The Psychology of Weight Loss

There are no two ways about it, weight loss is complex.

While there are many factors that can contribute to lasting and effective weight loss, we believe that first understanding the psychology behind it can truly contribute to your success. In this article, we will take a closer look at the pillars of psychology behind weight loss and ways that you can use them to your benefit.

The 3 Pillars of Psychology Behind Weight Loss

Lasting weight loss begins with your overall mindset. The better you understand the psychology behind weight loss, the sooner you can make the lasting lifestyle changes and adjust your approach for lasting success.

Let’s begin with a closer look at the three pillars of psychology behind weight loss!

1. Stress

Did you know that stress can have a direct impact on your ability to lose and maintain a healthy weight? Stress can manifest in many ways, whether an external stressor such as work or your relationship, or an internal stressor, such as being unhappy with your appearance or the inability to achieve a goal.

When you experience feelings of stress, your cortisol levels will increase. If your cortisol levels remain higher on a day-to-day basis, your fat storage metabolism will also increase, as a response to being in a “survival mode”, so to speak. While in this state, your body will hold onto excess weight and slow down your metabolism, storing extra energy in case they are needed to survive. 

If you live a high-stress lifestyle and want to lose weight, you will need to set and work toward goals to help transfer your body away from an ongoing response to stress, and into a more relaxing state.

2. Pleasure

Pleasure and stress relief go hand-in-hand. This is because feelings of pleasure can help to shift your body from sympathetic nervous system activation to a parasympathetic nervous system activation instead. Once in a state of relaxation, your body is more likely to let go of excess weight and increase your metabolism naturally.

Engaging in healthy and positive physiologic responses can help to promote the creation and release of feel-good endorphins. These endorphins help us to feel happy, relaxed and at ease.

Feelings of pleasure can be triggered and experienced with certain healthy lifestyle changes. For instance, if you enjoy nature around you while on a walk or enjoy a really delicious meal that is full of vitamins and nutrients!

3. Behaviour

When it comes to making a plan for lasting weight loss, behaviour changes are often near the top of the list. Whether it’s drinking more water, going for daily walks or committing to a more structured sleep routine, certain changes can and should be implemented in order to help you lose weight.

The fact of the matter is, the key to making these impactful changes in your behaviour is psychology. If you don’t have a genuine understanding and belief that a certain behaviour can lead to your preferred outcome, you may not be as likely to commit to it long-term and really create that healthy habit.

Your behaviours are truly fundamental to creating healthy habits, after all. Behind each healthy habit is a value, feeling or belief, which can really help to drive your lifestyle changes home. Especially when it comes to your health.

The Connection Between Psychology and Weight Loss

Lifestyle Changes for Success

Have you ever heard that it can take 60 days to create a healthy habit?

While this has been the status quo for a number of years, the truth is that everyone is different and the science behind creating a habit truly does come down to psychology. As mentioned before, you must truly believe that a certain lifestyle change is going to help you achieve your goals. This believe may come from seeing another person succeed with said method or working with a team of professionals who are guiding and cheering you on every step of the way.

At the end of the day, the sooner you take the time to really immerse yourself in the belief behind a well-rounded healthy lifestyle and start working toward creating those lasting healthy habits, the sooner you are likely to achieve your goals.

Everything in Moderation

For many, weight loss can feel like an all-or-nothing approach. No chocolate. No lazy days. No candy. No staying up late. No fast food. 

No, no, no, no!

While this lifestyle surely could result in some weight loss, we have to ask ourselves how enjoyable this lifestyle would be? This approach is very likely to result in feelings of exhaustion, frustration and even burnout.

What psychology has shown us is that an “everything in moderation” approach is often more effective for healthy and long-term weight loss. Rather than not allowing yourself that slice of birthday cake and fixating on baked goods for the following week, which may result in a binge-eating catastrophe or falling off the wagon altogether, we suggest having a smaller slice of said cake and allowing yourself to enjoy it!

There’s nothing wrong with indulging in treats, enjoying a nice dinner out, attending a celebration, or even treating yourself to a lazy day. So long as these behaviours are done in moderation and can be balanced with healthy choices.

Get Excited About Your Health

How likely are you to commit to something, if you don’t feel excited about it?

If you are going away on a luxury vacation, chances are you will be planning, preparing and packing for this trip weeks in advance. This is because the more excited and motivated that you are about something, the more likely you are to commit time to it!

The same can be said for your weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. If you can find excitement in losing weight, feeling great and improving your health, chances are you’re more likely to jump in feet first and really immerse yourself in this new lifestyle.

The good news is that with psychology, this approach can absolutely work to your advantage. One method may be making the changes first, whether you feel excited about them or not. This is where the assistance of a weight loss program can really come in handy, as you will be guided and motivated by a team of experts. 

Once the weight loss begins and you start to notice the difference in how you feel, inside and out, chances are the feelings of excitement following your success will follow!

Dealing with Cravings

Navigating cravings.

This is always easier said than done and a true real-life example of mind over matter. With the right mindset and approach, you can absolutely navigate cravings, but it is not always for the weak of heart. It truly does come down to psychology.

One approach is finding and implementing a healthy, or less unhealthy, substitute for the craving at hand. 

Craving sweets? Try peanut butter and jelly on crackers or a bowl of fruit. 

Craving salty foods? A small bowl of mixed nuts or some popcorn might do the trick.

Craving pop or juice? Chances are you might be thirsty. Have a glass of water or opt for sparkling water instead!

Another approach to navigating cravings is to remind yourself of your motivation and find the excitement in your weight loss. At the end of the day, giving into your cravings is all up to you, but with the right approach and a little mental strength, you can absolutely make a healthier choice that contributes to your weight loss and overall health!

Take a Proactive Approach to Your Health

With the right approach, guidance and support, weight loss is possible. We believe that you are capable of making the lifestyle changes needed for lasting weight loss. No matter how difficult or impossible those changes may seem!

Our team of dedicated weight loss professionals are here to help you gain a new lease on life and truly take your life into your own hands. We can help you adapt to a new way of life and provide you with support as you navigate the toughest challenges.

For more information or help getting started, contact us today!