"Good" vs. "Bad"

Many of our patients will come in for their appointments, and if they have experienced a week in which they consummed more calories than they would have thought prudent, there will be a statement such as "I have been very bad this week". Conversely, if they followed the dietary plan to the letter, this may be an opening line: "I was really good this week". (Word of the day: Banquet)

I believe it is important NOT to attribute being "Good" or "Bad" to the intake of food sources. There is a certain psychological issue/issues involved in everyone's weight problems, and we should not think of ourselves as evil human beings for eating a Three Musketeers bar. We are still the same "good" person whether we have had a difficult week in losing weight or had an aggressive weight loss week.

Looking at ourselves in the mirror and thinking we are "bad" leads to self-loathing thought patterns and a sense of being a "failure". These emotions are not compatible with the mindset necessary to lose weight and feel happy.

Whether you lost 5 pounds this week or gained 3 pounds, you are still a "good" person. All this means if you gained weight is that you eed to make better choices for your food intake and exercise patterns.