HOW BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS

If there is one key component involved in not only losing weight but also in keeping it off, it would be behavioral counseling  – hands down.

Many people might be surprised to hear this within the context of a medical weight loss plan. But something that seems to be overlooked all too often is how all the seemingly small choices we make daily affect our weight.

Believe it or not, losing weight is easy. It’s keeping it off that’s hard.

Again, this statement often takes people off-guard. Of course, there is no doubt losing weight takes considerable dedication and effort. When people are starting their journey, the last thing they want to think about is the effort it takes to keep the weight off after they reach their goal.

But facing this reality, examining one’s problem behaviors, and learning new ways to approach life are all part of successfully leaving excess weight behind once and for all.

For example, perhaps you know someone who has successfully lost weight multiple times only to return to his or her old ways once the “diet” is over. Slowly but steadily they regain the weight after reaching their goal each time. Maybe that person is even you.

What are the common reasons this happens? It’s likely due to a lack of education about how weight loss and weight maintenance work as well as a lack of self-awareness and introspection. After reaching a weight goal, many people believe they are “done.” So they naturally return to previous behaviors, which may include consuming larger portions of high-calorie, fatty, or sugary foods, and spending more time on the couch instead of taking a brisk walk around the block. It’s even possible that they’re not aware of these types of detrimental behaviors. They could be so ingrained that they are almost invisible. And then, boom! They’re right back to where they started, often in a more challenging position with more weight regained than lost.

That’s where behavioral counseling comes in. Invisible patterns are made visible. They come to the surface, which offers the opportunity to break bad habits and make healthier choices.

For example, let’s take the story of a man in his 50s who lost 200 pounds and kept it off for eight years. Ever since he reached his weight goal, he continued to visit his provider a few times each year to check in on how he was doing and make sure the weight didn’t return. His provider observed that his weight tended to fluctuate by 20 to 30 pounds per year. When weight regain was detected, they would engage in collaborative behavioral counseling to figure out the root causes of the regain and what they might be able to do about it.

The counseling sessions revealed a tight link between his stress levels and weight gain. For instance, when his father entered a nursing home, his weight started going up. His unconscious response to this type of family stress was to consume large portions of dairy products as a source of comfort and self-soothing, something he had often done in the past. At the same time, he let his time walking on a treadmill slip due to “having no time.”

When his provider discussed the link between his stress and these types of detrimental behaviors, a lightbulb went off in his head. He hadn’t been aware of this triggered response to stress, but he could see it clearly after discussing the specifics. By acknowledging it, he could then break that cycle. This helped him immensely in his efforts to maintain the healthy weight he had worked so hard to achieve.

Remember, obesity is a complex disease process, not a sign of weakness or insecurity. Learning about yourself, what works for you, and what works against you, is a big part of managing any disease.