How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help You Lose Weight
Have you been trying to lose weight without success? Losing weight is one of the most difficult things to do, but it is one of the most beneficial to your health and well-being. When other strategies have failed, it may be time to try psychology. The reason many people are overweight is because of a combination of genetics, environment and lifestyle. Lifestyle typically affects their own habits that they are unable to control.
Weight management experts have found success in helping patients lose weight through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy has worked for many patients who had previously given up on ever losing weight.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to adapt the way you think as well as your behavior. The goal is to end unhealthy patterns of thinking and encourage healthy thought patterns that in turn lead to healthy behaviors.
Cognitive behavioral therapy typically involves the following steps:
- Establish a specific goal you are hoping to achieve.
- Determine what is preventing you from reaching your goal.
- Learn strategies that help you overcome the obstacles to your goal. In many cases the obstacle is simply a negative way of thinking.
- Make changes to your thought patterns that help you change your behavior.
- New thinking and behaviors become habits that help you achieve your goal.
How Does CBT Help With Weight Loss?
While there are many factors that contribute to being overweight, unhealthy habits often play a significant part. Cognitive behavior therapy can help you change your unhealthy habits through new thinking strategies toward food and exercise.
Unhealthy habits may include overeating, choosing unhealthy foods, stress eating, or avoiding physical activity. Healthy habits include paying attention to hunger cues, stopping eating when you feel full, managing your stress in constructive ways, meal planning, and adding more physical activity into your lifestyle.
Your weight loss therapist can help you develop strategies that make it easier for you to make healthy choices. You can learn to recognize when you feel full, keep track of what you eat, eat on a schedule, and find activities you enjoy that can help you move more often.
What Does Cognitive Behavior Therapy Look Like?
CBT is a form of talk therapy, meaning you spend time in conversation with a psychiatrist. Sessions can be in person or in video conference format. You’ll talk about your current situation and the struggles you’ve had with weight management. Your therapist will listen and offer suggestions on how to change your thinking in ways that will lead to healthier habits.
Your therapist may also suggest group therapy, which tends to be more helpful for people who struggle with weight loss. It helps to know others who are facing similar challenges because they provide understanding, accountability, and tips that have helped them reach their own goals.
The purpose of CBT is to help you achieve your immediate goals and continue the positive thinking habits you’ve learned to help you achieve future goals you may set in life. You can learn to be your own therapist, catching yourself when you fall back into negative thought patterns and bad habits. You can remember what you learned and coach yourself back into the positive mindframe you need to be successful. You may still need the help of your therapist from time to time, and that’s perfectly normal.
The Weight and Wellness Institute Provides CBT for Weight Loss
If you’re looking for a weight loss therapist, the Weight and Wellness Institute, a program of South County Psychiatry, is ready to help you get started. We provide in-person and video sessions for your convenience. Millions of Americans struggle with weight management, but you don’t have to be one of them. You can change the way you think and establish healthy habits that provide lasting results.
To learn more, call 401-895-9937 today to schedule an appointment.