For most people, weight loss isn't a simple matter of deciding to get skinny. Instead, losing weight requires a gradual unraveling of the choices that led to the weight gain in the first place. You must then restructure your life around habits that support weight loss. This upheaval often requires changing what might have been considered acceptable or even encouraged behavior among family and friends. Networking with peers in a weight loss support group--people who understand what you're going through--can help ease you through the process.
Expert Advice
Weight loss support groups often are led by an expert facilitator, such as a registered dietician. Joining the group gives you an opportunity to regularly receive that expert's advice. Some groups also invite guest presenters to discuss topics of interest.
Members of a group sometimes learn as much from what others ask or share as from their own questions and experiences. In addition, a doctor might recommend attending a support group as part of preparing for or coping after weight loss surgery.
Understanding
As sympathetic as slender friends and family members might be, it's difficult for someone who hasn't struggled with weight to understand what you're experiencing. Joining a support group connects you with others who have intimate, personal knowledge of what it's like to struggle with losing weight.
But that's not all you have in common. Other members of the group are looking for a change, too. So you'll be joining people like you, who are looking for ways to build healthy new habits.
Brainstorming and Positive Peer Pressure
Odds are good that many people in the weight loss support group have learned what works and doesn't work the hard way, through personal trial and error. Joining such a group gives you access to the hard-earned experience of others, who might be able to suggest things that even the facilitator hasn't thought of.
The positive peer pressure also keeps you accountable. Once you're involved in a support group, the others will want to know how you're doing on a regular basis and will want to celebrate your success.
Member Comments