Angee's Health and Wellness CoachingWhen it comes to weight loss, many of us begin with specific goals in mind: dropping a dress size, feeling more comfortable in our clothes, or simply improving our health. However, the deeper motivations behind our desire to lose weight often remain unexplored or we do not have the space and capacity to do so.
Through my experience of coaching individuals on their weight loss journeys, it has become evident that beneath the surface, our reasons are profoundly linked to two universal desires: the need for love and the pursuit of freedom from all the norms we have been told to believe that is not relevant to who we are.
The Surface Reasons
On any given day, the reasons people cite for wanting to lose weight might sound familiar:
- To fit comfortably in an aeroplane seat without an extender.
- To wear desired clothes with confidence at social gatherings.
- To play actively with children instead of sitting on the sidelines.
- To manage health better and reduce pain and discomfort.
- To live a life of vitality, not just survival.
- To reduce and manage stress
While these reasons are valid and important, they are often just the tip of the iceberg.
Digging Deeper
What lies beneath these reasons? It’s something more intrinsic and universal. Whether it’s about looking good in a mirror or being able to engage in activities without physical constraints, the underlying themes consistently point towards a deeper craving for acceptance and autonomy.
The WHY Behind the Why
Consider the process of asking “Why?” repeatedly to every surface reason:
- Why do I want to look good? So that I feel accepted and loved.
- Why do I want to engage more actively in life? So that I am not a bystander in my own story so that I live freely and be authentic.
By digging deep down, we uncover that at the core of our weight loss goals lies the need to feel loved and the desire to live a life unchained by physical or social bias.
Love and Freedom: The Ultimate Whys.
These two elements—love and freedom—are perhaps the most fundamental human needs. They influence not only our physical health but also our emotional and psychological well-being.
- Love: The need to belong, to be cared for, and to connect deeply with others drives many of our actions. When we don’t feel worthy of love because of our physical appearance or health, it can lead to a profound sense of isolation and unhappiness.
- Freedom: On the other hand, represents our desire to live without barriers. It could be the freedom from chronic health issues, the freedom to wear what we desire without self-judgment, or the freedom to participate fully in life’s activities without feeling physical constraints.
For example
Sarah, a 35-year-old woman, had struggled with her weight for most of her adult life. Initially, she wanted to lose weight to feel more confident and comfortable in her clothes. She was tired of feeling self-conscious at social events and avoiding activities that required physical exertion.
As Sarah searched deeper through coaching, she uncovered that her weight issues were deeply tied to her need for love and to be true to herself. Growing up, Sarah faced constant criticism about her appearance from her family, leading her to believe that she was not worthy of love unless she looked a certain way.
Over time, Sarah’s weight became a barrier to the freedom she craved. She avoided situations where her body might be judged, limiting her social interactions and experiences. Deep down, Sarah longed to feel loved and accepted for who she was, not judged based on her appearance. She also yearned to live a life where her weight didn’t hold her back from fully engaging in activities and experiences.
For Sarah, weight loss was not just about shedding pounds; it was about breaking free from the emotional chains that had bound her for years. It was about reclaiming her sense of self-worth and living a life where she was loved and accepted, regardless of her size.
In this way, Sarah’s journey towards weight loss became a journey towards self-love, self-acceptance and liberation. It was a journey of healing old wounds and embracing a new, empowered way of living.
The Path to Lasting Change
Understanding that our ultimate goals are love and freedom can transform how we approach weight loss. Instead of focusing solely on the scale or dietary restrictions, we begin to see weight loss as a journey towards reclaiming our lives and nurturing our inner selves. This realization also helps us to:
- Address Underlying Issues: By recognizing that our eating habits and lifestyle choices might be coping mechanisms for deeper issues, we can begin to work on those underlying problems, whether they are tied to self-esteem, past traumas, or unmet emotional needs.
- Adopt a Holistic Approach: Knowing that the pursuit of love and freedom drives us, a holistic approach becomes crucial. This includes not only diet and exercise but also emotional healing and personal growth.
- Sustain Motivation: When the journey gets tough, remembering that we’re not just aiming for a number on the scale but striving for a more fulfilling, liberal life can help us stay motivated. It’s not just about losing weight but about gaining a life rich with profound satisfaction and joy.
Conclusion
In the end, you must understand that weight loss is much more than changing how we look; it’s about changing how we feel about ourselves and our lives. By aligning our weight loss efforts with our fundamental desires for love and freedom, we not only enhance our chances of success but also ensure that the changes we make are lasting and meaningful. Remember, it’s not just the weight you’re losing, but the burdens you have carried for a long time.
I am a Health and Wellness coach specialising in building habits, mindset, and holistic weight loss. I love helping people come up with solutions that work for them for long-term weight loss.
I help you develop lifetime habits and mindsets that will help you lose weight for good and keep it off.
My Coaching Programs are a complete all-in-one habits, mindset and holistic weight loss personal coaching program that gives you everything you need to transform your life.
- knowledge
- systems
- tools
- skills
- structure
- accountability
and support to help you lose weight for good so you can reclaim your freedom, vitality, and quality of life.
All you need to do is take the first step in your transformation
