Mind-Body connection is key element in losing weight

December 2005 (Medialink) - If you’re like most people, getting in shape tops your list of New Year’s resolutions. But instead of joining a gym or buying pre-packaged diet foods, the key to losing weight--and keeping it off--might just be in your head.

According to psychologists, the mind and body interact in ways that are critical for long-term health. As your mental health declines, your physical health can wear down and if your physical health declines, it can make you feel depressed; that’s why when it comes to weight loss, dieting is not enough. In order to lose weight you have to feel good emotionally and understand your reasons for overeating.

About one-third of Americans are obese and more than 60 percent of us are overweight. Obesity and overweight are the results of multiple physical and psychological forces. While there may be genetic components to weight gain that we can’t change, there are lifestyle changes we can make that will reduce stress and have a significant impact on our weight and fitness.

So as 2006 approaches, you can try to walk it off, run it off, or bike it off. But if you don’t understand the connection between your mind and body, then you may never successfully keep it off.

To learn more about stress and its effects on mind/ body health, visit the American Psychological Association’s help site at www.apahelpcenter.org.