| DR. KESTNER: Despite adage, old dogs can learn new tricks |
|
By: DR. MARK KESTNER, Post Columnist
|
Posted: Sunday, January 22, 2012 7:18 am
|
 Email  Print
|
You may have heard and even used the expression, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
That’s a pessimistic idea that once we have been set in our ways for too long change is impossible.
Change may be difficult, but not impossible.
I stopped to visit the weight loss professionals at Med180 Weight Loss Center last week. I was very impressed with their medically supervised approach to weight loss.
Interestingly enough, their program paralleled everything that I have learned about weight loss during my professional experience. They even included the identical nutritional supplement support I suggest for my patients.
Importantly for their clients’ success, they have programs that are incredibly well organized and guide the client through their journey to less weight and better health step-by-step.
There are many successful weight-loss programs available, such as Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig and others.
They all have their systematic approach to helping clients lose weight. These programs have stood the test of time based upon their approach to coaching their clients through a confusing maze of dietary recommendations.
Some of these programs rely heavily on what I call “box-o-food.”
While the convenience of pre-made liquid or frozen meals is helpful to restrict calories, some clients find it difficult to transition to eating real foods in the real world.
There are also medical programs that depend solely or primarily on prescription appetite suppressants for their success.
Although results can be dramatic with these approaches, the substantial risk is that after the client stops taking the drug, the weight begins to return.
A successful medically supervised program not only involves professional counseling but also has strong support for sustained success through real life changes.
The reason I stress the importance of that approach is that a person can accomplish practically any goal if they have motivation, clear directions, persistence and some expert coaching.
All a person has to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep doing that until they have succeeded.
That is critically important in structured weight-loss plans because often a client finds it necessary to rethink many of their life-long habits and choose to adopt a new approach to eating and activities.
I will let you in on a little secret: None of the weight-loss clinics have exclusive information that nobody else knows. The science behind weight loss is well established. In fact, you could probably learn all you need to know by perusing the shelves for a $20 book at Barnes and Noble.
The real key to providing a successful weight-loss program is to anticipate the difficulties that clients will encounter and have tools and resources readily available to offer them.
It is also finding a way to structure the program so that clients can follow along step-by-step in a comfortable manner at their own pace.
Let’s say you now weigh between 30 and 50 pounds more than you think you should.
You know if you don’t change something about your life, you will continue to carry that much excess weight and probably more as the years go by.
You also know the rapid weight-loss diets that you have tried in the past have not worked.
You have regained any weight that you lost.
Logically, anyone in this condition knows they must make a series of changes over time to accomplish meaningful weight loss.
So, why are so many people overweight?
Because these kinds of changes are difficult.
It is easy to become overwhelmed when trying to change personal habits.
Habits that we have developed over time are deeply ingrained into our emotional, mental and physical being.
Developing enough inertia to overcome the tendency to stay in the same ruts often requires expert help.
The point of this column is to be encouraging to anyone that needs to lose weight, find successful treatment for chronic pain, improve their lifestyle habits, quit smoking or overcome any other difficult hurdle. It may be necessary to seek professional help.
Next week: Surprising new findings about digestive enzymes. Until then, stay happy and stay healthy. |
|
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!