Why body image matters: Weight loss won't automatically improve it.

Why is body image important?

A negative body image is depressing and can interfere with engaging in pleasurable activities. Beyond this fact, research shows that a healthy, realistic body image can promote successful weight loss. This might seem paradoxical, and you might ask, "If you like your body, why would you be unhappy with your weight and try to lose weight?" This question isn't without merit. But while it seems logical, it doesn't necessarily mean it's true. One campaign aimed at enhancing the body image of obese women found that when their body image and self-esteem improved, they didn't gain weight. My work has also found that overweight individuals with a healthy body image and no dieting mentality are more actively engaged in the changes needed for sustainable weight management.

Sara, a 38-year-old financial planner, is a great example. She participated in a body intelligence group I led. Although she was only 20 pounds overweight (BMI 28), she was very self-conscious about her body and avoided many social and recreational activities she could have enjoyed. After doing some of the body imagery exercises introduced in Chapter 8, she became less concerned about her body "imperfections" and spent more time engaging with others. She joined her workplace softball team, went dancing with friends, and felt more confident in social situations. Although she felt better about her body, her desire to lose weight didn't diminish. Participating in the activities she had previously avoided actually energized her and increased her motivation to consistently participate in the other parts of the program related to lifestyle changes. Her increased physical activity led to weight loss.

Once you've lost weight, a healthy body image increases your chances of maintaining that weight loss. Some studies suggest that weight loss itself may not improve body image. Even patients who have undergone significant weight loss surgery may still be dissatisfied with their bodies. People who were previously overweight are no different in their dissatisfaction with their bodies than those who are still overweight. Disliking your body may have become a habit, and even after losing weight, you may still be dissatisfied with your slimmer physique. Now that you're no longer focused on fat, you might be dissatisfied with stretch marks, wrinkles, the shape of your nose, or other less-than-perfect features.

The relationship between body image and weight loss goals

Losing weight doesn't guarantee an improved body image, so regardless of your current weight, you may need to work on improving your body image as well. Recall all those often unrealistic weight loss goals and expectations from Chapter 5. For example, even after losing weight through dieting, you might still be dissatisfied with your body. Think back to your last two very serious weight loss attempts, whether you joined a program or genuinely and diligently followed a diet. What happened? Were you happy with the results, or dissatisfied because, although you lost weight, a certain part of your body didn't meet your expectations? If you were disappointed with the results, what happened? You might ask yourself questions like, "If I've put in the effort and don't like the result, why bother trying?" The usual reaction is to give up dieting, regain the lost weight, feel like a failure, and become even more discouraged about your body.

Toni, a 48-year-old mother of two college-aged children, is deeply unhappy with her body. For much of her adult life, she's heard well-meaning but ultimately inappropriate comments like, "Your face is so pretty, if only..." These suggestions constantly remind her to find a solution to her 190-pound weight. Her husband, Bill, a successful lawyer and an avid weekend cyclist, has for years offered to ride with her, promising to keep her company and return if she gets tired. Toni usually declines, explaining that she doesn't want Bill to ride so slowly while waiting for her. In reality, she's too embarrassed to admit it; her biggest fear is how unsightly her bottom will look on the bicycle seat, a major reason she avoids cycling. For similar reasons, she avoids dancing and swimming when they travel annually. She also declines invitations from friends to go shopping for clothes.

Toni was an intermittent dieter. She achieved her greatest success with a low-carb diet, losing 30 pounds. While she was ecstatic about losing 30 pounds, she was still unhappy with her body. At 160 pounds, she disliked it just as much as she had at 190 pounds. She still felt too fat to ride a bike, dance, or go shopping for clothes. Despite her efforts yielding results, nothing changed in the end. After reaching a disheartening plateau, she succumbed to her cravings for pasta and leavened bread.

Review the body image test questions you checked off, and take a look at the list of activities you avoided because of weight issues. If you're already being held back by negative body imagery, it's beneficial to improve it before even starting to lose weight. This way, you'll be more motivated when you commit to controlling your weight; and when you reach your goal and are maintaining it, you won't get discouraged or tempted to give up. Chapter 8 will provide specific methods for improving body image, but before learning these methods, it will be helpful to understand how our society makes it so difficult to form a healthy body image.