Counseling has been used to help a large variety of issues people may face. But did you know that counseling can also help with weight loss?
When someone wants to lose weight, there are many things going on inside of them. They may have low self-esteem issues stemming from their weight gain, issues of self-control, lack of motivation or other mental barriers to losing weight. They may also need support from others who understand what they’re dealing with. Whatever the reason, counseling can provide all kinds of benefits. If you’re looking to achieve a healthy weight, then you should definitely consider counseling.
In this article, we will discuss why counseling helps with weight loss and how it works. We will look at some common reasons why people seek out counseling when they want to lose weight. Then we will talk about what types of counselors are available and which ones might be best suited to your needs.
How Can Counseling Help You Lose Weight?
There are many reasons why counseling can help achieve a healthy weight. The most obvious reason is because it helps you identify your problem areas so that you can address them effectively. For example, if you struggle with overeating due to emotional distress, then counseling could provide you with tools to manage those emotions better. If you feel depressed, and overeat as a result of that depression, then counseling could teach you ways to overcome these feelings.
Another benefit of counseling is that it teaches you new skills. When you go into therapy, you meet with a professional who listens carefully to what you say and asks questions to find out more information. As a result, you gain insight into yourself and become aware of things you didn’t realize were important.
Finally, counseling provides structure and accountability. By setting up regular meetings with a counselor, you create a schedule that forces you to stick to healthy habits. Plus, having someone else watching over you makes it easier to stay motivated to achieve your health goals.
What Are Some Common Problems People Have That Need To Be Addressed Through Therapy?
When you think about all the common problems that people face today, it becomes clear just how helpful counseling can be. Here are some examples:
Depression – Depression affects nearly one-third of Americans at any given point in time. But according to recent research, only half of those suffering from depression receive treatment. One way to improve outcomes is by getting help early. A good place to start would be to talk to your doctor about whether he/she thinks you might be experiencing symptoms of clinical depression.
Anxiety – Anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million American adults every year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety disorders. However, studies show that less than 50% seek treatment. So if you suspect you might be struggling with anxiety, don’t wait until it gets worse before seeking help. Instead, speak to your primary care physician and ask him/her to refer you to a psychiatrist.
Relationship Issues – Relationship difficulties often lead to unhealthy behaviors including substance abuse, poor diet choices, lack of exercise, etc. In fact, relationship issues account for almost 30% of visits to psychologists and counselors. This means there is an opportunity to make positive changes in this area through counseling.
Stress Management – Stress management has been shown to have significant benefits on overall well-being. It reduces stress levels, improves sleep quality, increases energy, decreases pain, and even boosts immune function. All of which contribute to improved physical and psychological functioning.
Addiction – Addiction is not solely defined by using illicit narcotics, there are other forms of addiction that can stand in the way of your goals. Addiction can take many forms, such as sexual addiction, technology addiction, food addiction and many other behavioral patterns that affect people’s lives. Either way, counseling can play a role in helping individuals recover from addictions, and thus clear these barriers to your weight loss journey.
Contact Treasure Valley Metabolic Medicine to Start Your Healthy Lifestyle
Achieving a healthy body mass is an important goal to have and sometimes we all need help achieving that goal. That’s why our staff are fully dedicated to help not only with your diets, but your physical activity and your quality of life.
If you or a loved one needs help addressing these challenges, contact us today or call us at (208) 274-9580! We look forward to hearing from you soon.
