Emotions are the main obstacle to losing weight

When trying to address a sensitive subject such as training from Overweight people, the fulfillment or not of the objectives that have been marked will basically depend on two factors.

First, the technical aspects related to training and nutrition; and second, the management of the client's environment: emotions, customs and habits, beliefs or motivation.

Emotions are key to gaining or losing weight

Most people know that losing weight requires eating less and / or Do more exercise, but many overlook other factors that will favor or hinder this goal (lose weight), such as psychological aspects.

The relationship between emotions and weight loss is clear. For example, in moments of emotional instability we are more likely to consume fatty foods. But psychological and emotional variables are not only important for dieting success, but they also have a major effect on the success of physical training (for example, on the adherence).

The physical activity experts it's been a long time since have paid attention to psychological factors

(motivation, emotional management, realistic expectations, beliefs about oneself, etc.), since research on the aspects that affect exercise and nutrition, has led them to explore emotional needs, and many times have revealed lifestyle patterns that are harmful, behaviors that are addictive and personal and family challenges that interfere with the achievement of clients' goals.

Regarding this, it is necessary that these factors be redirected in order to follow the weight loss plan successfully.

Psychology has also provided scientific evidence in this regard

But not only physical activity experts have explored the emotional variables that affect success in loss weight, but psychologists have also been interested in the relationship between emotions and the achievement of this objective.

A study conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center, involving 1,300 psychologists who answered questions about their work with clients suffering from weight loss problems, concluded that emotional aspects can get in the way of your weight loss plan.

44% of psychologists stated that they used the strategy of “understanding and managing behaviors and emotions related to weight control ", as it worked very well to lose weight and did not get it back. 43% of psychologists also cited "emotional eating"as a barrier to weight loss.

92% of those surveyed who offered weight loss treatment reported that they helped patients correct emotional problems related to weight gain. More than 70% identified the cognitive behavioral therapy (problem solving, attention techniques, etc.) as an excellent weight loss strategy. In other words, cognitive behavioral therapy is useful because it helps people identify and address negative thoughts and emotions. that can lead to unhealthy behaviors and that interfere with the achievement of nutritional and physical exercise goals.

The relationship between emotional intelligence and motivation

In addition, 43% of those surveyed also commented that "maintaining a regular exercise routine" is one of the keys to lose weight. Regarding this, there are many studies that speak of the relationship between emotional intelligence and intrinsic motivation, and Jose Maria Buceta, in his book "Psychological Variables Related to Physical and Sports Performance ”explains the relationship between motivation and adherence to training physical.

On the other hand, the psychologist Adrian Triglia, in an article by Psychology and Mind called "Why Diets May Not Work”, Reviews the psychological and emotional strategies proposed by Traci Mann, from the University of Minnesota, to improve adherence to the diet of weight loss, such as replacing thoughts about a cake with thoughts of whole wheat bread or a food with even less carbohydrates.

In conclusion, Emotions and commitment to exercise are one of the most common challenges faced by people who want to lose weight. Many people can ruin many of the efforts they have made for a long time for psychological reasons. When these people combine emotional work with lifestyle change, the results come.