A Change of Mind: Using CBT for Successful Weight Loss

When it comes to trying to change your diet and reach your health goals, you may feel like you already know what you should be doing (or not doing), but you just lack the motivation or willpower to follow through. This is common for people who really struggle with eating disorders or are trying to lose weight. If you battle with self-defeating thoughts and feelings that interfere with achieving your health goals, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could help.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought about oneself and the world are challenged in order to alter unwanted behavioral patterns. The CBT model says thoughts lead to feelings, which then lead to behaviors. Kristin Walsh, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at LWell says CBT can “empower the patient and give them a sense of control.”

It’s common to have setbacks, but it’s more important to come up with proactive planning to help lower the number of setbacks you may face. You may have dealt with body shaming, forced to diet as a child, have a fear of eating in front of people, or consider many foods to be “unsafe.” If any of this resonates with you, the team of health experts and coaches at LWell can help with a variety of therapies and programs designed to incorporate CBT into your wellness journey.

This article was adapted from the LWell Program of Excellence “Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Dietetics” recorded live on 8/5/21.

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