Why is abdominal obesity so dangerous - and what can be done about it?/Walla system
When you start a weight loss process, you set a "target weight" for yourself, or a definition of the number you so long to achieve.
And the first thing you do is first and foremost - weigh yourself.
Why?
Because how will you know if you succeeded in the process if you are not weighed?
The common assumption is that the scale will tell you in the most accurate way possible whether you succeeded or failed in the process.
The problem is that body weight is made up of many variables, and it does not necessarily show you the success or failure of the weight loss process, because the weight does not take into account the fluids stored in the body for various reasons, the time of day you were weighed, hormonal changes in women, an increase in muscle mass and many other reasons including They do not indicate that you have gained weight, but they will make many of you give up on the process.
It is important to understand that the weight is not able to distinguish whether it is the weight of muscle, fat or fluids.
For you, an increase in weight of a kilo is immediately interpreted as an increase in fat and the impact of such an increase on your motivation - often devastating.
We tend to think that weighing gives us a sense of control, but in reality, weighing only takes away from achieving their goals.
Why does weight keep you from achieving your goals?
1. When you start a process of losing weight, you are working on several changes at the same time: a nutritional change (what you eat and when) together with a behavioral change (the form and way of eating) and a mental change (the thoughts that accompany the process you are in).
When you check your progress in the process only by weighing, you actually ignore all those behavioral and mental changes you adopted along the way and focus only on checking the number that the scale shows.
It is important to know that sometimes the weight takes time to change because it depends on the other factors mentioned above.
But in the meantime, you get disappointed and in many cases abandon the weight loss process that progressed really well.
2. A correct and good weight loss process includes small and imperceptible changes, and this, among other things, in order not to make the body panic about the change and regain all the weight that has been lost.
In such a process, the change is slow and it can take time before we see the change on the weight as well.
James Clear, in his book "Seamless Habits", gives an amazing example in which a person improves himself by 1 percent every day (which is a small and really imperceptible change).
But after a year, the same person finds himself with a 37% change (which is definitely noticeable).
3. In the weight loss process, the goal is to lose fat mass and not lose muscle mass.
It is important to understand that fat takes up a lot of volume in the body, but weighs less than, for example, muscle.
Therefore, a decrease caused by fat mass is a very slow decrease, therefore a change and decrease in fat mass will be felt especially in the circumferences and clothes, while in the figures of weight - it is not certain that we will see the change so quickly.
Better without it in the diet.
Weight/ShutterStock
What happens when you are weighed and why does the weighing not advance you in the process?
1. Let's say you followed all the rules you set for yourself, and you are sure that you lost at least 2 kg. But after you stepped on the scale, you realized that the loss was negligible or non-existent. Obviously, you will immediately feel intense frustration and the initial desire will be to compensate for the frustration with fattening and indulgent food.
In another case that you followed all the rules and really lost 2 kg, you are so happy and feel on top of the world, and there - most likely you will allow yourself to indulge in a fattening food that you normally wouldn't allow yourself, because you deserve it.
And besides, you already know exactly what to do to lose weight.
2. In case you didn't really follow the rules and for various reasons you managed to lose weight (can be caused by loss of muscle mass, fluids, etc.) can you conclude from this that the process is correct?
And where will this process take you over time?
Therefore, it is recommended not to consider and examine the progress in another way.
The pants you haven't worn for years, for example, will never lie.
Try to wear a garment that over the years has been too small and tight.
If the feeling is different - you already know the answer.
I, for example, haven't gained weight in years.
80% of the time I eat healthy, take care of myself, and exercise.
I am healthier, fitter, freer and happier than I have been in my entire life, when I let my weight rule me.
Since I stopped weighing myself, I have been meeting my goal of exercising, eating food that tastes good to me and nourishes me, feeling good in body and mind and loving myself.
I don't let the weight decide for me and manage my life.
However, I am very attentive to the sensation, feeling and lightness I feel in my body.
That is why it is recommended to stop chasing the number on the scale.
Start loving yourself just the way you are.
Even if you think you have a few more kilos to lose.
Only when you start loving yourself as you are, right then, will you start investing in yourself.
And part of this investment is to eat healthy and nutritious food that will make you lose weight and be healthier and more vital than ever.
Orli Zeit is a companion for a nutritional change from the head, a therapist in natural medicine, NLP, emotional eating and mindfulness
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