Don't Lose Out to Your Body's Starvation Response

Sticking to lifestyle changes that you can abide by, and not creating artificial momentary changes that you are apt to abandon after a certain amount of time has passed, is essential for permanent weight loss. Recent studies on the psychological well-being of those living with obesity concluded results may be compromised if the participant is concerned about the impact of his or her excess body weight.

In a healthcare study of obese patients, participants recognized that their weight loss plan lacked the cohesiveness to address both physical and mental well-being for people that are trying to lose weight. To promote positive mental well-being for obese and overweight individuals, group sessions are fine but most often do not have the one-on-one contact of a personalized plan.

• Be a Healthy Eater - Once you’ve determined your diet parameters, you can start making portion-controlled meals that streamline your daily consumption of food.
• Move in the Morning - Physical activity is a stress buffer that can help you stay on track and avoid emotional eating by boosting your mood and improving your overall self-esteem. Moreover, it all adds up so you can reach your goal weight sooner.
• Set Small Goals - If you find that you are off track, keep reminding yourself that you need to minimize the damage by getting back on schedule as quickly as you can. So, if you have a bad day, don't use it as an excuse to abandon your menu plan.
• Seek Professional Help - To retrain your mind, do not allow your mental fantasies to include unhealthy foods or bad lifestyle behaviors. You may have numerous food cravings but the goal is to train your mind to let them go.
• What's Holding You Back - Visual feedback is important as it can keep you from eating too much, so measure your food servings and pour snacks into a small bowl or napkin to avoid eating more than you planned.

When it comes to weight loss, most people favor tangible efforts like counting calories and measuring portions. However, the physical aspects often need to take a back seat to mental issues, such as the reasons for overeating in the first place. While the food industry may create an unhealthy supply of salt, sugar and fat in every grocery store from coast-to-coast, the key lies in quieting your stress response center to make it easier to avoid the temptation.

Other important non-diet factors that are key to successful weight loss include getting the right amount of sleep and physical activity to boost your body's fat burning ability. Losing weight is tough but you don't have to abandon your "live healthy" pursuits. You do have to accept that it takes more effort than "simply not eating as much" or you will likely lose out to your body's starvation response.