The Internet and diet books can provide a lot of help in your weight loss efforts, but sometimes, it just isn't enough. It can be hard to lose weight if you don't have a support system of friends and family cheering you on; but there are ways to create the "real world" support you need.
Consider the Options
Commercial Weight Loss ProgramsA commercial weight loss program can provide both structure and a sense of emotional support for your weight loss efforts. Weight Watchers, for example, includes group sessions, which can be a great source of encouragement and motivation. If the thought of weighing in scares you, don't worry: The only people who know your weight are the receptionist and/or the leader. So don't let fear of stepping on the scale deter you if you feel you would benefit from joining.
Support Groups
Find out if there is an Overeaters Anonymous or TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group in your area. These groups provide an environment much like a traditional support group. Overeaters Anonymous follows a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. TOPS is a less-structured group comprised of people following a variety of diets (based on their own preference and/or medical recommendation), who join the group with their doctor's approval.
One-on-One Support
Nutritional Help
Another option is nutritional counseling, seeing a registered dietitian, or your doctor referring you to a medically supervised, residential weight loss program.
A nutrition professional can help you in assessing your current eating habits and to plan a healthful diet that will help you lose weight. Topics covered may include keeping a food diary, nutrition education, recipe and menu planning.
Emotional/Mental Help
A licensed clinical social worker, therapist, or psychologist can be extremely helpful if you deal with emotional eating issues or you feel symptoms of anxiety or depression. Depression, anxiety, binge eating, food addiction and body image issues are often successfully treated with therapy.
Residential Weight Loss
Residential weight loss programs, such as Structure House, located in Durham, North Carolina, are quite expensive; two weeks costs just over $5,000. These programs include nutrition and exercise classes, and may sometimes offer one-on-one counseling or therapy sessions. The program's purpose is to teach participants the lifestyle changes required for long-term weight loss.
If you have attempted to lose weight a variety of ways but are unsuccessful, your doctor may refer you to a hospital-based weight loss program. Hospital weight loss plans are typically for those who are morbidly obese, meaning they need to lose 100 pounds or more.
A hospital-based weight loss program may require that you follow a very low calorie (VLC) diet. A VLC diet uses bars and/or shakes to provide each day's calories (These are not the same types of bars or shakes you can buy at the market.) People on VLC diets only take in about 800 calories a day therefore they should only be followed under medical supervision. VLC diets pose certain health risks, such as an increased likelihood of developing gallstones.
Help ... You Need Somebody!
The most important part of getting help with weight loss? Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for it. Few of us can succeed without taking a helping hand or two along the way.
Source:
National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Weight-control Information Network. ]WIN - Publication - Very-Low-Calorie-Diets. 18 Nov 2007.
