I first started working one-on-one with women wanting to shed excess weight 6 years ago. I continually see the effects of social media, mainstream media, advertising, pharmaceutical and supplement companies, and other sectors of our economy that all pressure us to aim for body perfection. The historical rise of apps like PhotoShop as well as the newer availability of images generated by artificial intelligence further feed the body-dysmorphia machine by encouraging us, and the men around us, to measure our beauty against fake, computer-generated/computer-modified images. Why, you may ask, as a critic of the cultural push for the ideal body, do I offer lifestyle-mediated and medical weight loss, as well as body contouring services? I’m not opposed to self-care or the desire to be healthier and more fit, and my approach supports these goals. I also view weight loss as a positive secondary effect of optimized wellness rather than as the primary objective.
You see, excess body fat isn’t just an accumulation of unsightly and inert flab. It’s metabolically-active, living tissue. Adipose tissue stores fat-soluble vitamins and toxins, produces hormones that affect other tissues, and releases pro-inflammatory molecules, just to name a few of its functions. When my client is struggling with weight, I listen to her story and look for clues as to WHY her body is building and storing fat. Does she have any other symptoms, like headaches, brain fog, problems with digestion and/or elimination, skin issues? I want to find and guide her in alleviating as many underlying stressors as possible to unburden her body and allow it an opportunity to heal. When we address inflammation at its source(s), the body is less likely to continue building and growing its fat stores and instead will begin to release it. I also coach and support my clients in developing a healthy relationship with their bodies. A previous post in this series provides some additional insights into this process. There’s a saying in the world of therapy and mental health: “What you resist persists.” When we have an adversarial relationship with our body, we actually decrease the potential of that body to heal and move in the direction of optimal wellness.
If you’re struggling with weight gain and want to look and feel better in both mind and body, book your free call so we can get started working together to help you reach your wellness goals. I’m here to help you achieve success and to gain the tools and knowledge that will allow you to experience long-term satisfaction.
