Lesson 4: I Gain Weight Looking at Food!
Have you ever heard the saying you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been? This certainly applies to losing weight.If you don't take the time to look at your history with weight loss and feelings about weight loss, you will set yourself up for failure.Why Me?Almost anyone with a weight problem knows someone who makes them simply green with envy. You know who I'm talking about -- that person who seems to just eat and eat, but never seems to gain a pound. Frustrating, huh? (Particularly if that person eats all the foods you love but must avoid!)Makes you feel bad, doesn't it? Makes you want to blame someone, right? What do you say to yourself to make it all better?Yes; I've said it myself: "I gain weight just looking at food!" This outcry usually happens as I watch someone who wears a single digit size eating a doughnuts while I munch away at a stalk of celery. Thinking this way makes me feel better for a moment, but deep down I know that it's simply not true.It's very difficult to know the exact reasons why some people gain weight so easily while others seem to be practically immune.Restraining yourself while you watch others indulge without gaining weight can be maddening, but the truth is, your weight will always come down to your own eating choices and exercise habits; fair or not, weight gain is unique from person to person and always will be.Face the TruthTake a moment to consider: Perhaps that person makes it a habit to exercise intensely every day. Maybe they have a "cheat" day now and again, but otherwise they eat healthy on a daily basis.And remember, metabolism greatly affects a person's tendency to lose and gain weight; it is far less controllable than eating and exercise habits. You can strive to achieve a more slender person's eating habits or fitness level, but you just can't make their metabolism yours.What You Cannot ChangeThere are some factors in weight gain we simply have no control over. For example, some illnesses may lead to weight gain, such as Cushing's disease. Certain medications like steroids and antidepressants may also cause you to gain weight.Other underlying issues lead to gaining weight, such as genetics, thyroid problems, environmental factors, psychological issues, physical inactivity due to injury or illness, and eating disorders, such as BED (binge eating disorder).So before you begin trying to lose weight, you should see your doctor to rule out any contributing factors.
