How To Acknowledge And Overcome Your Health Barriers
The New Year is here (2019 can you believe it?!) and the mindset of “new year, new me” is in full swing, which, for the record, isn’t a bad thing at all. Fresh starts are good, it’s nice to feel like we’re able to press a reset button and let go of all the weight and baggage of the previous year.
A common resolution I hear is weight loss goals. Losing weight and committing to being healthier as a whole is a great resolution but too often it becomes hard to follow through with for a variety of reasons.
There can definitely be mental roadblocks along the way to becoming a healthier version of yourself that is often overlooked. Many factors outside of exercising more and eating healthier can affect your relationship with weight loss and your overall health, mental, physical, and emotional since they go hand-in-hand.
Do quick fixes help or create health barriers?
There are many “quick fixes” out there now that make you want to believe that change comes quick and easy, and if it doesn’t we feel frustrated and want to give up. However, true weight loss happens over a long period of time. There is no quick fix and that’s where your mental health comes in. We’re conditioned to want things immediately. Additionally, you know we want to see changes after eating salads for a week and going to the gym a couple of days after work. However, that’s not how it happens. It happens with little changes that happen consistently over a longer period of time.
What do healthy weight loss and brain health take?
Losing weight and gaining better health takes rewiring of your brain, just like any other habit. If you want to change your spending habits and start saving more money then you have to work on it and change the way you see the money. You have to set limits for yourself, plan, and budget. It’s the same thing with your diet and health, you have to be willing to put in the time to see changes. There will be mental blocks in the way that you have to work through.
It’s important to remember your brain works with you and for you, not against you.
Health Barriers Make Change Challenging!
Changing habits is hard! If you drink a soda every day for lunch or grab candy from the dish that’s always stocked, those habits are going to be hard to change, but you can change them. You have to acknowledge what you’d like to change and replace that bad habit with a good habit over time.
Plus, you have to understand why you want to lose weight in the first place. Beyond the reason of looking better and feeling better, what are you after? More freedom that comes with being healthier, the opportunities you will have when you are richer mentally and physically.
Does Weight Loss Only Lie Within Food and Exercise?
There are more psychological issues that can affect your goal of losing weight including eating out of comfort, not when you’re hungry. If you’re stressed out and anxious you go for something you know and you enjoy and it makes things less stressful. The problem isn’t necessarily the food but it’s the stress. You have to start seeking and changing the habit of eating comfort food whenever something stressful happens and exchange that with going for a walk or writing in a journal. The little changes are key.
If I don’t reach my goals does that mean I am a failure?
Another psychological issue we face when trying to lose weight is fear of failure or embarrassment. Weight loss and health aren’t linear paths. It takes time and figuring out what works for you. You might be embarrassed and scared to go to the gym alone, so don’t! Try going on walks and then throw in some running, try some at-home YouTube videos. Plus, if you feel like you’re confident enough with where you are find a gym that feels comfortable to you and try out a trainer there so you don't have to navigate the gym on your own. You can also ask a friend if you can join them for a few days on their buddy passes at their gym to learn the ropes. There are plenty of alternative options to avoid health barriers. It is important to remember not to let fear of not hitting your goal or fear of embarrassment stop you from turning your life in the direction you want it to go.
Comparison also creates health barriers
This goes with comparison to others. Never look at someone else and think you’re not good enough or capable or able to do what they’re doing because everyone has to start somewhere. Don’t let this comparison of outside looks be a psychological roadblock for you in the gym.
You have to evaluate what works for you and it might not be the same thing that works for your friends. Also, don’t get caught up if something that used to work for you is no longer working. Your mind and body change and sometimes with those changes we have to change up our habits and routines, again. Don’t let it discourage you.
Additionally, do not let missing a week for a vacation or for being sick discourage you from getting started again. Your mind might say “why to bother” but there are so many reasons to continue with your progress. Don’t give up and don’t let your mind stop you from being where you want to be.
What is important about addressing health barriers?
It’s time to acknowledge and let go of all the past behaviors and mindsets that made everything feel so heavy.
Weight loss is a long process that doesn’t happen overnight; it’s an investment in yourself. You have to change your mindset and change the way you think about your relationship with food and exercise. Sustainable change takes time and you should embrace the process.
Begin Individual Therapy or Family Therapy for Health Barriers In Long Beach, CA
Being healthy is another way to improve your psychological health, but what happens when unexpected health barriers change the outcome for you? At Healing Generations Counseling, I can help! You will work with me as you in-person and online therapist who specializes in therapy for life transitions, health barriers, and family issues. To get started, schedule your free consultation, or get in contact with me by following these simple steps to begin counseling in Orange County:
Meet with me! Connie Hsu, your understanding therapist
Begin approaching your health with a better mindset!
Other Mental Health Services at Healing Generations Counseling
Health affects not only you but those around you. If you find that health barriers are holding you back, then join me for therapy in my in-office or online in Long Beach, CA counseling. If you’re seeking additional mental health services at Healing Generations Counseling include individual therapy, multicultural counseling/cross-cultural counseling, marriage counseling and couples therapy, divorce recovery, trauma therapy, therapy for teens, and EMDR therapy, support groups for women, danica@simplifiedseoconsulting.com, and support groups for teens. All sessions are offered via online therapy in California, with limited in-person options. Begin therapy today in Long Beach, CA, Orange County, CA, Los Angeles County, CA. If you’re ready for change and support, I cannot wait to hold that space for you. Call now and begin therapy!