6 signs of excessive focus on weight loss and why it's dangerous

Weigh yourself several times a day

If you're constantly stepping on the scales before and after meals, this behavior can worsen over time if you keep doing it regularly.

Nutrition expert Bonnie Brennan explained that weighing yourself once a week is enough.

Weight naturally fluctuates throughout the day, so it's best to weigh yourself in the morning after using the restroom or before breakfast to get the most accurate data.

Counting every calorie

Often, during weight loss, people start choosing foods solely based on their calorie content, ignoring important vitamins and nutrients, as well as their sense of satisfaction.

There is a fine line between counting calories and thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to an eating disorder.

To eat healthily, focus on filling half your plate with vegetables and fruits, along with lean proteins like chicken or fish.

You believe that being slim will solve all your problems

Focusing on weight loss to reduce the risk of health issues (like obesity) is normal. However, if you believe that life will be perfect once you reach a certain magical weight, this is an important signal.

Such unrealistic thinking can lead to failures in other areas of your life and prevent you from healthily working on your problems.

You have a special way of eating

Eating rituals can be another sign of an obsession with weight loss. You may use only a small spoon, eat at certain times, or chew food a specific number of times before swallowing.

These rituals cross a line when they are no longer a healthy way of eating, but rather a form of control.

Exercise is your priority

Regular physical activity is essential for almost all aspects of physical and mental well-being. But it can go too far.

People can develop obsessive or dependent relationships with exercise, where they find it hard to maintain a strict routine. This can lead to many negative emotions.

Some may overtrain in pursuit of weight loss, which can result in injuries from excessive strain, burnout, and exhaustion.

You feel more attractive when you weigh less

Often, people hold the belief that when they are slimmer, they are more valuable.

The impact of weight on self-esteem has obvious psychological consequences and can lead to the development of disordered eating as a predicted strategy for weight loss or control.

Signs of excess weight

It is important to understand that symptoms can manifest differently in different people, and excess weight can be a complex individual issue with its symptoms and consequences.

• increased weight – excessive fat in the body, expressed as an increase in body mass;
• shortness of breath and fatigue – dizziness and difficulty breathing during physical exertion;
• joint and back pain – excess weight can place additional strain on the joints and spine, causing pain;
• skin problems – the appearance of rashes and scars may occur;
• psychological issues – weight outside of the normal range can affect mental well-being, causing stress, depression, and low self-esteem.

Also, read about 5 reasons why diets end in failure and weight gain.

The article was written using sources such as the Health website and Integrative Primary Care.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.