$Unique_ID{BRK00833}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What do "Life Style Changes" for Weight Loss Entail?}
$Subject{diet lifestyle weight Community Social lifestyles metabolism
exercise diets dieting exercises exercising overweight}
$Volume{Q-23}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What do "Life Style Changes" for Weight Loss Entail?


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QUESTION:  My life has been a constant battle against the scales and I have
used diets, medications, and purchased everything in sight.  Still the weight
returns.  A new counselor is suggesting "life style changes".  Just what does
this entail?  Does it help?

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ANSWER:  Changing lifestyle means exactly what it sounds like:  changing the
style in which you live.  For people with weight problems, the change most
often has to do with how active you are.  Dieting alone is not the best way to
reduce weight.  A very low calorie diet slows your metabolism (the rate at
which your body uses calories), an ancient response that helped our ancestors
survive famine.  Moreover, many people just like you gain weight rapidly after
stopping the diet.
     Modifying your lifestyle by adding exercise can balance the equation.
Exercise uses up calories, offers health benefits, confers a feeling of
psychological well-being, and, perhaps most important, sustains your metabolic
rate.
     Other lifestyle changes:

     - ALTER YOUR ENVIRONMENT:  For example, keep "problem" foods in a closet
     beyond easy reach, or out of the house altogether.
     - ARRANGE FOR REWARDS:  Keep in mind the idea that you are moving toward
     a smaller clothing size, for example.  Weight loss can also be its own
     reward.
     - TELL OTHERS OF YOUR PLAN:  Family members, friends, physicians,
     nurses--knowing they are watching and hoping can motivate you when your
     own motivation flags.
     - SUBSTITUTE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS FOR TEMPTATIONS
     - MAKE A DEAL:  It can be verbal or written; with someone else or with
     yourself.  The key elements are rewards for achievements and consequences
     for failure.
     - USE SMALL STEPS TOWARDS SUCCESS:  Slow but sure wins the race.

     It's really never easy to lose weight, but by attacking the problem using
a bit of each of these strategies, you may attain that very important victory
that has been eluding you.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.