Weight is something that most people have struggled with at some point in their lives. With so much choice and ease of takeaway foods, it is all too easy to fall into bad habits that can affect weight. Finding time to eat a healthy and balanced diet and exercise can be difficult when you work and have other responsibilities. 

Losing weight has a myriad of health benefits for your body and mind, meaning it is worth your time to create healthier lifestyle choices. Below, we look at how losing weight can improve self-esteem and mental health issues. 

How To Lose Weight Safely 

Before we look at the mental health and self-esteem benefits of weight loss, it is important to know how to lose weight safely. You should not follow any fad diets or start taking a diet tablet unless your doctor has prescribed it for you. Losing weight safely is about cutting down on portion sizes, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough exercise. Increasing your water intake can also help you to feel fuller for longer. 

If you are struggling with weight loss and portion control, meal replacement shakes are a terrific way to achieve your weight loss goals. You can drink a shake for one meal and eat a healthy and balanced diet for your other meals. Meal replacement shakes, such as the ones at Shake That Weight, are both nutritious and filling, meaning you can get all the nutrients you need while cutting down on your calorie intake. 

This is a safe way to lose weight and shakes only need to be taken until you reach your goal weight. You can then go back to eating for every meal, as you will be more used to smaller portions. As fad diets can cause mental health issues, it is best to stick to safe ways to lose weight such as this, otherwise, you could find yourself giving up and getting demotivated. Most diets are too challenging to maintain in the long run, leading to frustration and hunger that becomes too difficult to ignore. 

Weight Loss And Self-Esteem

Before we get into this, it is important to know that your weight does not need to impact how you feel about yourself. That being said, there is nothing wrong with wanting to change your weight and become healthier. You can still love yourself where you are now, as loving yourself will improve your chances of a successful weight loss journey. 

Weight loss happens when you choose a balanced and healthy diet, consuming foods that make you feel good. Fruit and vegetables can actually boost your mood, leading to better self-esteem. Exercise also makes you feel good, and when you feel good, your self-esteem is raised. As you can see, if you want to feel better, it isn’t about what you look like but what you feel like. 

Exercise is not about fitting into small clothes but getting stronger through weight training exercises or yoga. There is a lot you can achieve when you put your mind to it, and achieving a weight loss goal through lifestyle changes, hard work, and determination will ultimately boost your self-esteem as it will lead you to have more belief in yourself.  

Weight Loss And Mental Health Issues

For many young women, the pressure to lose weight and look a certain way can lead to several mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This article is not about losing too much weight, but about reaching a healthy weight for your body type. You can find out what a healthy weight is for you by using a BMI calculator. 

Obesity is linked to many mental health issues, and unfortunately, this can turn into a vicious cycle of eating to feel better and feeling bad about our weight. Consuming a high-sugar diet has also been scientifically linked to poorer long-term mental health. As losing weight means cutting down on high-sugar and high-fat foods, there is less chance of mental health issues. 

If you struggle with your weight, this can cause feelings of anxiety, especially if you are putting too much pressure on yourself to lose weight. With fad diets all over social media and celebrity magazines, it is no wonder that females develop body issues. Losing weight safely and making lifestyle changes to lose weight gradually will do wonders for your mental health now and in the future. 

Losing weight can improve self-esteem as you feel better about your food choices and consume foods that make you feel good. Weight loss can also benefit mental health issues, as being overweight is linked to poorer mental health overall. If you need help with losing weight, try using a meal replacement shake as a guide, or speak to your doctor for more advice.