When summer comes around, we’re bombarded with messages to “lose weight for bathing suit season!” or to “try the next life-changing diet!” It doesn’t feel very good, does it? Instead of sustainable advice, all it does is create shame and pressure to look a certain way. That’s not how we should be addressing weight management.
Weight management is deeply personal and complex.
The challenges surrounding weight are physical, but they’re also connected to our emotions and personal belief systems. It can be caught up in our confidence, stress, energy, or relationship issues. It’s also connected to many different bodily symptoms, from our digestion to our hormones.
That’s why, at Faithfully Guided, we don’t believe in “losing weight to get healthy.” We get healthy to lose weight. By focusing on habits that support your full-person health (rather than simply shedding weight quickly), you set yourself up for a much healthier and more enjoyable lifestyle. Only then can you truly improve weight management.
Below, we’ve outlined 3 weight management tips that prioritize your long-term health in mind, body, and spirit—not just bikini season.
1. Incorporate Strength Training
Did you know we lose 1% of our muscle mass on average every year after the age of 35? When this happens, it slows the metabolism, but we can combat it by enjoying regular strength training. Try scheduling 2–5 sessions of strength training per week. You can use bodyweight exercises, weights, resistance bands, or a combination.
2. Enjoy More Complex Carbs
Despite what the old weight loss magazines might have said, carbs are good! Our body uses the glucose in them to create the energy we need to function and thrive. With that in mind, complex carbs (e.g. whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruit) release glucose more slowly, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce fat storage, and keep you energized longer. We recommend adding a complex carb to each meal. You will feel more satisfied between meals, which means less snacking.
3. Build a Stress Resiliency Practice
One of the most overlooked aspects of weight management is the emotional side. When you’re stressed, the body responds with hardwired coping mechanisms, and you may make choices that don’t support your future self or weight management goals. For example, if you’re overwhelmed and tired, you might avoid preparing a healthy meal and reach for a quick processed snack instead. Or you might skip the hike you had planned with a friend.
The Emotional Side of Weight Management
Consider expanding your capacity to tolerate stress and discomfort with these daily practices that can one day become healthy habits you enjoy:
- Experiment with prayer, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
- Prioritize sleep hygiene
- Journal about your thoughts and stressors
- Invest in therapy with a Christian counselor
- Enjoy regular time in nature
- Explore our restorative services like Brainspotting, Cold Plunge, or Alpha-Stim
Reflect on these questions and consider learning healthier ways to tolerate stress:
- Do you live in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze?
- Do you often respond with anger, fleeing (escaping or avoiding the situation/stress), or dissociating (numbing or checking out)?
- Do you often make decisions based purely on emotions or pleasure-seeking?
If you’d like in-depth support on your weight-related or other health goals, we’re always here for you. Learn more about our approach to weight management.
| How are Faithfully Guided visits different from medical appointments? 1. More time dedicated to your health: You receive a full 30 or 50 minutes per visit. This allows us to provide a comprehensive evaluation and individualized strategies. 2. We look for the root cause: Rather than simply masking symptoms, we look for the true source of your concerns. We consider your lifestyle and how your mind, emotions, and different bodily symptoms are all interconnected to find answers. 3. Avoid unnecessary medication: Medication has its place, but sometimes it only offers a surface-level solution. We develop a thorough understanding of all your concerns before directing you to a prescription. We also empower you with integrative options that reduce side effects and lead to long-term changes. |
Is it time to experience whole-person care? Inquire about becoming a client or schedule an appointment.
Wishing you abundance,
Ashlee Seek & Jamie Schofield
Co-Founders & CEOs
