We’ve all been there before— hopping from one fad diet to the next, trying to find the secret to weight loss that actually works. And while some diets do offer short-term results, they’re often not sustainable in the long run and can even be harmful to your health. That’s why it’s important to adopt a holistic approach to weight loss, one that addresses all the different factors that contribute to your weight. Not sure what holistic weight loss entails? We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll discuss the meaning of holistic weight loss and explain how it can help you achieve meaningful, lasting results.
What Is A Holistic Approach To Weight Loss?
A holistic approach to weight loss considers all aspects of your health and lifestyle when developing a plan to achieve your weight goals.
This means that rather than focusing on just diet or exercise, a holistic approach takes into account your mental and emotional health, your physical activity levels, and even your sleeping habits.
In other words, it’s an all-encompassing approach that addresses everything from your diet and exercise routine to your stress levels and sleep habits.
Why Adopt A Holistic Approach To Weight Loss?
There are several reasons why adopting a holistic approach to weight loss is a good idea.
First, it can help you achieve more meaningful and lasting results. Unlike restrictive diets that can be difficult to stick with in the long run, a holistic approach allows you to make gradual changes to your lifestyle that are more sustainable in the long run.
Second, a holistic approach is beneficial for your health. Fad diets can often be unhealthy and lead to nutrient deficiencies (6). However, a holistic approach takes into account your individual needs and allows you to make healthy choices that are right for you.
Finally, a holistic approach is empowering. It allows you to take control of your own health and learn about the different ways you can improve your well-being.
Read More: Portion Control For Weight Loss And Maintenance Of Healthy Weight
How Can A Holistic Approach Help You Lose Weight?
There are a number of ways that a holistic approach to weight loss can help you lose weight.
First, it can help you develop healthy eating habits. A holistic approach focuses on nutritious, whole foods that are good for you and can help you develop a balanced diet that is sustainable in the long run.
Second, a holistic approach can help you increase your physical activity levels. A holistic approach emphasizes balance and moderation, so you’re not overdoing it with your workouts or feeling overwhelmed.
Third, a holistic approach can help you manage stress and anxiety. When you’re stressed, it’s tempting to reach for unhealthy comfort foods (7). A holistic approach helps you find healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety, which can in turn help you lose weight.
Fourth, a holistic approach can help you get better sleep. Poor sleep can sabotage your weight-loss efforts (5). A holistic approach can help you establish healthy sleep habits that support your weight loss goals.
How To Adopt A Holistic Approach To Weight Loss?
Now that you know what a holistic approach to weight loss is and why you should adopt it, here are a few strategies to help you get started:
Self-monitoring
One of the most effective ways to adopt a holistic approach to weight loss is to start tracking your progress.
This means keeping track of not just your weight, but also your diet, exercise, and sleep habits.
Not only does this help you stay accountable, but it also allows you to track your progress over time and see how different changes (like adding more exercise or cutting back on sugar) are affecting your weight.
Keeping a journal can also help track your progress.
Mindful Eating
Another important part of adopting a holistic approach to weight loss is learning to eat mindfully.
This means paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness signals, eating slowly and deliberately, and savoring every bite. It also means removing all distractions while you eat so that you can focus on your food.
When you eat mindfully, you’re more likely to make healthy choices and eat less overall.
Yoga And Meditation
Yoga and meditation are great ways to reduce stress and anxiety, which can in turn help you lose weight. Both practices help you focus on your breath and connect with your body, which can be calming and empowering (3).
Try incorporating a yoga or meditation practice into your daily routine to see if it helps you lose weight.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Weight Loss
If you struggle with disordered eating habits or negative thoughts about your body, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be a helpful tool for weight loss.
CBT helps you identify and challenge the thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you from reaching your goals (1).
It can be a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of dieting and binging and developing a healthy relationship with food.
If you think CBT might be helpful for you, talk to your doctor or a therapist about getting started.
Nurture A Positive Relationship With Food
Last but not least, it’s important to nurture a positive relationship with food if you want to adopt a holistic approach to weight loss. This means accepting that food is not good or bad, and that there is no one “right” way to eat.
It also means learning to tune in to your body’s signals and eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full.
Accepting that food is not the enemy can be a challenge, but it’s an important step on the road to sustainable weight loss.
Being Consistent With Exercise
While a holistic approach to weight loss is not about counting calories or following a rigid diet plan, it’s still important to be consistent with your exercise routine.
This means setting realistic goals and sticking to them, even when you don’t feel like working out.
It’s also important to mix up your workouts so you’re not getting bored. If you can find an exercise routine that you enjoy and stick to it, you’re more likely to see long-term success.
While exercise is useful for burning calories, its benefits extend far beyond that.
Exercise can help improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a healthy relationship with food (4).
That’s why it’s an important part of any holistic approach to weight loss.
Practice Sleep Hygiene
Make sure to practice good sleep hygiene if you want to adopt a holistic approach to weight loss. This means establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and winding down for 30 minutes before bedtime.
Getting enough quality sleep is essential for overall health and can help promote weight loss. If you’re struggling with sleep, talk to your doctor about ways to improve your sleep habits.
Favor Single-Ingredient Whole Foods
Another important part of a holistic approach to weight loss is favoring single-ingredient whole foods. This means eating mostly unprocessed foods that are close to their natural state.
Foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains are all great choices for a healthy diet.
Processed foods like packaged snacks, refined grains, and processed meats are best avoided.
Focusing on whole foods can help you eat more nutrient-rich foods and reduce your intake of unhealthy additives.
Drink More Water
Make sure to drink plenty of water if you want to lose weight.
Water helps keep you hydrated and can help boost your metabolism (2). It’s also a zero-calorie drink, so you can drink as much as you want without worrying about added calories.
Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated and promote weight loss (8).
Read More: Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Drink: Does It Truly Work?
Making Gradual Changes
One of the benefits of a holistic approach is that it allows you to make gradual changes to your lifestyle. This means that you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket and you’re not overwhelmed by trying to change everything at once.
Start by making small changes to your diet and exercise routine and see how they work for you.
Find A Support Network
A holistic approach is all about balance, so it’s important to find a supportive community that can help you stay on track. Whether it’s an online forum or a group of friends who are also trying to lose weight, finding a support network can help keep you motivated and accountable.
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Practice Patience
Losing weight is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Give yourself time to make changes and allow your body to adjust.
Seek Out Professional Help
If you’re struggling to adopt a holistic approach to weight loss on your own, it might be helpful to seek out professional help. A nutritionist or personal trainer can help you develop a realistic plan that works for you and provides the support you need to stay on track.
The Bottom Line
A holistic approach to weight loss is a good idea for anyone who wants to lose weight healthily and sustainably. It can help you develop healthy eating habits, increase your physical activity levels, manage stress and anxiety, and get better sleep. And best of all, it allows you to make gradual changes that are right for you.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
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SOURCES:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to aid weight loss in obese patients: current perspectives (2017, nih.gov)
- Drinking water is associated with weight loss in overweight dieting women independent of diet and activity (2008, pubmed.gov)
- Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life (2011, nih.gov)
- Health Benefits of Exercise (2018, nih.gov)
- Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduced adiposity (2011, nih.gov)
- Potential long-term consequences of fad diets on health, cancer, and longevity: lessons learned from model organism studies (2007, pubmed.gov)
- Stress and Eating (2013, apa.org)
- Water: How much should you drink every day? (2020, mayoclinic.org)
