At the beginning of any weight loss journey, many people have expectations of a target or goal weight. How our bodies regulate weight is actually quite complex and we've learned that we have less control over our body weight than previously thought.
There are many factors that influence our weight, and it is largely determined by each of our unique set of genes and our appetite system. When we lose weight, our appetite system in our brain triggers changes that favor weight gain and actually defend against weight loss. Three important things happen when we lose weight:
- Our hunger hormones rise
- Our fullness hormones drop
- Our metabolic rate slows
It's because of this response to weight loss that we lose weight for a period of time, and then slows and slows and eventually plateaus. And then for most, starts to climb back up again. Hormones are incredibly powerful messengers in the body and they tell us to eat more calories so we can replace the lost weight. Some people have a stronger response to weight loss than others, making it more difficult to reach a goal or target weight and more importantly, keep it off over the long term.
Because of this biology, we encourage people to think about a Best Weight instead of a goal or target weight. Our Best Weight is the weight when we can achieve, at a level of effort that is sustainable and maintainable. Working towards our Best Weight requires focusing on the factors that we can control and influence. We can work on behavior changes that allow us to live our healthiest life in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable. We know we're at our Best Weight when we feel our best physically, emotionally, and mentally.
At MWM, we can help you discover your Best Weight to improve your health and overall lifestyle. Contact us to learn about how we can help.