This post was submitted on behalf of DoctorsofWeightLoss.com, a website that educates people on gastric bypass surgery, explanations of cutting-edge research, and profiles of the nation’s leading weight loss surgeons.
Losing weight is a difficult task as it is, you can use as much help as you can get. One of the ways you can help ensure weight loss success is finding a partner in your journey.
Whether you choose a branded diet or just look to improve your overall health choices, even those with the best intentions can use someone else’s support. Some even say it’s the difference between success and failure.
It’s not just about dieting support either. When you exercise, try to do it with a friend. A friend can not just hold you accountable, they may also rely on you just as much, making it much more difficult to blow off a workout session.
There’s a reason Weight Watchers is one of the most successful commercial diet companies, with a track record of nearly half a century. The company made its mark with their group meetings, where fellow dieters can commiserate over their success and struggles in trying to lose weight. It works. And when it doesn’t work, people return to Weight Watchers because they are attracted to the support group infrastructure.
According to a study by nutrition scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), dieters who use a support group may be less stressed and have better mental performance during their weight loss efforts than people who try to do it on their own. That’s probably due, in part, to the fact that when you see someone else going through the same thing as you are, you are less prone to put yourself down.
If in-person meetings is not your thing, weight loss support can also be anonymous. Online support groups can provide tremendous emotional support, especially for people who prefer to stay as private about as possible. But it’s not just about privacy. Online support groups are convenient and can be accessed 24 hours a day.
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that when dieters used an online weight-loss support group they increased their chances of continuing to exercise and controlling their weight. They followed a sample of 348 people who lost an average of 19 pounds.
Over the course of two and half years that followed, those who accessed a specially designed website provided by the researchers at least once a month were able to keep about half of the weight off on average. The website allowed users to record their diet and exercise information, ask fitness and nutrition experts questions, and interact with fellow dieters.
If you find yourself to be a serial dieter, maybe the missing ingredient is support, offline or on.