Why Weight Loss Should NOT Be On Your New Year’s Resolutions List
As January approaches, most of us start looking forward to new beginnings. We think about things that we’d like to improve, things we’d like to do differently, and even things we’d like to eliminate from our lives.
And, the fact is, weight is one of the top things people zoom in on every January. A Statista survey found that as many as 48% of people in the US wanted to lose weight in 2021.
But is focusing on a number on a scale truly the way to invest in our health and wellbeing? Or is it an unnecessary source of pressure that can do more harm than good?
Yes, Weight Loss Can Be Great
The truth is, maintaining a healthy body weight is an excellent way to invest in one’s health. According to science, it decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer.
Moreover, some resources suggest that being obese is a significant contributing factor to major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia.
So, weight loss may seem like a great example of a resolution geared towards holistic health and bettering one’s circumstances. But, the truth is, there’s a dark side to weight loss as well.
How Conventional Weight Loss Programs Miss The Mark
For most people, the way to go about weight loss is to take one of two routes:
- They decide to go on a restrictive diet that deprives their body of excess calories. Or,
- They take up a rigorous fitness program.
Yes, both of these approaches can yield results. But the problem with them is that they can cause just as much harm.
Dieting, for example, doesn’t just restrict calories. It may also deprive the body of essential macro and micronutrients, leading to disordered eating or simply not delivering the promised results.
Exercise can also do damage. When excessively used for weight loss, it can lead to injuries, exhaustion, severe inflammation, and even depression.
So, is there a better approach to becoming healthier in the new year? Absolutely!
3 Holistic Weight-Loss Strategies For Better Overall Health
The most important thing to remember when aiming for weight loss is that it has to be a journey that contributes to physical and emotional wellbeing.
MINDFUL EATING
An excellent place to start is mindfulness, or, more precisely, mindful eating. This practice rests on the premise that our approach to food should include intuition, listening to our body, getting rid of judgment, and re-framing the act of eating.
With this approach, a meal is not just something that’s gobbled down while doing something else. Instead, it’s a self-care ritual that deserves our full attention and respect.
PRACTICING MOVEMENT INSTEAD OF EXERCISE
The second strategy for weight loss is to remove excessive exercise programs and to focus, instead, on including more movement in our lives. Even science suggests that 13 minutes of exercise, three times a week, is just as beneficial as an intense workout program.
Moreover, studies have shown that activities as simple as taking a short walk after a meal can help the body regulate blood glucose better. Plus, they count towards our daily movement goals, making them the perfect way to practice movement.
For more intense physical transformations, the key is to find a balance between hard work and helpful hacks. Excellent ways to see results include supplementation with performance-boosting natural ingredients like turkesterone, heat and cold exposure, blood flow restriction training, and other beneficial practices.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS
As you explore ways to lose weight, don’t forget that a spiritual practice makes just as much of a difference as a physical one.
Meditation, mindfulness, yoga, breathing exercises, Tai chi, and gentle stretching all do a great job of reducing and regulating stress. Moreover, they provide moments of respite from the hectic world. They allow us to focus on and explore our emotions instead of acting on them by eating.
Resolutions To Commit To Instead Of Losing Weight
Weight loss may not be the ideal New Year’s resolution for those looking to live a healthier life. Nonetheless, it’s not to say there aren’t other excellent ways to make health a priority in the coming year.
Self-care is always a great idea, seeing that it prioritizes physical and emotional wellbeing practices. So is exploring healthier foods, new ways of movement, or better sleeping habits. And, of course, don’t forget about forging and nurturing meaningful relationships.
After all, science has proven that rich social lives contribute to overall health. And, besides, a bit of support can go a long way in taking better care of ourselves. So, here’s our last bit of advice: surround yourself with people who are sure to be there for you. Together, you’ve got this new year.
Joneil Suezo is a freelance health and wellness writer who enjoys skiing, cooking and traveling to new destinations around the world.
