The 5 Core Beliefs that Cause Weight Problems

The dysfunctional ways we think about food.

Karen Nimmo
Published in
4 min readAug 19, 2020

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Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Do you struggle with your weight and body image?

If you’re a woman, there’s a 70–90% chance you’ll see your body negatively, depending on which of the many studies you dip into. And the statistics for men are rising too.

I’ve worked with many people who dislike their bodies — overweight, underweight and disordered eaters. And although the issues are different — those who struggle have surprising similarities.

In both overweight and underweight, the core beliefs are often the same — they just manifest differently.

And anxiety is ALWAYS a player.

It’s Not All About the Body

Aside from physiological cause and unhealthy habits, weight problems are always rooted in what’s going on in your head and your heart.

These may come from your personal history, for example the way food was seen and used within your family, or a traumatic event. Or they may be a response to stress, fear, or the feedback you’ve had from the world.

Most difficulties come down to five core beliefs that govern the way we eat, approach and handle life. Here they are:

1. Food keeps me…

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Karen Nimmo

Clinical psychologist, author of 4 books. Editor of On the Couch: Practical psychology for health and happiness. karen@onthecouch.co.nz