Practising Self-Care to Support Weight Management

 

Studies reveal that about one-third of the global population is overweight or obese. Sadly, as the fast food industry continues to grow, the number of people with weight and health issues continues to increase along with it.

 

Being overweight or obese has never been just a “beauty” issue. Although most people display the tendency to focus on “physical presentation” setbacks such as not being able to look good in certain clothes, the true problem with obesity or being overweight is its impact on health.

 

Medical research reveals that excess weight is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Along with these, respiratory ailments, arthritis, and other conditions related to mobility are directly linked to obesity as well.

 

Therefore, if you aim to keep your weight under control or to lose weight and regain health, it is imperative not just to treat the weight issue, but also to address your lifestyle, emotional and mental health. Thus, practising self-care is considered an effective strategy for weight loss and management.

 

How Does Self-Care Aid in Weight Management

The word self-care automatically has a positive connotation. Therefore, people yield more to the idea of implementing it for the improvement of their quality of life. Also, self-care is all about deliberate practices — meaning people invest their money and take the time to do what is beneficial for them.

 

Self-care is not associated with deprivation, which most weight management strategies are known for.

 

When you say self-care, it involves a variety of methods. For weight management, there are so many that you can consider regularly using that would not feel like too much work.

 

Self-Care Methods for Weight Control

If you wish for a less stressful route for gaining control over your weight, these are some of the self-care methods that you can be consistent with.

1. Eat full meals

This is one of the best self-care strategies to implement. When you have a strong propensity for snacking, deciding to eat full meals instead may decrease your desire to munch in between meals.

 

Opt for multicourse meals, especially if you have the time to prepare them personally. Treat yourself to a small serving of appetizers, a salad, soup, main, and dessert, which will actually feel like a feast. This is one of the reasons why Japanese people are rarely overweight. It’s because they have a full meal that has variation and is served in correct proportions.

 

2. Avail yourself of weight loss treatments

If you have the budget for weight loss treatments, go ahead and get them. These treatments can make the process of getting to your ideal weight so much faster and in a less stressful way.

 

Commit to the program entirely and make the maintenance of the good results a breeze. Everybody could use some extra help, especially if willpower is an issue. With the help of safe and effective devices and professionals, it becomes easier to stick to a weight management initiative.

 

3. Create a rewards system for good choices and achieving goals

To strengthen your commitment to a healthy weight, list down the different rewards you can give yourself for making good choices, and achieving your weight goals. Positive reinforcement is helpful and has long been known to turn smart practices into habits.

 

Some of the self-care rewards to provide yourself with are beautification services. 

 

For instance, if you have managed to lose a couple of kilograms in a week, why not complement your physical improvement with dermatology services to not only have a more radiant complexion but also a youthful appearance? Or shop for new clothes that will fit you nicely.

 

4. Unwind weekly

Give yourself a relaxing treat after a stressful work week and make this a weekly thing. Keeping stress hormones low can decrease the likelihood of emotional eating and even shopping. 

 

Get a massage, a pedicure, go to a fancy brunch with your family or friends, or take a road trip. Weekly relaxation will boost your happiness levels (which may drive you to be more physically active) and give you something to look forward to, particularly when things are not going swimmingly in other aspects of your life.

 

5. Journal

Journaling will not only help you to express your feelings, but it can also provide you with a better understanding of your behavioural patterns and emotions that affect your eating habits or preferences. Reviewing past entries will also help with self-reflection and help you decide on doing what is good for your physical and mental wellbeing.

 

It’s worth mentioning, too, that journaling can be an artistic outlet, which can spark joy in your life. A lot of people actually find that when they are joyful, they are likewise more open to working out and eating sensibly.

 

Do Right By You

Dealing with weight issues is not easy, but taking an optimistic path can help greatly. 

 

By doing right by you and using the concept and practices of self-care as a strategy for weight control, you can achieve your health objectives faster, and be able to sustain results for the long term.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Vandana Luthra founded VLCC in New Delhi, India as a beauty and slimming services centre in 1989. Today, it is widely recognized for its comprehensive portfolio of beauty and wellness products and services and also enjoys a high level of consumer trust. The VLCC Group’s operations currently span 330 locations in over 150 cities and 14 countries across Asia and Africa.