Building Your Weight Loss Team
So you’ve decided you want to lose weight. You’re probably getting prepared on the right nutrition and exercise strategies, but have you considered that you may need some help? My guess is probably not. It’s not your fault. It’s been drilled into your head that weight loss is just a matter of calories in and calories out. Losing weight is nothing more than eating less than you’re burning. So get to it!
Ok, no more joking. Anyone who has struggled with maintaining their “sweet spot” knows that it’s not that simple. Obesity is a complex, chronic disease. Even when a person loses weight, weight regain is common. I believe there’s a magic ingredient that is missing from most weight loss plans. It’s called support. Weight loss cannot be a solo adventure. It’s an arduous journey, uphill, against the wind. Now imagine you had a trail partner, or 3. More support means more hands and feet to carry the load and perhaps you can even enjoy each other’s company along the way. That’s a good picture of the weight loss journey–a team of individuals with the same goal in mind.
Obesogenic Environment
Obesa-what? Obesogenic environment simply is a term to describe the western culture that promotes poor food choices and sedentary behavior. On my lunch break today, I picked up a few produce items from the grocery store. I don’t often look at the receipt, but this time I did. One apple, organic: $1.02. My immediate thought was, “I could have bought a hamburger for that price!” Don’t get me wrong. I have no desire to feast on a greasy food-like meat muffin that probably has more chemicals than nutrients, but it highlighted to me a major problem in our world. We are incentivized to eat junk food–it’s convenient and cheap. No wonder people are struggling.
A Better Way
Yes, better nutrition and exercise habits must occur–no question about that, however, for these habits to stick, it must be done in the context of a supportive environment. If you have decided to stop weight gain in its tracks, enlist the help of your coworkers, neighbors, family and friends. Out with the old and in with the new! Make time for hanging out with people who have the habits you want. Their success will rub off on you. Likewise, the opposite is true. If you’re hanging out with the same people that contributed to your weight gain, it will be difficult to move ahead. Sure, it’s impossible to get away from all negative influences (apart from leaving the planet), but you can be sure to make time for you. And you are worth it. Give us a call for professional support.
www.nutritionsolutionsonline.com
676-1248
