There is so much more than weight loss. It all comes down to how you define success – it’s not just the number on the scale. Even if that number doesn’t shift, you’re improving your health, thought distortions, boundaries, and so much more. In part one of this series, I talk about everything that is so much more than weight loss.   Thought Distortions and Weight Identify a thought distortion you have Apply it to areas of your life where it might be showing up How does this thought distortion impact your weight?   So Much More Than Weight Loss I believe that we are so much more than our weight, and, there is so much more than weight loss. I don’t define success in my programs as decreasing the number on the scale. Because there is so much more than weight loss happening. When you redefine what success looks like, you start to see things outside your physical weight as success: your cholesterol goes down, you don’t need as much medication, or you don’t feel as much pressure on your joints, for example. Another big piece of what I teach is that the number on the scale won’t actually change your current thought distortions. You need to work on your thought distortions. The first part of this is deep-diving into your “why” – all parts of your why.   Beyond Weight Loss I like to look beyond weight loss because so many women come to me with leptin resistance. Leptin resistance can make it more difficult for your body to release stored weight, even when doing everything we advise them to do. I personally believe that more people should seek out an obesity medicine specialist. Many don’t due to the stigma attached to obesity and weight loss. it’s time we drop that stigma and start doing what’s best for our health. Finally, I talk about your boundaries might impact your weight. If you’re not keeping your boundaries, you’re more likely to use avoidant tactics, like comfort eating, to ease your frustration. What does successful weight loss look like to you? Have you struggled with losing weight before? Let me know in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode  What happens when you redefine what success looks like [3:00] Why a number on the scale won’t solve your thought distortions [8:15] Why you need to spend some time asking yourself “why” [10:30] What you need to know about leptin resistance [17:00] What happens when you drop the stigma of obesity medicine [21:00] The relationship between boundaries and weight loss [26:15]   Quotes “Now that the thoughts are exactly the same but watch what it creates in terms of emotion. Disappointment, failures. We’re creating feelings based on this shiny new number that we think we want because the thoughts we actually have about that number are not that great.” [8:02] “What do you want that you don’t have? Because, if we break that down further, essentially, you’re believing something that is giving you that result. If we want a different result, we need to believe something different.”  [11:46] “I think the ultimate freedom is being able to move between all of the different ways, depending on what you need at the time.” [15:44] “There are all these other hormones involved, that if we’re not taking care of our stress, then we are going to have a very difficult time making progress towards our physical goals.” [24:58]   Resources Mentioned Transform 5.0 Interest List Check out the full episode page here Find Life Coaching for Women Physicians Online Follow Dr. Ali Novitsky on Facebook | Instagram  Subscribe to Life Coaching for Women Physicians on Apple Podcasts Podcast production by the team at Counterweight Creative   Related Episodes Episode 128: Rethinking Weightloss Episode 123: Why Your Diet Isn't Working Episode 124: Stop Discounting Yourself