In today's world, our reflections are constantly compared not just in mirrors, but through filtered selfies, online trends, and "ideal body" reels that flood our feeds. With so many voices telling us what we should look like, it's no wonder so many of us ask:
But here's the truth: there is no universal number that equals beauty, health, or confidence. For many, the real challenge isn't just shedding or gaining weight; it's understanding why we feel the need to change, how we relate to our bodies, and what it really means to feel "good" in our skin.
The Body Image Dilemma
Body image isn't just about how we look—it's about how we feel about how we look. It's shaped by family, culture, media, trauma, and even comments we heard as children. And often, it becomes the driving force behind weight-related decisions.
Whether it's an underweight girl trying to gain curves or a woman struggling with postpartum weight, the pressure to "fix" one's body can be overwhelming. But here's where it gets blurry: Are we trying to be healthier, or are we trying to be accepted?
Health, Not Just Weight
It's important to remember that fitness and health aren't defined by a number on the scale or someone else's body shape. Two people of the same weight can have completely different health markers, energy levels, or lifestyles.
This is where working with a qualified dietitian becomes essential. They assess your nutrition, metabolism, medical history, and lifestyle to help build a plan that supports your health and not just what society tells you to chase.
A 2024 study in India on obese women showed that when combined with group support and counselling, personalized diet plans led to better weight loss and higher satisfaction. Women lost not just Kgs, but also self-doubt — because they weren't doing it alone or blindly.
(Source: Allied Academies Journal, 2024)
The Mental Side of Weight Journeys
What most people forget is that weight loss or gain is just as much a psychological journey as it is a physical one. And this is where working with a psychological counsellor can be transformative.
Think about it:
- •Why do we emotionally eat after a stressful day?
- •Why do we feel like failures when we don't stick to a diet?
- •Why does seeing ourselves in the mirror make us uncomfortable, even when others say we look fine?
These aren't just food or fitness issues, they are mindset issues, self-worth issues, and emotional coping mechanisms. A counsellor can help:
- Identify your emotional triggers (like anxiety, trauma, or poor self-image)
- Address unrealistic expectations you've internalized from media or family
- Work with you on self-acceptance, even while you're working on your goals
- Help you build internal motivation — the kind that lasts longer than any diet trend
In fact, a 2025 Indian study on postpartum women found that those who received personalized psychological counselling in addition to lifestyle support lost over 3x more weight and reported higher emotional well-being compared to those who didn't get counselling.
(Source: PubMed India, 2025)
You're More Than a Goal Weight
Let's say that again: You are more than your weight.
It's okay to want to change, maybe to feel more energetic, more mobile, more confident. But real change is not about shrinking yourself into a "perfect" version. It's about growing into a version that feels strong, healthy, and happy in your mind and body.
So, Where Do You Start?
- •1. Talk to a psychologist: not just about food or weight, but about you.
- •2. Consult a dietitian: someone who won’t just give you a chart, but a path that’s sustainable.
- •3. Define your goals: not based on others, but based on how you want to feel.
- •4. Stay curious about your body: what does it need, what is it trying to tell you?
- •5. Celebrate the small wins : : consistency, confidence, energy, better sleep. These matter more than a number.
Final Thoughts
Your body is not a problem to be solved. It's a partner to be understood.
So instead of asking, "Am I the right weight?"
Ask, "Am I treating myself with the respect, care, and kindness I deserve?"
Because real wellness isn't about being thinner or curvier.
It's about being well; in your body, your mind, and your heart.
