Tips for Weight Loss Success

According to Stefanie C. Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston, the key to weight loss success is, "Instead of making the number on the scale the focus, look for other ways to find to measure success."She gives the example of a patient, ‘who said that when she lost 60 pounds she was going to sign up for a half-marathon. She signed up last June and is running the full 13 miles in January."

Also Barthmare recommends visualizing your goals. Whether it’s what you’d like a smaller dress size or being able to participate in an activity you couldn’t because of your weight (say downhill skiing) keeping it in your mind and visualizing it can help.
Another way to stick to goals is to build up. One of the mistakes dieters make is to be too ambitious in the beginning and then to taper off. Instead, work your way up. Start by making small changes to your diet and building up your level of physical activity a little at a time. According to Barthmare, it’s important to, begin to accumulate small successes. These positive actions and resulting good feelings give you the momentum to keep going and eventually reach the goal you set for yourself."  Keeping promises you make to yourself will help you build confidence and success.

So if you’re looking for weight loss success in the New Year, remember to pace yourself and think of it as a process. Doing so is a way you can experience weight loss success.

Source: Methodist Hospital, Houston