What to do when weight-loss fails

When weight loss fails

You’ve stepped on the scale for the third time this week and still there is no change in the number. In fact, you’re pretty sure you’ve gained a few extra grams. You’ve followed the plan to the letter and trained like a crazy person, surely you should be close to your goal weight already?

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that isn’t going to happen. Here is why you are failing at weight loss.

Setting unrealistic goals

Goals are important for weight loss and for following through with your plan. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve is essential to a successful weight loss plan but so many people end up giving up because they expect instant results. Weight loss takes time, patience and perseverance. You need to commit to the journey if you want to see results and you need to be realistic about your progress as well.

We become overwhelmed when the scale doesn’t budge, which makes us want to throw in the towel. Realise that you have to be committed, focused and patient to see results. They will come and it will be worth it.

Emotional eating

I don’t know about you, but I am an emotional eater. My son recently turned 10 and I was a mommy mess over my baby getting older. All I wanted to do was binge on the chocolate cake I’d got him to celebrate. It took every ounce of will power that I had not to tuck into a giant slice of cake and sob about the pre-teen in my house.

This is a funny example of emotional eating, but the truth is that a lot of us turn to food as a comfort when things get tough. Eating becomes a therapy or coping mechanism rather than a way to nourish our bodies.

When the love of food is being abused, you might need to seek outside help. Emotional eating can become unhealthy and create a downward spiral for those who turn to food as comfort.

Self-loathing

You can’t heal your body if you hate it. So often I have women coming to me who are desperate to get healthy and lose weight, but they are so bitter and angry with themselves that they can’t let go of the past. This self-loathing isn’t a conscious thing either and can be noticed by how often they “make fun” of their flaws.

Much like emotional eating, self-loathing is something that needs to be addressed and you should see a professional to address the underlying problems that there might be.

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