I am sure that many of you (like myself) are thinking ahead to next year. I think of all the New Years” resolutions that I have made in the past which I failed to sustain. How many diets I tried and failed. Let’s face it; when only 3% of those who diet are successful in maintaining their weight loss long term I don’t think the odds were in my favour?

Over the last few years I have chosen to treat January 1st the same as any other day and it has worked out ok. Focussing on being kinder to myself, and being grateful. The last few years, last year especially, have been tough in a personal level and I have ended the year feeling tired. (happy but tired)

So, this got me thinking; How many other people end their year feeling tired, exhausted and overwhelmed and then decide to start the new year on a restrictive and gruelling campaign in a bid to feel better? Why chose January 1st to start depriving yourself of the things that make you feel temporarily better in a bid to change your body shape? Well, we do it because that’s what we are led to believe we should be doing. New Year, New You banded everywhere! The weather is cold, the days are short (although getting longer) so really is this he best time? It’s like a bear coming out of hibernation early when it is supposed to be conserving its energy for the spring.

As someone who spends a lot of time working with clients with eating disorders, many of whom are underweight, you may wonder why I am writing about weight loss. Eating Disorders come in may guises, shapes and sizes, and we can not ignore the fact that if we are in a larger body we are more prone to illness and poor health. So, my reason for sharing this is that if we focus on nourishing our body and meeting its needs weight loss, if needed is the by product. It also can help to prevent disordered eating and eating disorders from manifesting. Not all start with diets and a bid to change body size but those that do can be minimised if a more educated approach to weight loss is practiced.

There is a very good reason why 97% of diets fail. The most significant being that the human body responds to nutritional deprivation and stressful exertion by going into survival mode.  When we restrict our intake to (and I don’t like using calories as a measure as we now know that this is not an effective way of measuring our nutritional intake – one avocado having 250 cals which is the same as two bags of walkers crisps. I know which one carries more nutritional content. Plus, in recent studies done by Prof Tim Spector calories are inaccurately displayed on our food (in some cases up to 400% inaccurate) and each body will process the same amount differently) below what our body needs it will take steps to protect itself. In survival “mode” it will increase the amount of cortisol being produced which will in turn slow our metabolism in a bid to conserve energy. It does this by reducing muscle density and storing lipids (energy) around our middle. So although we may lose weight (muscle and fluids in the first 21 days) whilst we are in a deficit we are stressing the body and brain and it is taking action to prevent the same happening again. This is why, once we stop, the body bounces back to its original size, plus a little bit, just in case we decide that we will deprive it again in the future.

Understanding the impact that stress (mental, physical and digestive) has on our bodies and minds is the key to our success and longevity of better health. In my studies I have gained a far better insight into nutrition and effective ways to support those who wish for change. I am educated on the use of weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery so am able to discuss the pros and cons of both.

So, let’s focus on flooding our bodies and brains with all that is nourishing for them. Fuelling the exhausted body and overwhelmed brain. And you know? when we do this, if we need to lose weight, it just happens. Weight loss will become the side effect of feeling good. When we feel good we are in control and that makes it easier to make the right choices.

So let’s focus on:

Food for nourishment (this means nutritional content and enjoyment)

Getting a good quality sleep (helps to reduce stress and enables better decision making – plus did you know that if you are sleep deprived you are likely to consume a whole extra days food in a week)

Reducing Stress (stress can be digestive, physical and mental) – Doing more of what we enjoy, exercising (but at a level conducive to our current physical ability), meditation, seeing friends, reading a book, digital detox etc

Practicing gratitude, kindness and compassion. Towards our self and others.

Choose 1 or 2 small things to add in each week to make progressive change. Do not deprive yourself or restrict.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is an effective way of supporting positive change for the better. Together we work towards your happier healthier future through planning and gaining a better understanding of what will work long term.  Lasting weight loss is a long term by product of a happier, more energised body. It can often take the body 4 months to change at a physical level. So although we would not need to work together for this time you do need to understand that this is not a “quick fix” but a lasting solution.

If you are interested to find out more please do get in touch for a free initial chat.