‘It wasn’t complete torture’: Jacob Elordi on the psychological impact of losing weight as a group activity | Health News
Jacob Elordi is set to play a prisoner of war in Justin Kurzel’s upcoming series The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Preparing for the role required a strict weight loss regimen, but Elordi shared that he wasn’t alone in the process, that he had the help of his crew. “I think there was something quite profound that happened, it wasn’t complete torture. There was a peace that sort of came over all of us,” he told Variety.
In an episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Elordi also addressed the Internet’s nickname for him—Slender Man—owing to his noticeably lean appearance. According to him, the cast members were looking out for each other throughout the process, saying, “We were watching each other and taking care of each other, so it became quite primal. And I’m just really grateful to have shared that with these lads. You kind of reach a level of love that goes beyond what you’re used to, because everything gets stripped away and you come down to the bare bones of, ‘Is my mate OK? Am I OK? How can I help? Do you want a jelly bean?’”
This raises an important question: how does losing weight as a group affect a person’s psychological well-being? spoke to Kesha B Bhavsar, psycholog at Mental health Helpline, Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, to find out. According to her, weight loss is not just physically demanding but emotionally taxing as well. “Making weight loss a group activity provides a sense of accountability, which makes the process more effective and emotionally rewarding,” she said.
“One of the key psychological benefits of group weight loss is increased motivation, as people view it as a shared goal. Some individuals may struggle to stay committed when working alone but feel more motivated and enthusiastic when working towards a goal as part of a team,” she said.
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Referring to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Bhavsar said that a sense of belonging and attachment is one of the fundamental human needs. “Knowing that we’re not alone in facing these challenges fosters a sense of belonging and mutual understanding,” she said.
When attempting weight loss alone, motivation can wane, and discouragement can set in, leading to inconsency, Bhavsatr shared. “However, working towards shared goals fosters camaraderie and enhances commitment. Seeing others succeed can be reinforcing, keeping individuals motivated with the belief that they, too, can achieve similar results,” she said.
“Moreover, weight loss is often tied to body image issues, self-confidence, and personal insecurities. A supportive peer group that shares similar vulnerabilities can amplify the positive effects of the journey, making it more emotionally fulfilling,” Bhavsar said.
Since weight loss progress can sometimes be slow, it can also lead to stress and anxiety. Bhavsar pointed out that group-based social interactions provide an important emotional outlet, allowing people to discuss their challenges, offer reassurance, and share coping strategies. “Whether it’s attending fitness classes, participating in diet planning discussions, or engaging in group challenges, these social interactions help build a sense of community,” she said.
