As a formerly obese person I will tell you that this quote gets to the heart of the issue.
‘ Dr Denise Ratcliffe, a clinical psychologist...says that many of the people she sees, have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect, for example, which leads to a dysfunctional relationship with food.’
At the end of the day this is about eating habits along with a sedentary lifestyle. The emotional attachment to food is real and is no small thing. Giving up those habits is incredibly hard. Returning to those habits after success is highly likely if the underlying issues aren’t addressed. Emotional and psychological issues that is.
Down 70 pounds from 276 to 206. Took me about nine months and the challenges in the beginning were hard. Regained 35 pounds on 2020. Have taken that back off and am addressing the things that drive old eating habits.
bttt
👍👍
My dad had a bum knee and poor self esteem in many ways. He didn’t eat too much more than he should have, but he had trouble working it off because of his knee problem. (He could swim, and did, but not enough to keep his weight down.) At age 45 he was too proud to go for a knee replacement, not to mention, he probably couldn’t have afforded it because of supporting a family of 8. So that weight just kept adding on. He ended up becoming diabetic because of it. That and a heart condition killed him at a young 73.
Because of his diabetes, I paid attention to my doctor telling me that the best way for me to not do the same thing as Dad was to work on losing weight. I don’t have bum knees, so I can exercise, and do. What I needed was motivation. At one point, I saw a photo of myself, and felt disgusted for what I done to my body. I resolved to work it off. It took me about 18 months to lose 50 pounds, with the help of Rx medicine. Felt great! That was in the Fall of 2018.
Then it started sneaking back on after treatment was stopped. I knew I would gain some back. Within a year, I had gained 10 back. Still felt ok, but somehow couldn’t get my weight to go back down. Always up. Then CoVid came. I started putting the pounds on more quickly than before. In 9 months I put 10 pounds on! Ugh!
So I started trying to diet again sensibly when the New Year started. I’ve been doing something different this time. I’m focusing on not just what I eat, but when I eat, and why I’m eating. I’ve upped my exercise and drink more water. I’m getting better sleep, and learning that stress is a factor, too. I am trying to be my best self. I’ve lost the 10 pounds that I put on during 2020. I’m not stopping either. Plateaus are no fun, but I know I can do this, because I’ve done it before. I want the weight to STAY off this time.
I eat a lot of variety of foods, I am experimenting with all different kinds of things, not limiting myself to one certain diet. When I do have a craving, which is much less common for me now, I “treat” myself as a reward instead of considering it as “cheating”. My attitude towards food is much healthier. I think this time, I’m going to be able to hit my goal and stay there. I believe I can be successful!
Are you a man or woman and what height?
Was at 240 pre pandemic. Now I am at 180. I’m still losing weight. My BMI is still to high.
“Dr Denise Ratcliffe, a clinical psychologist...says that many of the people she sees, have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect, for example, which leads to a dysfunctional relationship with food.’”
People need to grow up and use their rational mind to control their actions.
Thank you for your thoughtful post, best wishes on reaching your goal.
Good for you. Stay with it. Out of curiosity how’d you do this?