People start to gain weight for various reasons such as thyroid problems, emotional eating, food addiction, or childhood trauma.
The first few pounds send a warning signal, but many people talk themselves out of it.
“Simple solution; when spring comes, I’ll start jogging.” “I’ll join the gym in the new year.” “I’ll go on a diet.”
Later, they no longer need to lose 10 pounds – now it’s 30 pounds or more.
They start a diet and exercise vigorously, and weight loss is achieved. Friends and family say, “Wow, you look great!” “Congratulations!” “I admire your determination!”
But…after they lose weight, they live with the anxiety that the weight will come back.
A friend described that she develops anxiety whenever she sees someone gaining the weight back. For a couple of days, she loses her willpower to keep going. “It’s like having a nightmare that it will all come back.”
Food addiction
There is so much information about the obesity epidemic. We are told not to eat processed food, sugar, and pop drinks. But many people do not realize that these products have been designed to induce food addiction.
Does it help to say, “Just quit,” to a drug, alcohol, or nicotine addict?
It’s time to look at food addiction as any other addiction and to promote solutions.
It’s time that our governments subsidize food addiction rehab treatments.
It’s time for parents to learn about food addiction that is caused by processed foods and fast foods.
Let’s not use our family time to wait at the fast food “drive thru.”