Fostering Positive Body Image in Weight Management: Insights from a Registered Dietitian
Positive Body Image In a world bombarded with conflicting messages about weight and body image, it is crucial to seek guidance from experts who can provide evidence-based perspectives to give you a Positive Body Image. As a registered dietitian, I have immersed myself in the world of weight management and body image over the past 26 yrs, blending scientific knowledge with a compassionate approach. In this blog, I will be exploring a few different areas of balanced nutrition, mindful practices and enabling self-acceptance. With my expertise in this area, I hope to encourage individuals to believe they can too reach these goals. The Balancing Act of Weight Management: Weight management is a delicate balance between nurturing our bodies and maintaining a healthy weight. Instead of succumbing to fad diets or quick fixes, the focus I believe is on sustainable lifestyle changes that support overall well-being. As a registered dietitian, and a Hashimoto’s sufferer myself (Gillians Story) I promote a comprehensive approach that encompasses fixing the gut, checking bloods, balancing nutrition, portion control, regular physical activity, mindful eating and much more. By embracing this full-body holistic perspective, we can release the handbrakes and build a healthy relationship with food and establish habits that nourish both our bodies and minds. I firmly believe in focusing on internal well-being from the outset and the rest will fall into place. A great analogy: Just as you don’t fix the exhaust when you see blue smoke, but rather fix the engine, the same is true for our bodies. The first step… Is by making contact and believing you are good enough to make the changes with professional help. Nurturing Positive Body Image: Positive body image is not solely defined by societal standards, but rather by our perception of ourselves and how we feel in our own skin. I’m familiar with society’s unrealistic standards of beauty, and the negative effects this has on people. In the 80s, when I was growing up magazines featured skeletal models, sharing harmful advice and contributing to a culture of self-loathing. We’ve been exposed to this kind of advertising while shopping, socialising and browsing online. It has been actively encouraged and continues to be an integral part of the digital experience. By self-compassion, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences, we can begin to redefine body image on our own terms. This journey towards positive body image is not straightforward or easy, but it starts with us all, men and women, acknowledging our worth beyond physical appearance and embracing our unique qualities. I have had the privilege of helping and watching thousands of people move from being stuck fearful, depressed and alone to taking control, finding their inner harmony and sparkle with life again as they emerge from feeling trapped. It is honestly the best feeling ever. Empowering a Positive Body Image through Education: Education plays a pivotal role in transforming our understanding of weight management and body image. With over 25yrs of sifting right from wrong, my role has never been more important as I provide my patients with personalised, accurate, and reliable information about nutrition, debunking myths and misconceptions that often fuel unhealthy behaviours. Understanding the science behind weight management allows for informed choices, and healthier eating patterns, and allows for realistic goals that work with our individual needs and preferences. Education equips us with the tools necessary to navigate the complex landscape of weight management and body image with confidence. Cultivating a Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive environment is vital in the journey towards positive body image and sustainable weight management. Toxic people and toxic messages are hugely influential on all ages, social media driving this every minute of every day. Definitely surrounding ourselves with people who inspire and support us can build resilience and reinforce the importance of self-care. By seeking professional guidance from registered dietitians and engaging in support networks, you can navigate challenges, celebrate achievements, and share experiences in a safe and understanding space. Conclusion: Weight management and body image are multifaceted topics that require a nuanced approach. With my experience and qualifications as a registered dietitian, I know what works. A balance of a healthy gut, optimal nutrition, being active, mindful practices, and self-acceptance is the first level, If required blood testing and genetics (nutrigenomics) may be required to work a little more under the bonnet! Remember, you are not alone in this process. Seek the guidance of registered dietitians and surround yourself with a community that values your well-being beyond societal expectations. Together, we can unlock the handbrakes to assist any concerns you have with your weight and build a strong and positive body for a happier, healthier future. So, what to do next or anything else.. If you are needing help with your weight and body image worried you have a poor diet or ongoing stress and wish to change your eating habits or need help optimising the foods you eat and are not sure what programme to select, please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition-related queries big or small. If you want to book your programme TODAY we would love to help you. You can book a 121 Dietitian Programme today by clicking on the link below If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Do visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. If you are interested in how I overcame my Thyroid Autoimmune Condition do check out the About section below Before you go please check out our 121 Dietitian Shop created specifically for optimising your health. Gillian x
Wegovy – New Diet Drug
Wegovy – New Diet Drug 121 Dietitian is excited by the launch of the New Diet Drug Wegovy for weight loss and obesity. A game changer for weight loss, but not without consequences. If you decide this is for you, you need to ensure you get the maximum results possible. As weight loss experts 121 Dietitian wants the best for you, we are seeing a massive push on online prescribing. What support do you get with this????? In most cases, it is lip service and not personalised. These drugs are not a quick fix, they are expensive, require 18 months of time commitment and stop working when you don’t inject. So what can you do? How to get maximum results with Wegovy- new diet drug If you decide Wegovy is for you. You may be surprised to read that the only way to get maximum results is by working with a Specialist. Dietitians like us here at 121 being the gold standard! Wegovy is not the golden ticket to weight loss. We know and have many years of experience assisting thousands of people with optimising their diet and health for life. Wegovy what you need to know As a Dietitian for nearly 30 years, I have watched many drugs come and go regarding weight loss. Wegovy is one of the newer kids on the block. Big breakthroughs have been the headlines over the years and many people eager to get their hands on the latest launch, pay big bucks for something they know nothing about. Creating drugs to allow for a substantial amount of weight loss without serious side effects is the dream for many pharmaceutical companies and many attempts have been made. In this blog, I hope to provide you with all you need to know about these medications the positives and negatives of taking these drugs and what alternative may work better for you long term. How Do These Anti-Obesity Drugs Work? In normal digestion, the gut secretes hormones after food intake, stimulating insulin secretion. These pharmaceutically created peptides (Wegovy) mimic these same gut hormones and provide more GLP-1 to flood the system and allow for additional weight loss. Wegovy and Mounjaro work differently in the body but both keep you fuller for longer by delaying gastric emptying, increasing insulin sensitivity, decreasing glucagon, and reducing high glucose levels. Both drugs reduce triglycerides, LDL and raise HDL cholesterol, along with reducing blood pressure. Who is eligible for Wegovy? Wegovy is intended for use by adults aged 18-75 who have a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above AND a weight-related health condition such as (asthma, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, a history of certain cancers, osteoarthritis or gout, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Side effects of Wegovy – New Diet Drug Something that is often overlooked or underplayed is the side effects of drugs. For Wegovy and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) include nausea vomiting abdominal pain constipation diarrhoea There is a concern of 4.5 x higher intestinal obstruction in 25,000 people studied. Fatigue and headache are also very common, mainly as doses increase. Other common side effects include: feeling lightheaded excess passing wind gastroesophageal reflux injection site reactions hair loss hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes Less common side effects have been noted with these drugs including allergic reactions gallstones (which can occur with a large amount of weight loss) the potential of medullary thyroid cancer You are also at risk of acute kidney injury. In rare cases, there can be serious side effects, such as pancreatitis or anaphylaxis. A list NOT to be ignored. How is Wegovy Given and Practical Considerations Wegovy (Semaglutide), is in a prefilled self-injection delivered under the skin in the arm, abdomen or thigh. 0.25 mg for a month, increasing monthly to a maximum dose of 2.4 mg in the 5th month. It takes a year to 18 months to have full effect. As with any medication, there are positives and negatives and I have spent most of the last 15 years in my clinics trying to reduce my patient’s medication lists where possible! I am aware however that some medications are beneficial, and it is a major hope that these drugs will genuinely assist in weight loss for the select individual. One thing for sure is that they do seem to be a better option than bariatric surgery which is a blog for another day! Currently, the hype is big and no doubt we will find out more as time goes by, but for now, I prefer to recommend you don’t get swept up too soon and spend extortionate amounts of money without doing the following first. Wegovy -Work with a Dietitian Obesity is a complex, chronic disease with multifactorial causes, and taking a drug and expecting life-changing weight loss is too simplistic. For those seeking to improve their health and lose weight and really stuck these drugs may be a short sharp kickstart but no more. It is clear from the research that when people stop taking Wegovy/Ozempic, they rapidly regain the weight. It is very expensive and there are important issues that need to be highlighted regarding everyday considerations like how alcohol impacts blood sugar control, fasting, health risks and other medication interactions. Verdict on Wegovy – New Diet Drug As a Dietitian, I have been asked repeatedly about weight loss drugs. I always consider all options and for the greater good of all who may be thinking about using these and believe in working on lifestyle, diet and fitness interventions first or alongside any targeted medication. I am concerned that vulnerable people who are really in need of significant weight loss may need to stay on Wegovy indefinitely in order to maintain any weight loss achieved, and this definitely raises concerns about long-term use. As 121 Dietitian offer weight loss services it is something for you to consider. You can invest in a 121 Dietitian programme, the
