weight loss and happiness

Do we feel happier when we lose weight? I think the answer is that when we intentionally lose weight and see the results, a much higher level of happiness occurs...we feel more energy...feel more youthful...feel more attractive to ourselves and others. We come off of medications, less back pains, exercise is easier, compliments from friends and family...all of these make us happier.

Compare that happiness to the happiness that ingestion of a high-caloric food source gives us...the immediate gratification of the food source quickly wears off leaving us self-loathing at times and not happy with ourselves at all.

You know what will make you happier...so pursue that goal of weight loss realizing that there is no doubt at all that the weight loss will make you ultimately much happier than any food source can bring you.

weight loss and happiness

First: to the issue of white wine and cooking.....once a week does not sound like a derailing event...sipping out of the glass nightly will!

Okay...to the subject this morning...does your weight loss bring a heightened level of happiness?

I suppose I do not see the entire cross section of overweight Amerifcans because by definition, people coming to our clinic are not happy with their weight and that is why they are taking time, effort and spending $$$ to have us help them in their quest. One great outcome of watching people lose weight over a three month period is observing just how much energy and happiness they exude over the course of the program.

For many, being overweight carries along with it medical co-morbiditiess requiring meds and doctor visits, unhappiness with the appearance, lower energy levels, low self-esteem and confidence etc. As the weight comes down, all of these issues improve and all told, the general level of "happiness" improves greatly.

So I do suppose for many weight loss increases levels of happiness. Short term a high-caloric food source may bring a brief moment of elation, but for the long term, weight loss kicks ass on a piece of chocolate!

weight loss and happiness

Defining your relative state of "happiness" is usually based on a number of factors...job satisfaction, financial stabilty, relationships, our family;s state of health and happiness and a number of other factors.

One of the components of happiness for many people is their own health and self-perception of "image". One of the really fun things for me in administering the Serotonin=Plus Weight Loss Program is watching the transformation of our patients during the program. Yes, the person starts becoming thinner, wearing more stylish clothes, using less prescription medications. However, im addition the "happiness" meter seems to go up tremendously. Overall, many patients who came in frustrated and upset leave their visits with a big smile on their faces and a new resolve to make this new image their permanent one.

Weight loss will make you healtheir for sure. But it also makes you happier. When we embasrk on a weight loss effort, usually we are somewhat "sad" because we initially perceive that we are being punished and deprived. The "act" of losing weight is not fun...but the end result brings much happiness.

weight loss and happiness

First, thank you for the blog comments..very insightful writings appear and I learn much from reading them and I know thatmany of my patients would beenfit from reading these comments as well.

As we all assess our relative sense of "happiness", many factors contribute to this....job satisfaction, relationship issues, performance and happiness of our children and family members, financial stability and many others. One of the most important contributing factors though is our relative state of health and self-image. If we are taking many medications, have serious medical illnesses, having side effects of medications, thelevel of "happiness" cannot go unscathed. Moreover, looking in the mirror and seeing a sight that makes you feel less self-confident, and even possible embarrassed will further erode your "happiness" levels.

Losing weight will make you happier...it really will. The word "jolly" has always been attributed to overweight people, almost like a Santa who always laughs. That is probably on the outside...there may not be much laughing on the inside. I will repeat this: losing weight will make you happier. It is a good choice and much more long-standing happiness than a food choice that instantaneously makes you feel "good" but wears off as quickly as it is eaten. Being healthier and looking younger will make you happier for years.

weighy loss and happiness

Many patients tell me that when they achieve significant weight loss their global sense of "happiness"improves dramatically. Feeling better physicially and feeling better about how you look goes hand in hand with increasing "happiness". The road to this goal is paved with barriers, saboteurs, etc., but the end result leaves you feeling happier in many ways. If we all know that the happiness levels improve, then why is America 65% overweight?

Instinctual human behavior patterns explain part of this. Intellectually, we know that losing weight is "good for us", but to some extent we are an immediate gratification species, and when a good looking food source appears, it is very difficult for us to say "no".

Always try to mentate the reasons why you want to lose weight and try to focus on your current "happiness" level now and how that would change when you reach your weight loss goals. This will provide you with impetus to "just say no" when those high-caloric food sources appear.

weight loss and happiness

Over the past several weeks I have seen a number of patients who have demonstrated, almost in a linear correlation, a marked improvement in their happiness that has paralleled their weight loss. When these patients first started our program, their mood was bordering on the clinical depression side. After signficant weight loss, the mood problem reversed completely, with an almost elated sensation occurring.

The improved physical appearance, higher level of confidence, more energy, positive feedback from friends and relatives, etc....all of these contribute to a person being happier when they lose weight. Coming off of medications for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and other medical entities associate with weight problems is yet another reason for improved happiness.

Yes, on an immediate basis, the ingestion of a dessert can make us happy...for a bit. BUT, weight loss will make a person happy for much longer.