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!