Nurturing a Healthy Relationship with Food: Why Medication Alone Isn't Enough
While weight loss medications will help weight loss, they can't fix an “unhealthy” relationship with food. What is the exit strategy? How can you make the outcome of this different from a fad diet? These medications have the ability to eradicate our obesity epidemic, but only if you stay on the meds. Is that an option? Maybe it is, and, maybe it’s not! So the choices you are making right now, the changes you are experiencing right now need to be ingrained in you. We do everything the way we did yesterday 47% percent of the time. We need to be intentional and stay awake while we are going through our day. (It’s possible and you can do it.) It’s important to understand that sustainable weight management is about more than just the number (body fat) on the scale. It involves addressing how we think about and interact with food, it is about why you eat.
An unhealthy relationship with food can manifest through behaviors like emotional eating or binge eating, where the enjoyment of food in the moment, outweighs the discomfort felt in one's body afterward. Eating behaviors are often rooted in deeper issues that medications can't fix. Relying solely on medication without addressing these underlying problems can lead to frustration, dependence on the medication, and weight gain,
I really want to help and I can teach you how to make these changes. Applying those Six Simple Rules from the Kim Shapira Method, are designed to do just that. Have you read, "This Is What You're Really Hungry For,” it’s a great place to start. From there, you can apply them using the Wellness Journal and start to build a healthier relationship with food. By focusing on eating when you are hungry, choosing foods you love, foods that love you back, and eating mindfully without distractions, I love to help people create lasting, positive habits.
It's also important to remember that health is about more than weight. Mental well-being, physical fitness, and overall metabolic health are all key parts of the picture. An approach, that includes good nutrition, behavior changes, physical activity, and emotional support, is essential for true, lasting health. Think 40 is the new 20ISH!
I meet all kinds of people looking for help with weight concerns. By guiding each of them through balanced nutrition, mindful eating, and regular physical activity, I empower them to make choices that support their overall health. This empowerment is the key to building a positive relationship with food.
The "nutrition noise" in society can make it hard to focus on what really matters. There's a lot of pressure to follow certain diets or achieve specific body ideals, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors. I focus on finding peace with food and health and encourage people to listen to their own bodies and needs, rather than external pressures.
Finally, being supported by medical professionals while on weight loss medications can be part of the solution for some, they're not enough on their own. Let’s start with an emphasis on trust, balance, mindfulness, and self-care, which provide a strong foundation for lasting health and well-being. I encourage you to keep continuing to educate yourself, and as always, reach out if you have questions.
Xx,
Kim
