5 Complementary Therapies That Could Help With Weight Loss

5 Complementary Therapies That Could Help With Weight Loss

Let’s face it; nothing will work better to shift those unwanted pounds than diet and exercise. You eat fewer calories than you burn, and the weight comes off. Simple, right? Unfortunately, for many people, it is not as easy as it sounds. A lack of willpower, a desire to eat when stressed, and many other factors come into play regarding weight gain. A lot of people have tried and failed when it comes to counting calories and hitting the gym five times per week.

If you are one of those people, you may have considered trying something else. Here are some complementary therapies that could help with weight loss.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is one of the most popular complementary ways to reduce weight. Many multi-national groups such as Weightwatchers and Slimming World exist to help people lose weight, and they swear that their most successful members have benefitted from group therapy.

If you have not attended one of these classes before, it usually starts with the scary bit: being weighed in a roomful of people. Next, everyone sits down over a cup of coffee (no sugar) and talks about why they think they have lost or gained weight that week and how they feel about it. This latter part of the class is called group therapy.

Many people feel that they benefit from this because it helps them feel less isolated on their weight loss journey. They can share stories, pick up tips, and swap recipes in a room free from judgement with like-minded people. This type of therapy has become so popular since its inception in the 1960s that many of the best private health insurance providers include it as part of their package.

Talking Therapies

Sometimes, it is not the food that causes you to gain weight but the underlying issues that lead you to food. This is similar to the way an alcoholic is led to alcohol. Talking therapies, such as counselling, can help you uncover the root of your problems; in solving these, you will also solve your issues with food. Mental health has become a massive focus of attention recently, with many celebrities openly talking about their experiences. This has led to the de-stigmatisation of mental health issues, so help is more readily available.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a process whereby you un-learn how you think and behave, which has recently become trendy. It could work well if your weight gain derives from bad habits such as watching your favourite TV show while enjoying a large bag of crisps or stopping for a takeaway on the way home because you don’t want to cook. However, although CBT is available on the NHS, you may be on a waiting list. If CBT sounds like something you think you can benefit from, you may find that your health insurance policy covers it.

Visualisation

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right. Visualisation techniques teach you to focus on your goal and imagine yourself achieving it. It could be a dress you want to be able to get into or the number you want to see when you step onto the scales. You should remember that weight loss is a marathon rather than a sprint, and you should not try to lose a large amount of weight at once. Your weight loss will be more sustainable if you visualise achieving one smaller goal every week, as this will eventually lead to your end goal. Regular meditation can help you to achieve this goal.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is inserting thin needles into the body to activate pressure points. There are not many studies into its effects on weight loss, but those who believe strongly in it think it works by cutting off the part of the brain that stimulates hunger, reducing the appetite and increasing metabolism.

Unfortunately, none of these complementary therapies will likely eliminate the need for diet and exercise if you want to lose weight. However, there is no harm in trying one or all of these remedies. If you believe that trying a new type of therapy will help you lose weight and keep it off, then the chances are it will. One of the best tricks for losing weight is to find something that works for you and then stick to it. Good luck.

Welcome to Vivre Le Rêve, an online lifestyle magazine for all those who are or who want to be living the dream! I’m Rose, the lifestyle editor here at Vivre Le Rêve.