Unhappiness and weight loss

Many people struggling with their weight also struggle with unhappiness.

Since weight is such a central aspect of our lives, we are constantly reminded of the discrepancy between where our weight is and where we would like it to be.

How often do you think about your weight?

Let me hazard a few educated guesses, when:

•  
  • getting dressed in the morning
  • walking up stairs
  • surrounded by friends
  • family gatherings
  • reunions
  • in social situations
  • giving presentations
  • you are the centre of attention
  • looking at photos of yourself
  • exercising
  • …share your ideas in the comments section

According to Dan Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist and author of Stumbling on Happiness, unhappiness is largely the result of our desire to control the uncontrollable.

Now, certainly our body weight is under our control but a number of factors affecting our body weight are not. Work stress, genetic susceptibility, family requirements, social settings, illness and injury are just a few items that are largely uncontrollable.

I wish Dr. Gilbert had a simple remedy to solve unhappiness but there is not. But simply recognizing that some factors of your life are not controllable can allay some of the guilt associated with previous weight gain or current struggles with your body weight.

Further, focusing your effort on those factors that you can control will more than make up for those that you can’t and ultimately result in a healthier and happier lifestyle.