Don’t Just Resolve to Lose Weight

The New Year has just begun and many of us have resolved to get rid of those extra pesky pounds. Unfortunately, according to the American Counsel on Exercise, only 5 percent of dieters are successful in keeping off the weight they lost. In fact, one-third of the weight people initially lost is usually gained back within the first year. People who want to lose weight and keep it off have to not only change their ways, but their way of thinking about food, exercise and lifestyle behaviors.

Diet is only one component of leading a healthy life. To lose and keep weight off, a person needs to stop focusing on the scale and start focusing on becoming a healthier person.

A great way to keep your resolution is to find someone or a program that will hold you accountable. At the Loyola Center for Fitness there is a program called Change Your Weigh that emphasizes three components needed for a healthier lifestyle: nutrition, behavior modification and exercise. Each component is led by a licensed professional who has received extensive education and training.

Participants meet twice a week for discussions focused on making healthy choices and a hands-on exercise session. Participants learn to shop healthfully, read labels and understand them as well as portion control.

Many people have the misconception that they have to feel deprived in order to lose weight when that is untrue. People need to learn to eat well, not starve themselves.

Still, eating right is only one part of losing weight. Diet and exercise need to go hand-in-hand and lifestyle behaviors need to be addressed. Behavior modification helps people to look at the issues that stand in the way of healthy eating and exercise. It emphasizes creating personalized strategies for addressing these barriers and obtaining success in their weight loss and lifestyle goals.

Many of us have emotional ties to food and to make a real lifestyle change people need to start thinking about the reason why they eat. Don’t be afraid to discuss emotional attachment to food and get help to overcome barriers.

Exercise is the third component for making lifestyle changes. Often, people don’t exercise because they don’t know how or where to start. A personal trainer can help by demonstrating different types of exercise, gives tips on incorporating exercise into daily living, explaining exercise guidelines and helping people learn how to get the most out of their exercise routine.

Also, don’t expect change over night. It’s a process so take it one step at a time.

Tagged as: weight loss, exercise, diet, American Counsel on Exercise and health

Dr. Anita Varkey is medical director of the general medicine clinic at Loyola Outpatient Center at Loyola University Health System. Dr. Varkey is an internist, researcher and professor who specializes in primary care, preventive medicine and women's health. "TCWell" focuses on health and wellness issues.