What you need to know about losing weight

You may not realize it, but there is a certain psychology at work in successful weight loss. So it's no surprise that Psychology Today magazine covered this issue in depth. In October 2004, the magazine published an article on its website describing the experiences of Diane Berry, a nurse practitioner who studied women who lost at least 15 pounds and maintained the weight loss for an average of seven years. The women shared some important things in common. For example, they all achieved weight loss with either Weight Watchers or TOPS, which meant they had a solid support network as they struggled to maintain their weight. The group meetings were very important because they learned to recognize that they are definitely not alone in their struggle with weight. Women were also relatively unusual, as up to 90 percent of individuals who lose weight put it back on within five years. Another thing these women have in common is that they seemed to undergo a profound mood change when they went from fat to thin. From all indications, they seemed to be depressed when they were heavy, but as they tried to lose weight, their mood improved. For these women, healthy eating became a habit they refused to break. They found out for themselves the huge role that psychology plays in losing weight. They refused to give in to negative feelings of frustration and denial and instead chose a positive path. The women also made it a point to weigh themselves regularly so they could chart their progress. And they recognized that maintaining the weight loss would be a lifelong struggle. They knew they couldn't try a weight loss program and then put it back on the shelf. They had to learn new eating habits that they could continue week after week. In some cases, they compared their struggle to that of an alcoholic. In other words, they recognized the severity of their problem and took steps to correct the situation. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these women's experiences was the fact that their weight loss really came at a rapid pace. They gained their weight back at times, but did not let that deter them from their ultimate goal. They simply saw their failures as challenges to overcome. This may be the key psychological trait that separates successful dieters from unsuccessful dieters – persistence. Basically, these women were able to change their personalities in a positive way to achieve their long-term weight loss goals. Another interesting aspect of this study was that it showed that women who underwent a weight loss transformation were actually happy. This shows the huge psychological impact that weight loss can have on an individual. Once an individual sheds the burden of being overweight, they are better able to face life's challenges head on. The dieter benefits from positive reinforcement as family, friends and co-workers congratulate him on his weight loss. In this way, losing weight can be quite a life-affirming experience and can lead to a more optimistic outlook on life. It must be noted here that the psychology of weight loss is a complicated matter. There is no single ingredient that can make a fat person thin. However, realizing that successful weight loss has a psychological component may actually be half the battle. Once an individual recognizes that they are engaged in a psychological battle, they are better able to fight. By retraining oneself to find healthy approaches to eating, one can actually shape oneself into a new individual—one who no longer lives to eat, but simply eats to live.