The importance of self compassion on a weight loss journey

By: Ohad Cohen

Society leads us to believe that our weight directly correlates to how much we eat and how much we move. It feels so frustrating to lose weight on a diet only to gain it back a short time later, it’s as if we are failing at something that society tells us works. However, science tells us that there is so much more contributing to a person's weight -- things that are outside of our control, such as as biology, genetics, and environment. It’s important to understand that the ability to lose weight is not correlated to your personal willpower, and your weight is not a simple equation of eat less and move more. Living with excess weight/obesity is a medical condition that requires an educated care team to evaluate and address your personal biologic and environmental blockers to weight loss. You don’t have to solve it on your own. A key tool when beginning a weight loss journey is to show yourself compassion. Recognize that there are influences beyond your immediate control and that sustained weight loss takes time. It’s okay if there is a lot of trial and error when developing a path that works. It’s not a sign of failure when you have to adjust your course of action.

Ways to practice self compassion on your weight loss journey

It’s not your fault that society teaches you to be ashamed because you don’t have enough “willpower” to control what you eat. We know that obesity is a disease and diet and exercise alone don’t always lead to significant weight loss. The societal stigma around excess weight/obesity is unfair and that’s why it’s important to educate people on the scientific causes of weight gain, and work with a medical care team that understands and can treat obesity as a complex chronic disease.

It’s not your fault that supermarkets are full of ultra-processed, ready-to-eat foods that have limited nutritional value and are purposely designed to increase consumption. Studies of supermarket layout show that unhealthy foods and beverages are pushed onto consumers and hinders healthy habits. We live in a society with an abundance of limited nutritional value foods, and it’s important to educate and help individuals develop skills that make healthy eating the easier choice to ultra-processed foods.

It’s not your fault that you’ve tried many times and may not have succeeded or may have lost the weight and gained it all back. Traditional diet plans set you up for short term success. Fad diets come and go but they’re unsustainable. Understanding the root cause(s) and focusing on behavioral changes is a proven method to losing weight and keeping it off; A Form Health care team can help you make these lifestyle modifications that work for YOU, instead of following a cookie cutter plan.

It’s not your fault that biological changes such as aging, pregnancy, menopause and other potential causes might have led to weight gain. Our bodies hormone levels change with aging or pregnancy, and alongside certain lifestyle changes associated with both, sometimes weight gain is inevitable. Working to understand our bodies natural tendencies can greatly help and working alongside a weight management expert will allow you to have a treatment path based on your personal health history. Regardless of the cause of your excess weight,

the journey to a healthy weight is not a straight line. There will be ups and downs, there will be setbacks, and it’s okay to be frustrated when progress is slower than expected, but this is a natural part of the process and not an indication you are doing something wrong

Be patient with yourself. You are trying. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it.
Compliment yourself. You set a goal and are working toward it. Acknowledge each day that you are unique. Don’t compare your journey and your progress with others. Start fresh each day. Just because you indulged in your favorite ice cream the previous night, doesn’t mean you’ve derailed from your path. Stay motivated. Get support from family, friends and your care team. Treat your body well. Don’t starve it. Keep it moving. Remember, small changes lead to big results over time.

At Form Health we fundamentally believe that your weight is based on your biology and not a lack of willpower. And we believe in support, always. That means when things are going well or when the going gets tough, and treating you with respect and compassion. With our evidence-based approach and messaging anytime through the Form Health app, our team brings a new and fresh perspective that may be unexpected from medical professionals.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach which means each weight loss path is personalized for a patient. That’s not all, we are cheerleaders, too. Staying connected with patients, supporting and helping them commit to success and encouraging them all the way. These might seem obvious but are so easy to forget as we go about our day. If you are ready to take the first step in this journey, find out what might be causing your excess weight condition and what you can do about it.