The Mayo Clinic suggests that many individuals who are trying to lose weight often benefit from behavioral support. If you struggle with motivation or negative eating or lifestyle habits, such as giving in to food cravings or leading a sedentary lifestyle, a peer support group may help you stay motivated. Support groups can help you learn new strategies for long-term weight loss and give you encouragement when you experience difficulties or frustration. Many support groups are publically available and do not charge fees.
Peer Support Groups
Support groups such as Overeaters Anonymous, which is free for all participants, offer dieters an opportunity to share weight-management goals, discuss their progress, and get peer advice and input. If you have a hard time sticking to your diet or meeting your weight-loss goals, support group meetings can help you hold yourself accountable to your meal and exercise plans. You may also find it helpful to have peers who relate to your issues with body image, self-esteem or personal stress, as all of these factors can contribute to emotional eating.
Group Therapy
Therapy groups are typically facilitated by mental health professionals as opposed to being peer-led. Some group therapy is specifically focused on weight management or body image, while other groups may be more generally focused on stress management or self-esteem. If you tend to overeat when you feel sad or anxious, you may benefit from a group that works on behavioral strategies for mood and stress management. While group therapy is often fee-based, a medical professional can likely help you find a professionally led group that is free of charge. Groups can often be accessed in medical settings or non-profit clinics where mental health professionals are in training or conducting research.
Online Chats and Forums
A variety of free diet websites, such as FitClick and BuddySlim, offer opportunities to pair up with other dieters or form special interest groups with peers (see Resources). BuddySlim, for example, allows users free access to groups, such as women of specific age ranges or people with specific weight-loss goals. Users can sign on the site and send messages and post questions or comments in discussion forums.
Expert Blogs
Expert blogs are often provided for free by medical centers and public health organizations. Weight-loss professionals offer current news on dieting and helpful tips regarding weight management. Many of these blogs allow readers to post questions or comments, and the writers often respond. Following a blog over the long-term and posting your own questions or experiences can be a valuable way to get free support from knowledgeable experts and dieting peers.
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