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Home » Uncategorized » Why you should prioritize mental health on your fitness and weight … – Courier Journal

Rachel E. Buehner, Ph.D. and Alex Pruitt, Psy.D.| Opinion Contributors

At this time of year resolutions are tested and new fitness activities and nutrition behaviors are highlighted on social media. Many find themselves exhibiting unusual focus on what they eat and how they move. When faced with a goal like weight loss or changing ones fitness level, it can be easy to fall into the trap of strict, extreme, even painful behaviors that put mental and physical health at risk. Additionally, 80% of those engaged in excessive exercise and rigid approaches to nutrition will eventually gain back any weight lost. Consider former contestants from The Biggest Loser who eventually regained their lost weight. Extreme fads dont tend to work in the long run and can lead to worse health in the end.

More:'It's not a teenage girl disease': Eating disorders are rampant in Louisville

It can look different for each person but what can signal possible concerns for an eating disorder include:

Fixating on your appearance, perceived flaws, body weight or BMI, or on social media messages about fitness and nutrition can each also signal potentially disordered patterns. If you find that your moods or sense of worth are tied to the scale or minutes exercised, it may be time to consider addressing the emotional needs that may be driving disordered behaviors and thought patterns. Accessing mental health treatment when eating disorders develop is vital, as the mortality rate for anorexia is 20%, making it the second leading cause of death from a psychiatric disorder (behind opioid addiction). Early intervention is crucial.

More:Life expectancy for Kentuckians just dropped. Here's why and what to know

When undertaking a new eating or fitness program and seeking long-term success, a more holistic approach to getting results is through healthy behaviors (a robust diet of all kinds of food and joyful movement of body) and a self-acceptance mindset instead of a weight loss goal.

Other ways to achieve this goal are to examine ones day-to-day emotional needs, underlying belief systems about their own worth and attitudes about food (not deserving of food or needing to burn it off) and exercise as punishment. Mindfulness meditation encourages one to attend to their emotional state and to try and focus on the current moment, and is associated with a reduction in binge eating and emotional eating. Cognitive behavior therapy can also help identify and address the underlying beliefs about ourselves and our worth that can sometimes hinder our ability to find and maintain success losing weight and achieving a higher level of fitness.

Weight loss and fitness are not a panacea for low self-esteem. If you notice that liking yourself or treating your body well depends on what youve eaten or how youve exercised, it may be time to consider seeking out psychotherapy. Addressing underlying beliefs that may be an obstacle to your health can improve long-term outcomes on the scale and beyond. Nurturing your health is an inside job.

The Kentucky Eating Disorders Council (Phone: (502) 564-4456) offers guidance on accessing providers who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders. The Kentucky Psychological Association offers a Roadmap to Behavioral Health to facilitate access to quality mental health care.

Rachel E. Buehner, Ph.D. is the former President of the Kentucky Psychological Association. She is a licensed psychologist practicing in Louisville.Alex Pruitt, Psy.D. is a passionate advocate for body positivity and self acceptance by working with individuals with eating disorders. She is the Associate Director of Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. She currently serves on the Kentucky Eating Disorder Council and as Clinical Representative for the KentuckyPsychological Association.

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Why you should prioritize mental health on your fitness and weight ... - Courier Journal

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Home » Uncategorized » Why you should prioritize mental health on your fitness and weight … – Courier Journal