Rachelle Heinemann Therapy

View Original

Weight Loss, Yay or Nay?

Listen to the Episode Now

See this content in the original post

If this post resonates with you or makes you feel something, share it with a friend! My hope is that we can keep this important conversation going long after the post is over.


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

Grab my Journal Prompts here!

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?

Episode 65. 7 Tips for Positive Body Image


Newsletter update: If you’re not already signed up for my newsletter, then I’m not sure what you’re waiting for! I’m ✨obsessed ✨ with it. In an effort to keep things fun and fresh, we’re going to monthly newsletters rather than weekly. If you have any feedback on what you want to see in the newsletters, reply back to one or send me a message!


Grab my FREEBIE!: As you navigate recovery, you may be feeling like something is missing. You're doing a lot of work challenging yourself with the food, your body, and exercise. You're probably working on lots of other things at the same time, like stuff at work or relationship issues.

But, still, something doesn't feel like you're getting to the bottom of it. Grab my free journal prompts below and begin to work through the emotions of healing.

Subscribe & Leave A Review! 

If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing with someone who may need help. Click here to open this show in iTunes and leave a five star rating and review.