Will losing weight make me happier?

Society places a lot of value on maintaining a thin figure. Thinness is often, but wrongly, associated with self-control, health and your ability to access and feel happiness.

Although weight loss can help improve your health and wellbeing, it isn’t a fix for insecurity, low self-esteem or poor body image.

Happiness is a feeling that is experienced when you are content, feel joyful or have a sense of fulfilment. It can be short-lived or long-lasting but isn’t necessarily linked to your size or weight on a scale.

Ask yourself:

• Whether your weight loss journey was and is personally rewarding or if it was for external validation.
• If you have managed to reframe negative thoughts about your body and self-worth in place of more positive ways of thinking.
• If you are comparing your weight loss to people around you.

If you notice that you are changing yourself and your appearance for others, struggling with negative self-talk or thinking that you haven’t achieved enough in comparison to others, then you may need to address your feelings.

Speaking to a therapist or keeping a journal can help you work through your feelings and change your perception of weight loss.

Yes. Even though the relationship between weight loss and happiness is complex, you might have noticed that your changing weight has positively impacted your health. You might feel stronger, fitter or have more stamina. Acknowledging this is important. It can make you feel better about your body and promote self-acceptance.

Weight loss isn’t straightforward. There are ups and downs that can make it challenging to navigate your feelings.

If you’ve reached your weight loss goals, you may feel under pressure to maintain your results. You might also be worried about receiving negative comments from others if you do regain weight.

Other people might strictly be focused on the reading on the scales or may not have dealt with the issues they have with their body image. This can make it harder to feel content with yourself and enjoy your body as it is.

If you're finding it difficult to cope, it’s important to talk about it. Your GP can listen to your concerns and help you with treatment, advice or a referral for therapy. You can also self-refer if you prefer.

If you’d prefer not to look for a therapist through the NHS, there is private help available. Here are a few directories you can access:

• Pink Therapy. LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and counsellors.
• The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network. The UK’s largest network of Black and Asian therapists.
• UK Council for Psychotherapy. Find a local therapist to support you and your wellbeing.

There are lots of ways you can improve your feelings of happiness. You can try:

• Doing things you love. Doing activities you enjoy can help boost your confidence, give you opportunities to connect with others and receive praise for the things you’re good at. This can help you recognise what you offer to others and how valuable your skills and talents are.
• Work on your mental wellbeing. Trying to work on your feelings of self-acceptance, stress and low self-esteem can make you feel happier. Using mindfulness tools or journalling can help you focus on yourself positively. Mind offers a range of guides and resources that you can use to think about and address any mental health concerns you might have.