The six strategies that help people become successful weight loss managers.
In any challenge in life, there are going to be those who are successful and there are going to be others who are not. This is one of those harsh realities that we all face, and in every challenge that we rise up to we are forced to push ourselves to try to be in that first group, all the while holding onto the knowledge that the potential for failure is there, waiting for us to give up.
This battle between success and failure is especially evident in the world of weight loss. Statistically, more than 90 percent of Americans have tried losing weight in the past. Most have failed at least once. Diets come and go, success happens and then the weight comes back. Weight loss surgery creates a new opportunity for those who have been in that boat before, offering an option that is likely to help you finally reach your goal. However, even after having weight loss surgery, you still need to push yourself towards achieving that success.
So what is it that makes success available for some, and not for others? A lot comes down to the weight loss program that you are working with. Weight loss surgery is designed to help you lose weight, even if you have had trouble in the past. Combining reduced stomach capacity with ongoing weight loss support and dietary guidance can help you finally reach your goal. However, the weight loss program is merely the path to get you to that goal. Once you are on that path, you need to walk it. And this is where success either happens or it doesn’t.
The National Weight Control Registry (or NWCR) has looked into this same question. Why is it that some people are able to lose weight, and others try over and over again and never achieve results? They began asking those who have lost weight questions about their strategies and mentality, and found that those who are successful tend to share the same six strategies.
These six strategies for weight loss success include:
- Working out at least an hour a day, maintaining high levels of physical activity.
- Sticking to your weight loss surgeon’s dietary plans and keeping a low calorie diet.
- Never skipping breakfast! Or any of your planned meals, really.
- Monitoring your weight at least once a week.
- Being consistent with eating patterns every day, including weekends and holidays.
- Identifying slips as small mistakes and not letting one bad choice spiral out of control.
Taking on these strategies as your own can help you cross that bridge to weight loss success. These strategies are not a dietary plan, but instead are the types of healthy habits and ways of thinking that can guide you towards success as you embark on your weight loss journey. Try incorporating these healthy habits into your lifestyle as you prepare for weight loss surgery. Talk to your weight loss surgeon to learn more about the types of strategies you can employ to help you become successful with your weight loss plans.