Overweight and Not Doing Anything About It?

Are you overweight, aware of it, and not doing anything about it? I am asking because this is a painful place to be and yet I know many of you are in this place.

Of course there are overweight people who choose to stay that way. The fat acceptance people say, "I'm fat. I'm beautiful. I choose to stay this way. Deal with it." That's fine for them. I'm talking to those of you who would say, "I'm fat. I'm miserable. I hate being this way, but..."

I'm wondering about those of you who would like to change it but... Some "buts" I've heard are: but I can't lose weight, I try but never get anywhere, but I don't know how, but I don't feel like it, but I don't want to/or can't exercise, but I don't want to keep food records, but I don't want to change what I eat. Essentially what I hear is, "I'd like to lose weight but I don't want to do the work."

In addiction medicine the theory goes, "The pain of the addiction has to be greater than the pleasure before one is motivated to change." I believe this theory applies to food and losing weight. The pain of being overweight, and all the negatives associated with it, has to be greater than the pleasure of the food before one is ready and willing to change.

It is difficult in the moment to imagine how much better you will feel 10 lbs., 20 lbs., or even 100 lbs., lighter when you are faced with yummy food choices right now. Weight loss takes time and the food is here right now.

If you're in this painful place, let me know, let the readers know, and I (we) will see how we can help you move past it.

That's it for now. Good luck and let me know how you're doing.

If you'd like to participate in the research for Irene's new book about the process of weight loss, please visit http://www.eatingdisordertherapist.com/ and take the survey.