6 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT IN 6 WEEKS

Every February 2nd, we look to the groundhog for a signal of what we can expect in the change of seasons. Will it be six more weeks of winter or will we welcome an early spring? That got us thinking about this funny time of year when six weeks is made to feel dark and miserable. Why not turn it around into something positive and productive, regardless of what the groundhog has to say?

Here are six ways you can get a jump start on your weight loss goals:

Forget What You Know About Dieting: First, realize that much of what you have learned about losing weight is likely completely off the mark. There’s a general misperception that to lose weight and keep it off, all you need to do is cut calories for a little while. And then at some point you can go back to eating like you normally would without any consequences. It doesn’t give us any pleasure to tell you that that is just plain wrong. Initial and long-term weight loss and management are much more complicated than that.

In general, “dieting” doesn’t work because it doesn’t understand our basic biology. Our bodies are designed to actually slow down metabolism and conserve fat when we cut calories. Reducing calories will likely help you lose weight in the short term, but it will backfire in the long run –  unless you learn and adopt the behaviors that help you keep the weight off.  Likewise, forget pills, potions, diet sodas, frozen entrees, and processed packaged “diet” foods. Those options simply aren’t sustainable. Ultimately, the best solution for long-term healthy weight management is to follow a high-protein, nutritionally balanced meal plan made from healthy foods – especially plenty of filling foods in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Hire an Expert: Nobody would try to manage a complex illness like diabetes or cancer on his or her own, nor should one try to tackle a weight issue without help from a medical or healthcare provider trained in weight management who can guide you toward your goals based upon your unique health situation. Obesity is a medical condition, not a cosmetic problem, and it needs to be addressed as such. Too many “diet” programs just focus on losing weight quickly rather than on tackling the core issues contributing to the problem in the first place.

Keep Track: Studies show that people who get in the habit of keeping a food diary, counting calories, weighing in on a regular basis, and journaling about what they are experiencing along the way are far more likely to lose weight and keep it off than those who don’t. So make it a point to get in the habit of writing down what you’re doing, what your goals are, and how things are going. Then share this data with your weight loss provider so the two of you can help you stay accountable while you’re losing the weight and on a regular basis even after you’ve met your goal.

Make it About You: The reality is that weight issues can be caused by a variety of factors from genetics to underlying medical conditions to food addictions, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to losing weight. What worked for a neighbor or relative may be completely ineffective for you. You’ll get the best results from a plan that is tailored individually for you, like the ones we develop for each patient at CMWL. Your plan should look at what you eat to how you move to lifestyle changes that will help you break patterns that are contributing to your specific weight issues.

Get Exercise Without “Exercising”: Living an active lifestyle overall is far more important than spending an hour at the gym every day. Start looking for little ways to add movement and burn calories into your daily routine, like parking further away from a store entrance, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going for a walk to unwind instead of watching TV, or carrying groceries inside one bag at a time instead of in as few trips as possible. Looking for the “hard” way to do the things you already have to do anyway can add up to the equivalent of 30 minutes or more of exercise per day, without ever “exercising” in the way most people think about it.

Think Big Picture: Remember, it’s not just about losing the pounds. It’s about breaking the weight loss/gain cycle for good. So instead of making losing weight quickly your focus, make it about losing that weight and keeping it off for a lifetime. That means really examining all of the things that led to your weight problems in the first place and taking steps to relearn your daily behaviors and habits. Keep in mind that reaching your goal weight is just the first part of the journey. The second part is continuing to live in a way that keeps that weight from coming right back (or even gaining more).

So, what if the groundhog says it will be an early spring? Well, that’s a bonus. You’ll get to practice your new healthy weight behaviors in the warm sun. Six weeks is six weeks no matter what that groundhog tells us. Embrace this period for healthy, long-lasting weight loss and you’ll find that those six weeks made all the difference.

Are you ready for your “6 weeks to weight loss”? Get your personalized medical weight loss plan. FIND A CENTER NOW