HOW TO MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT
Many people struggle with their weight. And many companies have picked up on this, so you will find there are literally hundreds of products that are produced to address the challenge of controlling people’s weight. It is a billion-dollar industry. But just getting a prescription from a medical practitioner is not the answer to the problem. Why? Well, it’s because losing weight is a multifaceted problem and challenge. It involves a mental, physical, and spiritual approach, or a mind, body, and spirit approach.
The mental aspect which will be addressed first is key. People’s minds have to be reprogramed in order to successfully control their weight and not allow it to get out of control. You have to acknowledge that there are do’s and don’ts and you will have to learn what to do and then incorporate these things into your lives.
One important thing to note is that the majority of medical practitioners and health products provider do not want to address the root of the problem and instead only desire to have you treat the symptoms and keep spending money. They don’t want to get to the root of the problem. They just want you to keep buying their product or service.
So, first, we’re going to discuss the mental aspect -why you think about food and what motivates you to eat. And then second, give you some suggestions on how to stop thinking about food and suggest some healthy exercises you can do that will benefit you. This addresses the physical (or body) facet. Third, we will discuss the spiritual facet of the big picture.
Why You Think About Food– It’s Mental
To reprogram the way you think, you have to understand how the brain works. The brain has two separate but interrelated pathways to regulate hunger and food intake. When one of these is triggered, it causes you to think about food.
- The Homeostatic Pathway-This is the primary mechanism that lets the brain know it needs energy from food. It regulates your appetite and is stimulated when your body experiences a caloric deficiency. Your body needs calories to produce energy and to maintain basic metabolic function.
- Hedonic Pathway- This supplies hunger and thoughts about food even when the body has enough. It may override the Homeostatic pathway and cause food cravings for hyper-palatable foods that are high in fat salt, simple sugars, candies, desserts, and fried foods. These foods trigger sensory receptors in your brain linked to feelings of pleasure and reward. These are triggered by the environment, food availability, thoughts, advertising, stress,
Tips on How to Stop Thinking About Food– Get physical
- Take it easy on yourself-Don’t be too hard on yourself. Know that managing your weight is an ongoing process that you will be doing your whole life. And remember, that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Your progress is better making small to moderate improvements rather than having major highs and lows, ups and downs, losses, and gains which some refer to as having the “Yo-Yo” effect.
- Ask yourself if you are feeling deprived.
- Enjoy healthy meals and snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables. Watch out for high carb foods, and ones with high salt and or sugar content such as starchy processed foods, and pastries.
- Drink enough water—Stay hydrated.
- Identify your patterns and triggers. Keep a journal identifying when you are feeling stressed, bored, feeling emotional, seeing others eat, being around hyper-palatable foods, or talking about foods.
- Learn to let thoughts pass. (And this too shall pass). Learn to take a break, take a walk, drink water, read, work on a hobby, meditate, or journal on how you are doing.
- Consider mindful eating. Eat slowly, remove distractions, like the tv and phone. Pay attention to the colors and textures of the food.
- Get moving! Try to get 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week or 1.5-2.5 hours of vigorous exercise per week. Ideas to try to include moderate dancing, gardening, water exercise, distance swimming, running, or bicycling.
- Know when to ask for help from a trained professional.
The Spiritual Aspect
This aspect of facet is intertwined with the Mind (Mental) and Body (Physical) Approaches. We should look in the mirror and see this marvelous body God gave us. It is most complex organism He has made on this earth and is special in the universe.
CONCLUSION
The Bible tells us that our bodies are a temple for God. So, we should embrace it, nurture it, and honor it. Why? Because that where the Godhead-Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit will reside if we are obedient to God, love Him and honor Him. The Godhead needs a clean, healthy, and undefiled body in which to reside.
Please meditate on that. So, as you maintain your weight, say, “I’m doing this for God.”
If you have any additional thoughts, please share them in the comments below.