The Identity of Weight Loss

The Importance of Identity in Weight Loss:

In weight loss as in any life change we undertake, the sense of identity with which we define ourselves becomes both the central aspect of what we de-construct and what we re-construct. In this way, the change process itself involves a de-construction of the parts of ourselves that are not moving us in the direction we want to go. These parts represent the barriers that stand in our way every time we want to change something about ourselves. On the other hand, the re-construction of the parts of ourselves involves building on and elaborating the parts of ourselves that are able to move us in the direction we ant to go. Typically we experience these parts as frustration when we fail to make the changes we ant to make. So in the process of change we are always both deconstructing and reconstructing our identity. What this means in terms of weight loss, is that there are ways of being, feeling, and thinking that may no longer be a part of our identity as we lose weight. As we recognize the loss of these things, we may feel temporarily out of sorts, and confused with how to be in the world. Without becoming aware of this dynamic, we may inadvertently resist weight loss, without even really knowing why. Therefore, without making the topic of identity evident and something that we discuss, we may struggle with weight loss. In order to position ourselves as effectively as possible for weight loss, we then need to consider both the things that will no longer be a part of our identity, and the things that will now be a part of our identity. In the process of re-constructing our identity, we may be both building on aspects of ourselves that are already there, as well as adding in new things, that previously have been foreign to us. Again, this process needs to be something that we are both aware of and that is discussable for us. When it is, our identity serves to support our weight loss, and also becomes the foundation from which can generate goals, pursuits, passions, and a sense of purpose. As we know, all of these things are very important parts of weight loss, however, it all begins with the foundation of an identity to support it!

Explaining Successes

Explaining Successes:

When was the last time you accomplished something great and said, “Yeah but….?” When we discount our successes by discrediting ourselves, it is a way of keeping them out of our reach. Essentially, explaining successes to ourselves in ways that fail to acknowledge our part in them, or take credit where it is due, reinforces a pattern of negating our efforts. Each time we reach a goal, we will not allow ourselves to feel as though this accomplishment is part of our character, instead seeing it as somehow outside of ourselves, or unlike us. We may feel as though successes are not something that happens to us, or describes who we are. Clearly, when we feel this way, we will have trouble internalizing our successes, and not see ourselves as successful people. In terms of reaching our goals, this belief will get in our way every time. In order to reach our goals, we have to see ourselves as successful people, especially when it come to weight loss. As we all know, losing weight is not easy, and takes a commitment that outlasts our fears. But in order to be successful at weight loss, we have to see ourselves as successful people. This belief only comes from recognizing our successes as part of ourselves. So the next time you reach a goal, stop and remind yourself that you did this!

Success

Explaining Successes:

When was the last time you accomplished something great? Did you acknowledge your achievement, or did you just brush it of to luck? As it turns out, how we explain successes to ourselves has profound effect on our overall mood, and general feeling of wellbeing. There are three different ways we can explain successes to ourselves: permanent, pervasive, and personal. The first style of explanation, permanent, includes the use of statements such as, “I always try hard”, “I generally do succeed when I commit to something”, or, “I never give up.” Looking at these statements, you might notice a similarity: they all explain the success as a result of something that generally happens, that is, it is not an isolated occurrence. If you used words like this to explain your successes, you probably view successes as long lasting. Essentially, you tend to trust you’re your successes will continue, and allow yourself to experience the benefits that come with this feeling. You also see successes as a permanent feature in your life. On the other hand, if you tend to second guess your successes, and have trouble trusting that they will last, you most likely use words like “sometimes”, “occasionally”, or “once in a while”, are used to describe them. In this sense, the success is not seen as something that is a permanent feature in your life. Each time you experience a success, you may write it off to something other than yourself, and when you do, avoid registering it as any part of yourself. In terms of weight loss, the ability to accept our successes, and see them as long lasting is imperative. When we do, we will continue moving forward with our weight loss goals, trusting that we will be able to maintain this success well into our life. However, if we don’t see our weight loss as long lasting, we are going to sabotage ourselves as we don’t really think our success will last. Of course, when we sabotage ourselves, we make sure our success doesn’t last! So watch what you say to yourself the next time you step on the scale. Is it a permanent explanation? If not, change it. Instead of “I sometimes lose weight”, try, “I always lose weight when I give it my all.”