When people talk about weight loss, there are certain topics that are simply avoided. Maybe they're uncomfortable discussing them or maybe there just needs to be more awareness.
Many times, the research that people do focuses on the process and not on what happens after the weight is lost. This is a mistake because what you don’t know can hurt you.
4 Weight Loss Obstacles No One Talks About (and how to overcome)
1. It Takes Time To Change Your Self Image
If you've been overweight for a long time, at some point you probably started thinking of yourself as fat. The longer you've done that, the harder it is to change your self-image.
There are a few things you can do to start thinking of yourself in a new way. The first is to hold onto at least one piece of your old clothing and put it on every once in a while. It is one of the best ways to see how much you are changing your body. Taking pictures on a weekly basis is also a good idea. This will help you see your progress more accurately than you would if you fall into a trap of weighing yourself.
2. You'll Have to Live With Your Skin
Our skin is our largest organ. It has an amazing ability to expand as our bodies grow. People develop stretch marks when they gain weight or are pregnant.
The skin of people who are obese can stretch so much that when they lose weight, they're left with excess skin.
Your ability to get rid of excess skin will depend on your genes, your age and other factors. Exercise can help to tighten it up some but is not likely to get rid of all of it.
Some people have surgery to remove this skin once they have finished losing weight. Others look to it with pride as a sign of how much they have changed their lives.
3. Not Everybody Is Going to Be Supportive
No matter what your reason for losing weight, not all of your friends and family will be on board with it.
Some people are more comfortable thinking of you in your old body. Others may be jealous of your success or may define their relationship with you in terms of feeding you. In some cases, your partner may feel threatened.
The best way to respond to unkind or unwelcomed comments is to simply be polite. If you need to, referring to your doctor’s orders can be helpful. For your spouse or partner, take the time to remind them that you are losing weight for yourself but that does not change the way you feel about them.
4. You Have to Work to Maintain Your Loss
The work that you put into releasing weight doesn't stop when you reach your goal. If you return to your old unhealthy habits the weight will come back. This is why I say “release weight” as opposed to “lose weight”… losing something signifies you may want to “find” it again.
To help you maintain your new weight, use the lessons and habits you’ve learned along the way and incorporate them in your life. Doing so will keep you feeling good and looking good.
And are all thes obstacles WORTH it? Absolutely! Shedding unwanted inches will skyrocket your energy and your self esteem. In many cases you are not only adding years to your life but life to your years! I don't think you'll hear of anyne who regrets reaching their fitness goals.
So why share the points in this article?
Being prepared by knowing what you may encounter after you've reached your weight loss goals will help you keep the results you've worked for! AND…keep you OFF of the dangerous yo-yo dieting path.
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. I hope you will share this article with your friends and help me spread the word about these things that few people talk about. I invite you to comment below. Do any of these ring true from your experience?
