attitude. When
trying to lose weight, you should constantly find ways to encourage
yourself. Keep a journal where you record weekly weight loss
achievements, changes in clothing sizes, bust, waist and hip
measurements etc so you can see your progress as it occurs. When you
achieve a major milestone like a drop in clothing size, treat yourself
by going out and purchasing a new pair of jeans or outfit to reward
yourself. This kind of encouragement will help you maintain a positive
mental attitude to losing weight.
Remember that just because one
week you lost four pounds and the next you only lost one doesn't mean
that you can't lose the weight you want to lose. It is perfectly normal
to experience weeks when you lose less weight. Look at the contestants
on biggest loser, even they experience weeks like that. In particular,
women experience this due to hormonal fluctuations. Men experience
similar issues, though not caused by hormones. Things like stress
levels, change in routine, change in diet or type of exercise. All of
these can affect how much weight will be lost in any given week. Whether
you lose one pound a week or seven, just be thankful for the weight
loss as it brings you that much closer to your weight loss goal.
It
is not really difficult to stay positive during while dieting. Always
remember to face one day at a time. Because that is the way time passes.
You can't regret what you didn't do yesterday or stress about what you
will do tomorrow. Just focus on your weight loss efforts for today. If
you fall off the diet wagon one day by gorging yourself on a huge cream
pie or being lazy about exercise, just resolve to try harder the
following day... and do it!
Do everything you can every day to stay on your weight
loss course. Be careful what you eat, exercise regularly (preferably
every day but at least every second day), and always, always encourage
yourself by considering the progress you have made so far.
Make
every pound count. Set realistic goals for yourself and don't try to do
too much in too little time. For example, if you want to lose 100
pounds, don't give yourself a time frame of 12 weeks to lose it... that
would be more than eight pounds weight loss per week which would be
almost impossible to achieve. If you set unrealistic weight loss goals
and don't achieve them, it will make you depressed, possibly even enough
to give up altogether. Better to aim to lose two pounds per week, then
if you lose five pounds in a week you will feel REALLY good about
yourself. If necessary, set low goals initially then increase them as
you find yourself able to accomplish them. The key is to focus on
achievable weight loss goals that will help you maintain a positive
attitude because you are seeing results.
Staying positive isn't
difficult. Focus on what you're doing, encourage yourself with your
achievements, work persistently toward your goals and reward your
milestones. In less time than you think you can be encouraging others
and seeing them achieve their own weight loss goals. Remember, although
weight loss and depression go hand in hand, it is possible to overcome
the issue by focusing on the positives.
Julia Bell is a student of nutrition dedicated to helping people
overcome obesity. Obesity is the number one health issue of the twenty
first century. Learn how to live a healthier life by maintaining healthy
weight and exercise habits through her weight loss blog.
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