Long-term solutions for a healthier lifestyle

In our eat-and-run, more-is-better culture, it is getting harder to maintain a healthy weight. It is common to turn to “quick fixes” or the latest diet trend, but these are often just band-aids as they do not address the root of the problem. We want to help you find a long-term solution that gets you to your goal weight and keeps you there. With effective treatment, we can help you make powerful changes in your life.

Managing your weight can reduce your risk of serious health problems. Obesity is associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. There are a range of weight management services available including doctors, dieticians, commercial weight loss programs and calorie-controlled meals. Weight management requires motivation and discipline as well as encouragement from others.

Over-eating is often used as a way of coping with life’s difficulties. Individuals experiencing other mental health problems can sometimes find it a challenge to maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, a treatment plan needs to take into consideration the factors that may be present in an individual’s daily life.

Psychologists can assist with managing weight in many ways. It is important to look at the individual’s context and living environment, family history, values, and goals. Difficulties with weight loss should be viewed as a symptom of what is going on for clients; rather than being viewed as a problem.

Therapy is an effective means of assisting individuals who are having difficulty managing their weight. The practitioners at Foundation Psychology can provide support for people with weight management issues by:

• Having discussions which aim to help the individual gain insights into their boarder personality factors that contribute to over and under eating
• Helping the individual to keep a food diary
• Teaching the individual the benefits of adequate nutrition
• Goal setting
• Developing a reward system where the individual can reward themselves when they have done something to positively improve their diet

Helping the individual understand how their lifestyle, including family, friends, colleagues, and positive social support networks can assist in managing weight.