13 Jun Dealing with emotional issues of having a lot of weight to lose

If you or someone close to you decides to try to lose a lot of weight, the emotional issue can be just as tough to deal with as the physical ones.
Here are four tips to overcome the doubts and concerns that understandably will come with trying to lose a large amount of weight:
* Find the right training environment – You may not want to go to a coed gym to train because of being self conscious about your extra weight. That’s perfectly understandable. In that case, train on your own or perhaps women may want to consider joining a club such as Curves, where there will be a more supportive environment.
The privacy of working out in your own home can also be a great place to exercise. It may take even more willpower at home, though, because there are more distractions and you may not have someone there to push you.
* Put fears to rest – The single toughest part of losing weight for obese people is often just making the commitment to do it.
It’s natural for people to be self conscious, fear injury and be intimated by the challenge. Some aches and pains may also come up as you go.
However, consider the alternative – living a shorter life and dealing with major health problems down the road.
* Seek professional support – Do not embark on a new exercise program if you’re obese without consulting with a doctor. You should also work with a trainer and/or dietician to get additional support.
Unfortunately, many overweight people lack self-confidence, but they should know that by improving even a little each day, week or month they can see great benefits down the road.
* Start slow – Understand you don’t have to walk briskly or jog on the treadmill right away, or even in the first few months. Build up gradually and re-establish goals as you go along.
At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com