COVID - Extra Pounds or Extra GUILT?

I have read numerous articles recently about the effect of our weight on the likelihood of getting Covid and the impact our weight might have on the effectiveness of the vaccine.  These are worrying times for many of us, as well as those who have a BMI above normal.  And this information adds to the stress already felt by many people who would like to lose weight.

It’s a double whammy because many overweight people struggle to lose weight AND keep it off long term.  Many diet regimes can help you lose weight in the short term.  But we know that within 18 months, most people regain all the weight they have lost, and more.  Why? – because it’s just not easy.  In fact, losing weight for the long term is very hard for most people.  It is hard on so many levels.

Manufactures tempt us with adverts full of sugary or high fat processed foods. Not just occasionally, but all the time.  The television and internet are packed full of food adverts showing indulgent chocolates, juicy burgers, and pizza’s dripping with cheese laden toppings.  All are promising to make us feel better.  But that feel good feeling does not last.  It’s a sticking plaster, a short-term fix. Guilt soon steps in.

To make matters worse, we have lots of confusing diet messages.  I am sure that you have seen the social media adverts stating, ‘5 foods you must NOT eat’ and ‘5 miracle foods you MUST eat’.  And there are so many diet plans on offer that it becomes confusing to know which plans work and which don’t.

No wonder we feel so GUILTY!!!!

But stop right there because being tempted by sugary foods and succumbing to the temptation is not your fault.

It is our bodies job to keep us alive, and if we are not getting the nutrition that we need, our bodies will make us find food.  If we eat high sugar or processed foods, we have a great sugar hit that makes us feel good.  And our brains are wired to want more and more of that feel good feeling.

But diets do not overcome the problem of emotional eating.  This is the stumbling block after we have lost a lot of weight.  We use food for more than just fuel.  We use it to cope with stress too. Emotional stress, physical stress due to dehydration, stress because we are tired, and the list goes on.  A quick food fix gives us a short-term solution. It helps us to overcome the immediate problem.  But it does not solve the longer-term emotional problem.

That is why I work with clients to help them find ways to beat emotional eating and enjoy nutritious, healthy foods.  It is a win-win situation – people feel great about themselves and feel great because of the healthy, tasty food they eat.

To find out more about the Eat Better Naturally system, email jane@janephillipscoaching.co.uk