It’s that time of year. Millions of people are making a resolution to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. For too many, those plans don’t last much longer than it takes to sweep away the New Year’s Eve confetti.
But that’s because your weight is shaped by many things: your metabolism, hormones, genes, and emotions, among others. And it isn’t just a matter of choice or willpower.
Embody, a new sister site to WebMD, “focuses on sustainable change — backed by clinicians and supported by a community that understands the journey,” says Solomon Masch, WebMD’s group vice president of product.
The Role of Mental Health in Weight Loss
When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, your thoughts and emotions can be just as important as how many steps you’re taking and the calories on your plate every day. Embody addresses “the emotional toll of weight stigma,” says Neha Pathak, MD, WebMD’s chief physician editor for health and lifestyle medicine. “(It) helps people navigate body-image pressures and social situations.”
The site’s goal is to give you tools to set realistic expectations throughout the weight-management journey, Pathak says. It also aims to support emotional resilience — the ability to take it in stride when you miss a weekly goal instead of giving up.
Important Elements of the Embody Website
Whole-person health. Embody is designed to give you the tools you can use to be truly healthy, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes behavior change techniques, stress and sleep support, and more.
Practical strategies. “Too many people are overwhelmed by conflicting advice or temporary fixes,” Masch says. Instead, Embody offers guidance that skips the tempting quick fixes and focuses on real solutions you can fit into your everyday life long-term.
Structure. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information about weight loss out there. Embody presents what you need to know, step-by-step in bite-sized portions, so you can take it in and use it as you go.
Expert-led guidance. Specialists in nutrition, fitness, psychology, and medicine review the latest science-based literature. They use what they discover to present relevant information and practical tips.
Workshops. Leading researchers and health care providers in the field of weight loss and management present up-to-date research and proven strategies. They include a question-and-answer session so you can ask about what matters most to you. These free events are available on both a live and an on-demand basis.
The Healthy Habits Project. This six-part digital course focuses on the science behind forming — and keeping — healthy habits. It includes lessons on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Community support. To reach any goal, you need the support of others. Embody features an active online community that understands what you’re dealing with and can help you feel less alone. Members can offer encouragement and share tips for things that have been helpful.
Sign up for Embody’s free newsletter and receive curated advice and strategies for your journey at https://www.youembody.com .