Mind Over Matter: “How To See Beyond Weight Loss”

Whether you lose weight by dieting, Bariatric surgery, or through some other means, there is a common pitfall that often leads to regaining weight.

People set unrealistic expectations of how their lives will look after they have reached their weight loss goal.  People often think that losing weight will solve all the problems they are experiencing, the “magic wand” mentality, when the truth is that weight loss will only solve those problems directly related to being overweight.

To be clear, weight loss will help with things like, hypertension, diabetes management, and sleep apnea.  Weight loss will not help with debt, relationship issues, or work and emotional stress unrelated to being overweight.  If people believe that weight loss can do more than it can, it sets them up to be disappointed when they achieve their weight loss goal, but still experience the same issues with which they have always struggled. This disappointment can lead to frustration, anger, confusion (“why don’t I feel better?”), and sadness.  Most people will then revert to their old way of managing difficult emotions, i.e., food, and regain all weight they have lost and often, even more.

How can you avoid this common pitfall?

First, ask yourself, “What areas of my life are going well and what areas of my life need improvement?”

Second, ask yourself, “Which of those areas would weight loss improve?”

Third, take a hard look at the areas that remain unaddressed by weight loss, and make sure that you address those life areas, along with your weight loss efforts.

How? While there is no one answer, here are some suggestions:

• Get concrete! Make a list of those areas that you know you want to work on (besides weight loss…remember, you are already doing that) and brainstorm where you can find resources to address them.
• Get support! What kind of support? That depends on what works for YOU!  There are so many options from self-help, individual/group counseling, budgeting classes, 12-step programs, online forums, eating disorder clinics, stress-relaxation training, aggression management, the list could go on and on.
• Make a plan! Instead of feeling overwhelmed, only address one thing at a time.  Break the area you choose to work on into smaller pieces, and take baby steps towards where you want to be.

By taking the above steps, you will drastically reduce the likelihood that, after reaching your weight loss goal, you will fall prey to the pitfall of feeling disappointed.  Instead, you will feel empowered, because you are working your way toward reaching ALL of your goals and finally have the life you want and deserve!

Sharon H. Craddock, Ph.D.
Inova Bariatric Surgery