Another trap of thinking is to assume that losing weight is about 'getting yourself in order', and that once this has been achieved a person can return to their old lifestyle while still remaining slim. Carrying out a so-called 'weight-loss treatment' involves a strenuous but time-limited effort. Sometimes this time is predetermined, as in the case of specific diets (e.g. "5 kilos in one week!", "10 kilos in three weeks!", etc.), other times it is linked to achieving a specific weight loss ("until I lose 7 kilos"). The goal in both cases becomes getting the right number on the scale. Even if weight loss is accompanied by many sacrifices, these are sometimes mitigated by counting down to the "end" of the diet and fantasising about the figure of one's dreams and feasting on products that are "forbidden" during the diet.

The natural consequence is to end the diet when the target weight has been reached, or when continuing the diet becomes too burdensome and unsuccessful. There is then a return to so-called 'normal' eating. This boils down to a return to old, unhelpful eating habits and the cessation of physical activity - if it has been introduced at all. As a result - in a shorter or longer period of time - the weight returns to the starting point and sometimes significantly exceeds it, which has been called the "yo-yo effect".

Negative attitudes, unrealistic beliefs and misconceptions are not conducive to successful treatment of obesity. This situation is akin to setting off on a journey with an outdated map, an inoperable car and to a place that looks very different in reality than in the stories.

Unfavourable circumstances

It is used to say that to want is to be able to do, so if a person really cares about something, they are able to achieve their goal. In the treatment of obesity, the greatest influence on success is, of course, the patient himself - his attitude and compliance with the recommendations. However, the importance of other factors - the social environment, general health or economic conditions - cannot be overlooked.

Dieting generally makes it more difficult for people to function in social situations. Slimming people usually feel a great deal of awkwardness associated with their food restrictions. It is particularly difficult to attend social gatherings where food is the primary attraction (e.g. parties, barbecues) or to refuse when one is ceremonially served food (e.g. company celebrations, invited dinners). Weight loss sufferers develop a number of strategies to cope with these impediments: avoidance (refusing to attend social gatherings), submission (interrupting the diet for the duration of a social gathering), confrontation (officially communicating the weight loss and dietary restrictions adopted), excuses (explaining lack of appetite, stomach ailments).

This type of behaviour can be effective, but it tends to cause great discomfort to the person using it and often to other people in the company. Moreover, they are not sustainable over the long term, as they result in a nagging sense of 'otherness', of being hurt, of being restricted, of being excluded from social life. The attitude of those close to the weight loss - family, friends, acquaintances - is also important in this case. This can take the form of social support, such as understanding, encouragement, praise, preparation of low-calorie meals, etc. However, it can also involve dissociation. However, it can also involve disapproval and even discouragement or harassment of the person losing weight.

Recalling previous failures, exposing to dietary temptations or minimising the effects can effectively discourage even the most initially motivated person from losing weight. The most negative impact comes from negative family attitudes. Allegations of excessive self-care (e.g. going out for gymnastics, walking, grooming) or spending money on oneself (e.g. on low-calorie food, swimming pool, new clothes) can be very painful, especially for women.

Another circumstance that makes successful treatment of obesity difficult is the presence of concomitant diseases - both somatic and psychological. Diseases of the body can clearly impair general functioning, worsen mood, require the use of appetite-enhancing drugs, make physical activity difficult or impossible, etc. However, there are also a number of disorders related to the psyche or emotions that can equally impede weight loss. These include depression, neurosis, psychological bulimia, compulsive eating syndrome, night eating syndrome, among others. If such ailments are present, it is advisable to treat them first and only secondly to start a weight loss treatment. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the treatment undertaken may prove to be very low and disproportionate to the efforts made.

Mention should also be made of material conditions, which are an important factor supporting or hindering weight loss. Limited financial resources make it difficult to purchase certain foods, especially when the slimmer has to take care of the daily diet of the whole family and prepare meals in such a way that limited funds meet the needs of all members of the household. Also the use of paid physical activities, such as swimming pool or aerobics, becomes more difficult, as does the purchase of new clothes when weight is clearly reduced.

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