Weight Loss, Yay or Nay?
Weight loss and eating disorder treatments? Pft. Talk to the hand.
Okay, let me clarify. This used to be my point of view. I couldn’t quite understand how these two topics really played into each other. Now, I don’t necessarily disagree, but I do think this is a lot more complex, and it’s far from black and white.
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We should be exploring questions around the perception that excessive weight is a health problem, the dangers of intentional weight loss, and the conversations that uncover this controversial topic.
In this episode, I’m talking about:
The complexities of weight loss.
The debate over whether excessive weight, particularly on the higher end of the BMI chart.
Obesity being categorized as a disease.
The significance of weight in determining health.
Stress-related to weight, discrimination, and bias as a contributing factor to poor health outcomes.
Body fat vs. location of weight.
The risks and harmful effects of intentional weight loss.
Weight cycling and inflammation from repeated dieting.
The importance of questioning the premise and sustainability of weight loss goals.
Body image work.
Practical steps for overall health improvement.
Adding positive habits rather than restriction.
Tweetable Quotes
"Weight is not synonymous with health; it's a significant factor but only one part of the bigger picture of someone's well-being." - Rachelle Heinemann
"If anybody so much as said the phrase weight loss and eating disorder treatment, or even just weight loss and health together, I'd just be like, talk to the hand." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Even if you're put in a position where it is imperative to lose weight for your health, going on a restrictive diet is not going to be the answer." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Your point on the BMI chart on that bell curve doesn't inherently determine your health, but it is one point. And this is the key, that weight is not synonymous with health, but weight is a very big factor in determining part of the bigger picture of someone's health." - Rachelle Heinemann
Resources
Sign up for my Basics of Assessing & Treating Eating Disorders Webinar
Related Episodes
Episode 115. How To Recover When Everyone Around You Is Dieting
Episode 77. How to Accept Your Body
Episode 76. The Basics of Health at Every Size
Episode 66. But What's Wrong With Wanting to Lose Weight?
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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