If you struggle with weight loss and need help to develop a successful plan, you're not alone. According to the Mayo Clinic, many dieters get overwhelmed by fad diets and complicated weight loss schemes, and can benefit from nutrition education and professional support. A clear weight loss plan that focuses on healthy lifestyle and long-term change is often the most successful approach, and there are carefully researched professional resources that can help you.
Professional Support
The Medical Center at University of California, San Francisco notes that professional support can be key to successful weight loss. If you are struggling with poor eating habits, food cravings, or a tendency to binge, working with a mental health professional or nutritionist can offer valuable tools for behavior modification. You can learn to replace unhealthy foods with more nutritious selections, and how to avoid triggers that cause you to binge on junk food. A professional will also help you set weight loss goals, tracking your progress and evaluating your success.
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups offer an opportunity to get valuable advice and feedback from others who have experience with the challenges of weight loss. Websites such as FitClick or BuddySlim offer opportunities to network with peers and discuss weight loss topics. Community organizations, such as the 12-step group Overeaters Anonymous, offer group meetings in which participants set goals to stop overeating, reflect on their progress, and work toward healthy weight and nutrition.
Online Tools
Websites such as FitDay and BuddySlim are just two examples of online communities that offer free weight loss support. These sites offer tools such as nutrition resources, exercise and meal planning,and weight loss journals. Using the site for daily dieting organization can allow you to develop good habits regarding your nutrition and exercise. Many dieters also are motivated by seeing their results over weeks and months.
Expert Insight
Expert help and insight on weight loss is also widely available on health organization websites. The Mayo Clinic and The National Institutes of Health both offer extensive educational resources for weight loss that users can search, view, and even download. Many sites host expert blogs in which nutrition and weight loss professional offer news, tips and advice on successful weight loss strategies. Many bloggers respond to reader questions and comments, making their blogs a valuable resource for discussion and support.
References
- Overeaters Anonymous: Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous; 2011
- University of California, San Francisco Medical Center; Behavior Modification Ideas for Weight Management; UCSF Medical Center; 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss; Mayo Clinic Staff; 2009
- National Institutes of Health: Weight Loss and Dieting; 2009
- BuddySlim: Homepage; 2009
- FitDay: Homepage; 2011
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