Self-esteem is important for helping us achieve our life goals. It affects us on a daily basis, often driving many of the decisions we make or don’t make along our life journey.
Self-esteem and Your Weight
Weight management is an important part of that life journey. For many, it’s even one of the most significant – especially if you are struggling with excess weight or obesity.
If you aren’t fostering positive feelings toward yourself, or recognizing your shining qualities over the ones you wish to change, self-esteem might be a hard thing for you to master. However, it plays a critical role in your weight management efforts – whether you are trying to lose weight, maintain it or manage it in some other way.
When you think about weight management, what usually comes to mind? Many of us will answer healthy foods, exercise, medications, stress management, sleep, etc. But how often do we even consider weight management?
Understanding the Connection
The truth is, our weight is closely connected to our self-esteem. Consider these examples:
- Eating and Emotions – When we feel bad about ourselves, we’re more likely to either overeat or under-eat rather than finding the right balance. Both can lead to ill health and affect your weight management efforts.
- Energy Maintenance – Not only do we require energy to go about our daily lives, but we need it to exercise! Self-esteem can often lead to a loss of energy, which decreases our physical activity levels and makes exercise seem impossible.
- Self-blame – If you’re battling low self-esteem, you may be more likely to blame yourself for when things don’t go your way. For example: if you “slip up” on your healthy eating plan or don’t reach your weight goals fast enough, you might think that you’re to blame. This simply isn’t true.
- Future Successes – Have you ever heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy? What you believe to be true may actually become true. If you tell yourself you’re not likely to reach your weight management goals, you are less likely to find the success you’re hoping for.
Want More Information about Self-esteem and Weight Management?
CLICK HERE for a helpful resource from the Obesity Action Coalition.
