Lose weight or get slim?

At first glance, the difference between the words “lose weight” and “slim” is not so noticeable. In both cases, we are talking about the fight against extra pounds. But in fact, at the heart of each approach is a certain concept of attitude to one’s own body and way of eating.

Weight loss is based on the idea of ​​the body as an object that must be constantly monitored and kept in strictness in order to achieve a conditional ideal. The low efficiency and danger of this approach has long been proven.

The “philosophy of harmony” is fundamentally different: the concept is to perceive the body as inseparable from our nature and individuality.

It turns out that the principles of losing weight are based on coercion, and the philosophy of harmony leads to finding harmony with one’s own “I”. But to truly choose the second path, we need to stop believing in three common weight loss myths that have led us to confuse abuse with efficiency.

Myth 1. Slimming is difficult.

Prejudice. Thanks to a strict diet, we clearly understand what is possible and what is not. Without these restrictions, it is very difficult to eat right, and even more difficult to lose weight.

Why is this incorrect? The body has its own “mind”, built on certain psychological needs and on the personal psycho-emotional background of each person. No matter how much you argue with the body, it will always try to make up for what is missing. And it turns out that the only possible way out is to adhere to the natural balance – your natural weight. This is the weight that we achieve when we are not surrounded by endless restrictions, but at the same time we do not allow ourselves excesses: for example, we do not continue the meal after we have eaten.

Correct line of conduct: find your natural weight, return to it and stop constantly restraining yourself.

• Maintain a good mood, try not to criticize yourself.
• Stay away from scales. They serve as yet another proof that you are not perfect.
• Distinguish your physiological needs from your psycho-emotional ones. When we say to ourselves “I’m hungry” – this is physiology, but everyone’s favorite phrase “to eat such a delicious” is only emotions. If you want to eat, but you do not feel hungry, ask yourself what you are trying to drown out with food: fear, stress, boredom, anger? ..
• The better you can distinguish between these two types of hunger, the closer you will be to the right eating pattern. There is nothing wrong with indulging yourself in chocolate from time to time. If such behavior becomes more frequent, it is better to discuss this with a psychotherapist.
• Try not to eat unless you feel hungry. Some of us eat 5-6 times a day, while others only need two. Respect your rhythm and your preferences. This will help your body stay at its natural weight. Let food stop being an obsession.

Myth 2. Slimming for a long time

Prejudice. If you go on a diet, then the kilograms will melt quickly – this motivates. And if you just “pay attention” to nutrition, then motivation decreases, but not weight.

Why is this incorrect? Losing kilograms does not always lead to thinness. After dieting, people often gain much more than they have lost, which completely kills any determination to move on. On the path leading to harmony, and not to thinness, we are talking about changing the very attitude to food and to your body. This is what gives long-term results. Motivation in this case is replaced by the concepts of good mood and pleasure. You begin to live in peace and harmony with your body and with what you eat.

Correct line of conduct: change your attitude to food, eat consciously.

• Start by accepting the idea that there are no “bad” foods. We equally need sugar, salt and fat, fiber, vitamins and nutrients. Remember that the more we “denigrate” foods and limit ourselves to them, the more our body requires them. And this contributes to excessive and chaotic consumption of food.
• In your daily diet, consider your tastes, do not stick labels “good” or “bad” on products. The pleasure of eating is a guarantee of a good figure, taking into account individual characteristics.
• For food, choose a pleasant place and environment. Preferably, without external stimuli like TV, radio, books and telephone. Eat while sitting, not standing or walking.
• Eat slowly, chewing food well, concentrating on its taste, smell and texture. This will help you enjoy your meal and more easily determine your satiety threshold. Unconscious, automatic eating excludes pleasure and leads to satiety. Catch the moment when the feeling of hunger disappears: if you no longer perceive the taste of food, then your body is satiated enough. Over time, you will learn to recognize the “satiety threshold” and will be able to avoid overeating. You will also learn to feel the difference between physiological and psychological hunger.

Myth 3: Slimness is not noticeable enough

Prejudice: When you lose weight strongly and quickly, the figure changes radically, and this is very noticeable. And harmony, unlike thinness, is completely invisible.

Why is this incorrect? If in the case of diets, the figure changes dramatically, although not for long, then the correct way to lose weight models the body, taking into account all the personal characteristics of the figure. It would be a mistake to think that under a layer of extra pounds is the very ideal body that we dream of. There is hardly a universal level of thinness that suits all women without exception. It is possible to lose weight without “redrawing” our silhouette, retaining all the curves and roundness that make us unique.

Correct line of conduct: learn to live with your body, transforming your figure.

• A beautiful figure is, first of all, a body with which one is in harmony. Open your shoulders, raise your head… Throw away timidity and shame.
• Get in touch with your body. Go for a massage, body wraps, hammam. Take baths, use moisturizer, dress nicely. The more confident you are in yourself and your body, the more healing the effect will be.
• Go in for sports. Choose the type of activity that gives you the most pleasure and suits your abilities. Remember that the regularity of classes is preferable to the intensity. Be as involved as possible in the process – listen to your thoughts, emotions and sensations. This has a beneficial effect of unity with the body and gives ease in communicating with it.
• Pay special attention to the parts of the body that you love the most. Focusing on what you don’t like destroys faith in yourself.