The new year, and a new decade, is upon us. If you’re like most, you may have set a few resolutions and goals for this year. And more likely than not, at least one of them is to lose weight or get healthier. It’s during the first month of the year that many of us choose to follow a fad diet, try a weight loss product promoted on Instagram, or completely change our lifestyles. But time and time again, any weight lost this way tends to get re-gained by the second half of the year. Are these unrealistic resolutions really working? Or do we need to start rethinking weight loss?
Health is a Cycle
Let’s start with a little deep dive inward shall we? Take a moment and reflect upon the last few months. And be honest with yourself. How have you been feeling? What have you been eating? How have you been sleeping? Are you really stressed at work? Is too much being asked of you? Have you taken any time to do anything for yourself?
Our health is a balance of mind, body, and spirit. If your mind isn’t healthy, can your body truly be physically healthy? Honestly, it can’t. Sure, you can eat all your vegetables and go on a few runs a week. But if you aren’t sleeping, resting, coping healthily, or recharging, hormone levels can waver and leave your body holding onto fat and other toxins as a result.
Rethinking Weight Loss
This is why fad diets and abrupt life changes don’t work for most people. Because we’re only focusing on one aspect of our health – weight. Instead of working on the emotional weight to find balanced sustainability, we focus on scale numbers and inches. We restrict for a result but do nothing to help the root of the cause.
Instead of Losing Weight, Gain Overall Health
Reframing is a great tool for rethinking weight loss. Let’s try reframing “losing weight” with a more positive resolution. You could say something like, “Instead of losing weight, I want to gain more energy so I can play longer with my kids.” Or, “Instead of losing weight, I want to increase my confidence in my full self – my ideas, my character, and my presence.” Focusing on the positives creates an emotional attachment that will keep you motivated to keep going.
Make It Sustainable
If you are resolving to “lose weight”, there is one tip we will leave you with – make it sustainable. The methods you choose to get healthy need to be something you’re going to stick with. If you hate running, you probably shouldn’t do a couch to 5k program or sign up for a Color Run. Start with small, manageable changes. Do 10 (modified) pushups and 10 squats in the morning when you wake up. Park further away so you walk more. Have one extra glass of water with every pop you drink. Take the stairs instead of the escalator. Eat a portion of veggies at dinner.
This is also true of big diet changes. We know many people who try to go vegan cold turkey in the new year and are eating bacon again by Valentine’s day. Try a few meatless days a week and ease yourself in. The same approach can be taken for Keto diets and Elimination diets. The only way to change a habit is by practicing the new habit consistently. Give yourself easy ways to be consistent and soon it will be second nature.
Nutrition and Chiropractic Care
Nutrition is critical to our overall health. What we ingest is directly correlated to how we feel and how we perform on an everyday basis. Food should be seen as fuel. It’s what keeps our organs functioning, bodies moving, and brains operating as best as they can. This used to be a much simpler process. But as we have evolved over time, so have the foods we consume. We have become inundated with foods full of processed components, fillers, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients. And these are all things that can contribute to both weight gain and diseases.
Nutrition and your chiropractic hand go hand in hand, as, without proper nutrition, that care can only do so much. This is why we want to remind you how extremely important it is to pay attention to all aspects of your health. This way, you can ensure everything is working together to give you the best possible outcome.
Rethinking Weight Loss with Zock Chiropractic
We will always encourage our patients to eat a nutritionally dense diet as they focus on their overall wellness. To talk about weight loss and how to rethink it further, make an appointment today to schedule an introductory chiropractic session. We can discuss your wellness routine and nutritional needs as part of my initial chiropractic workup for you as a new patient to our practice.
* This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please contact a medical professional for advice.