“Healthy at Every Size” Initiative Shows Promise for Improving Body Image, Weight Loss
November 11th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Headline
Weight loss is something that scores of people attempt to achieve each year, and some approach the topic with a more positive outlook than others. Though there are options available for rational weight loss, many programs focus on treating non-idealized bodies as wrong or unacceptable, and suggest the restriction of certain foods –sometimes entire food groups– in order to cause a drop in pounds. The “Healthy at Any Size,” or HAES program, has recently been tested on women attempting to lose weight, and has taken a health, rather than a weight, centered approach. Concentrating on healing emotional issues surrounding eating, the program was found to be successful compared to a control group, but still needs further research to distinguish it from basic social support offerings.
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8 comments so far
I am such an emotional eater so I am looking for a rpogram like this to help me.
Some people are genetically bigger than others, but that does not necessarily mean they are not healthy or anything… to each one his own, and whatever size they are, being healthy is possible and this is a positive step…
There is an ideal weight for every height, likewise it wouldn’t be wrong to say that people, no matter of what size, should try and achieve a fit state rather than trying to ’shrink’ themselves…
That is a step in the right direction. When I comfort eat and put on weight I become obsessed with the scales. Looking at it as eating healthy rather than dieting is a much more positive message.
I despise myself when I gain weight. I don’t only look ugly. I feel ugly inside. Talk about self-loathing. Being able to accept myself for being who I am, thin or fat, and to be happy about that…now that would be a blessing.
There are beautiful, beautiful women out there that don’t have tiny waistlines. Queen Latifah, Oprah and Kirstie Alley are all stunning. When Oprah lost all that weight before, I thought she looked like death warmed up. Not everyone looks good when they are thin and a high percentage yo-yo diet only to pile it all on again. If you eat healthy, you’ll be healthy.
I implore every dieter to throw away the scales and concentrate on becoming happy within. What’s the point in making being super slim your priority if you’re dispirited every day? Find your joy first. Take care of your spirit and the pounds will take care of themselves.
If nothing else it would break the cycle of eating because you’re depressed about how you look, getting more depressed the heavier you get, and eating more again. Healthy lifestyle sounds much better than dieting. In my mind dieting = deprivation.