Canada 
Alberta 
British Columbia 
Manitoba
New Brunswick 
Newfoundland Labrador 
Nova Scotia 
Ontario 
Prince Edward Island 
Quebec 
Saskatchewan 
United States 
Belgium
France 
Italy 
Switzerland
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
×
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
3 Keys to Weight Management
Did you know that two out of three adults are either overweight or obese? Moreover, every one of us is at risk for gaining weight. In fact, the average adult gains one to two pounds each year. These small (often unnoticed weight changes) can accumulate and may increase risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and several cancers, especially colon and post-menopausal breast cancer.
The good news is that changes to our diet and lifestyle can help prevent weight gain, help us to lose weight or to keep off the weight we’ve already lost. Remember that changing our lifestyle and making new healthy habits takes time, concerted effort and consistency. This is because there are no “quick fixes” or “magic bullets”, despite what Dr. Oz and the Internet may tell you.
Key #1: Gradually Implement Sustainable Change
For weight management success, it is vital to implement changes that will be sustainable. Therefore, before getting started, ask yourself if you are you ready to make a lifelong (diet or physical activity) change. This means that you will steer clear of the strict, crash diets or extreme workout regimes that are too rigorous to continue long-term.
When you have decided that you are in it for the long haul, you then want to implement changes gradually. At a conference this past weekend, the keynote speaker highlighted the importance of starting with one change and then adding another after the first is complete or a habit. He spoke about how people can accomplish more than they ever thought possible when they are not overwhelmed with trying to change everything all at once. Here are tips to get started and avoid All or Nothing Mental Sabotage, the most common type of thought-distortion.
Key #2: Be “Health Focused” vs. “Weight Focused”
When implementing lifelong health behaviour changes, it is essential to be “health-focused” instead of merely “weight-focused”. If we are only driven by the number on the scale or yearning to look like a photo-shopped celebrity, we are likely to feel frustrated and deflated. Let’s face it, in our society, people spend lots of money and endless energy being “weight-focused” and hard on themselves instead of being “health-focused” and proud of themselves for making impactful changes. Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes and by being “health-focused” you will be able to direct your energy on nurturing yourself and making lasting changes for a healthier tomorrow.
Author
Andrea is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Dietetic Directions, a nutritional counselling and education company. Andrea's mission is to inspire clients through motivation and guidance to achieve life-long health behaviour changes. She has taken continuing education in the areas of Food Allergy and Food Hypersensitivity, Health Research Literacy, Motivational Interviewing & Coaching for Behaviour Change.
Leave a Reply