Many of you follow my blog because, like me, you have a long term struggle with your weight. Maybe you are where you want to be now but you haven’t always been like that. Are you looking for support for your weight loss? Or perhaps you dream of shopping anywhere for an outfit and feeling good about yourself? Wherever you are now isn’t necessarily where you will be next week or where you were last week. It is fluid and will change often.
Today I thought I would share with you some tips I have gained along the way to help you get the support you need. The support to not let your weight control your life. I have discovered that the way you view yourself has a big impact on how successful you are at losing weight and keeping it off. Hopefully, as such my experiences will give you some pointers.
Weight support from family and friends
The support of your family and close friends can be a vital tool whilst you address issues with your weight. Whether you are trying to lose weight or trying to stick to healthy ways you have been following for a while an unsupportive person can break you. They probably but not always don’t mean to but inevitably one comment can change your day which changes your week.
Here are some tips to get the best (and avoid the worst) from your family and friends.
Tell them how important this is to you – they don’t know if you don’t tell them.
Involve them in your healthy lifestyle, there is no reason why others can’t eat healthier meals you shouldn’t have to be the odd one out.
Vote with your feet – if they aren’t supportive see less of them, they will soon get the picture that you are serious.
Weight support from medical professionals
Whilst it is easy to feel like your doctor is only there to criticise when they tell you that losing weight could help you this isn’t always the case. They are likely to have your best interests at heart and remember they know a lot more about your conditions than you do so give them the benefit of the doubt. Seeing medical professionals can help more than you realise.
Here are my top tips for getting the best support you can from your medical professionals.
Try to see a GP or family doctor who you know has also had battles with their weight, it isn’t essential but can help you to feel like you can be more open with them.
See your GP or family doctor throughout weight loss especially if you take regular medications. These can be affected by weight and diet changes and you may be surprised at how much weight changes can affect some conditions too.
Ask if there are any referrals they can make to help you. Some areas offer membership to slimming clubs or gyms to help. Other doctors can help by referring you to a nutritionist or if you have a condition that means you struggle to exercise they can refer to physiotherapy or other professionals to help you.
Help in the community
Community support isn’t always about paying for weight loss groups or gym memberships there are so many other options. It isn’t always easy to go to a new group or sign up for something on your own so try not to worry if this is you. There are so many places you can find this sort of support and ways you can start your own so here are some suggestions from me.
If you have children ask their friend’s parents or other school mums if they would be interested in walking with you or trying out a local group. It is always easier to have a friend than do it alone.
Check noticeboards in supermarkets or children’s centres for groups you may like to join. If you don’t feel comfortable with a gym maybe a smaller community group could be perfect.
Do you struggle with your confidence because of your weight issues? Instead of worrying about a health-related group how about tackling that a little first to see if you feel better about yourself and then do more? Making friends and getting out more can help this.
Making friends can make any weight issue easier, check out my post on ways to make friends as an adult to help.
Help with weight issues using CBT or counselling
I have been very open in my blog previously about my depression and that I have had counselling so I can honestly say these have really helped me. Despite losing a lot of weight (over 10 stone) some things related to my weight I had never really addressed. I had focussed on changing my eating styles but not on why I overeat. I think this influenced why I regained weight after a year and a half at my target weight! Now after some CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) I feel in a much better place to deal with things.
CBT can help you to see what core beliefs you have that make you overeat. For example, I sometimes overeat because I think I am a terrible mum. I know this isn’t the case but when I feel I am it is easy to overeat.
Instead of chastising myself for doing this, I have looked at why I think I am a terrible mum. Not the recent incident, like Ben not doing as he is told for example, but the core belief behind it. Essentially where that belief started. By understanding this I feel it helps me to deal with situations rationally rather than turn to food.
Counselling can help you to talk about issues that you struggle with. Perhaps you have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or a history of abuse of some kind which causes you to worry then talking can make all the difference.
Talking therapies such as counselling, CBT etc can be arranged through a referral from your GP or self-referral through many other agencies. Your G.P. is a good place to start if you are not sure who can help point you in the right direction.
Paying for therapy in the UK should be the last option. There are many sources of free support available so do check these out first.
Weight support online
You have probably already thought of this which is how you have come across my blog. Hopefully, you like it and find it supportive. Please do feel free to check out all my recipes and tips because this can help lots. Facebook groups and Instagram accounts can help lots too. Just seeing other people in the same boat can help even if you never interact with anyone else.
Whilst I don’t offer one-to-one support I am always happy to help if I can. My Instagram account may help you with ideas too so click and check that out if you use Instagram hashtags like #healthymumma #slimmingworldfollower and #lifestylenotdiet can help so have a good look around.
Remember most of all that you are not alone and it is OK to struggle with your weight. Don’t be ashamed but be proud that you are facing the difficulties head-on.
Unhealthy foods always taste the best so it is natural we want them. Don’t deprive yourself just be sensible and tackle the long-term issue not berating yourself if you slip up occasionally! Getting the best support for your weight loss can make all the difference.
I have a lot of weight loss guides and support if you want to exercise including if you have a condition like fibromyalgia.
Have a good look around and see how I can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Request my free resources to get you started too!
