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The Importance of the Weight Loss Support System
Ask anyone who has tried to lose weight and they will tell you that it’s
never easy. It takes determination and lots of will power. It is extremely
difficult because we are surrounded by the foods, snacks and beverages that
we love. You can’t watch television, listen to the radio, see a movie or
read a magazine without coming face to face with fattening foods. Old habits
are hard to break and snacking is one of the hardest. It’s difficult to
resist snacking when your will power is strong, but when it’s weak,
especially late at night when you are bored or feeling down, it’s almost
impossible.
We all want to learn how to lose weight and eat healthier, but it is
difficult to actually do either on a daily basis. That’s why a support
system is so beneficial. Your family and friends are there for you, but they
don’t always want to hear the trials and tribulations you are going through.
Through the Internet, you can communicate anonymously 24/7 with people who
are having the same problems as you. You can both give and get advice. That
support and encouragement will help you lose weight and keep it off.
Another effective tool for weight control is the face to face support group
meeting. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is one example. For $24.00 a year
plus local chapter dues, members can attend weekly support meetings at
10,000 TOPS chapters worldwide. They can weigh themselves, discuss problems,
and exchange recipes. Information about the program can be found at TOPS.org.
A similar program is detailed at WeightWatchers.com. A study
by the National Weight Control Registry revealed that people who lost weight
and continued bi-monthly support group meetings for one year maintained
their weight loss. Those who did not regained almost half of the weight.
The reason that both online and face to face support groups work is
accountability. You have to regularly share with other dieters information
about the foods you eat, the amount of exercise you do, and the amount of
weight you have lost. This will make you feel like you are in control of
your weight problem. If, for example, you report increased physical activity
and a resulting weight loss, you are motivating yourself and others to
exercise. In return, dieters can tell you how they lost weight through a
specific exercise regimen.
The following are just a few examples of weight loss support groups. Many
university medical centers and hospitals offer classes on diet, nutrition,
and weight loss for the general public. Church groups and schools may offer
similar groups.
MyAlli.com is a support site developed by the manufacturer of Alli,
Glaxo Smith Klein. It features a message board, which allows dieters to post
comments and questions about Alli to other dieters and receive feedback from
a panel of medical professionals. The site also features a FAQ section,
product information, and articles on weight loss.
Peertrainer.com is an independent weight loss support system. It is
provided at no cost and offers both online and face to face meetings in
select American cities. With its various groups and teams, dieters can
communicate with people who are on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South
Beach, Fat Smash and other diet plans. You have the option to start your own
group. There are also motivational articles on weight loss.
South-beach-diet-information.com is a similar site. Slim•Fast.com provides
its members with phone numbers to provide them access to customer support
and technical advice.
ThinMom.com is a support group paired with the Nutrisystems weight
loss system. It is primarily aimed at mothers who want to lose the weight
they gained while pregnant and get back the thin look they had in high
school and college. The support program offers weekly personal counselling,
online classes, monthly newsletters, bulletin boards and chat rooms. In
addition, members can take seminars and have access to health, exercise, and
dieting information.
There are also support groups for individuals who are planning or have had
surgery to lose weight. WeightLossSurgeryCenter.com offers chat rooms,
forums and a message board to allow people to get information about surgical
procedures, share experiences, and give and get advice. The Center also
offers seminars and face to face support groups. A university medical center
or hospital should be contacted for surgical support groups in your area.
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