Weight loss has an emotional side

    The smell of cookies baking in the kitchen at grandma’s house, a turkey roasting in the oven on a Thanksgiving celebration with family or indulging in a pint of ice cream after a bad day are common ways people have a pleasurable connection with food.
    Research has shown a relation between higher body mass indexes and stress, anxiety and depression. Food, just like a drug, or anything satisfying, releases the “feel good” neurotransmitter, dopamine. When the relationship with food is put into the equation of over-indulgence, it is no wonder that only an estimated 8 percent of those who make weight loss a New Year’s resolution are actually able to keep it. A thousand people surveyed by Orlando Health found the biggest barriers to weigh loss being: 31 percent lack of exercise, 26 percent what you eat, 17 percent the cost of a healthy lifestyle and 12 percent the necessary time commitment. Just 1 in 10 felt that psychological well-being was a factor.
    Actually, there are many psychological effects from dieting or food restriction. Limiting calories in the diet may:
    —Induce powerful urges to binge on food (survival mode), while binge eating increases release of serotonin ultimately creating more of this behavior to feel good.
    —Increase more powerful cravings for energy dense foods such as ice cream, chips and chocolate. High-sugar foods offer the body quick energy.
    —Food obsession and preoccupation, taking time and energy away from other things in life.
    —Depression.
    —Anxiety.
    —Social isolation.
    —Apathy.
    —Fatigue.
    —Irritability.
    —Poor concentration.
    —Mood swings.
    —Drop in levels of serotonin (“feel good” chemical).
    —Feelings of shame, guilt or failure when our body is actually trying to protect us through limiting food.
    Consequently, the idea of eating fewer calories alone is not the answer to losing weight. Many factors influence weight loss such as age, genetics, medical and other underlying conditions. Because of all of these factors, start first with the psychological side of body awareness, health and nutrition. Practice small steps to body acceptance and intuitive eating. Once this becomes easier, then more goals can be set. As each goal is met and you start to gain confidence with how you are managing your health, then you will start to see changes in how you feel and your overall health.

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