Fear of gaining weight?!

I know that sometimes weight loss is beneficial and needed in a lot of cases. I know that weight matters for a lot of us, including me. Being fit and having a nice body is almost everybody’s want. I admit that one of the reasons for me studying nutrition and health is to have a nice, fit body. And I don’t think that is an issue… looks matter no matter how much we deny it. However, if this turned into an obsession, the problem occurs. Weight was never a standard of beauty or health, and you will know why as you read this post. So if you fear gaining weight, this post is for you… there is a need to change our perspectives on how we look at weight, and determine our healthy status by relying only on it >>

I know that sharing advice copied from books does not represent reality. Why don’t we build a relationship with food?

Obesophobia

Fear of gaining weight is also called obesophobia. Obesophobia is considered an anxiety disorder. Being superly obsessed with weight, afraid of gaining weight, and having negative feelings toward how our body looks like. Even if you have a healthy weight. As a result, eating disorders and actions that could harm overall health.

Be careful if you are…

Someone with an intense fear of gaining weight may also over-exercise, be obsessed with calorie counting, avoid eating, dislike those who are overweight, weigh themselves excessively, or they could use laxatives or diuretics.

I understand that weight has been under the spotlight when you are determining your health status and action is required WHEN IT IS NEEDED. Self-control is a must and the addition of healthy habits is good, but don’t let it go to an extreme level because it will never do good for your health neither your weight “if that is what you care about”

What Causes Obesophobia?

This fear feeling of gaining weight does not develop overnight, and there is no single cause for it. It is a combination of factors that made that person obsessed with weight and impact his or her self-confidence…

• Weight Stigma is discrimination against people who are overweight or obese. Could come from the closest people like family and friends. A lot are stuck with these kinds of labels like ” you’re fat!!, LAZY!!”, lose some weight, UGLY”… I don’t blame them for feeling shame, worthlessness, and anxiety… Anyone would feel the same if he or she keeps pointed-out that way.

And by the way, a lot of nutrition experts were part of the reason for this phenomenon. Looking at overweight or obese as it is they are sinners!!! keep telling them that they need to lose weight, just because they are not matching the criteria of healthy weight… and it was never important!!!

• Diet Culture: I believe that each culture has its own belief of what each should look like. Some prefer women being chubby and others prefer skinny. These beliefs, eventually, will pressure anyone to look a certain way.

• Trauma: This goes under weight stigma. Some develop obesophobia after experiencing a traumatic event, which led to feelings of shame, anxiety, and fear.

All of these causes and more could impact how the person looks at him/herself. Making them care more about satisfying their preferences rather than caring whether you feel good about yourself, or are really looking after your health…

What’s important is…

I think you are THE ONE to decide whether you should lose, gain or maintain weight. because you are the one that can understand yourself. Build a close relationship with your body. It might sound difficult, but it is much easier than you think. You just need to act up…

One tip for you… just focusing on taking care of yourself will eventually make you healthy. This mindset, will make you move, think of healthier food choices, try new things, think positively… and more (read more in
5 Steps to Healthy Lifestyle: +BONUS )

Weight isn’t the only thing you can look up to determine whether you need to lose it or gain. Do you feel frequent headaches, dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, weak nails, mood swings, or pain?… These are much more important signs that you need to react to. Because these signs tell you if you are suffering from the inside more than the weight itself tells you.

Moreover, don’t try to run after trends and get affected by whatever people think about you.

 Health At Every Size (HAES) approach 

One thing that you need to understand in this post for sure and keep in your mind is that weight by itself does not tells you anything about health… You might meet those who are a little chubby, but light and have the stamina to run, work out and jump. And you might meet someone the opposite…

Here is an approach that tells you that is possible to achieve health at every size. This approach aims to increase awareness about size acceptance, and social justice. It aims to include, respect, and support all body sizes. Health At Every Size Approach bought attention to the importance of honoring our own body and respecting all the differences in our community, including the various body sizes.

Additionally, It makes you rediscover yourself and feel the inner cues of hunger and fullness. It helps you to find joy and pleasure in food and movement. Read more in Am I Hungry Or Bored?

An approach that I really want everybody to know. And I do respect all health experts that use it.

As nutritionists, our job is not to blame our clients for how they look like. They are here, the clients, for help, for therapy, for advice… I am sure that they had enough before visiting you…Don’t add to it… and be that trustworthy and reliable person. That genuinely helps them to ACHIEVE HEALTH.