What is the best way to accomplish permanent weight loss? The answer is the same that applies to what is the best exercise. It is the lifestyle that helps you lose and maintain weight losses that you can live with for a lifetime.
What is the very best exercise? It is the exercise you consistently enjoy and will continue the rest of your life. Have you made the connection?
Any weight-loss establishment, gym, diet, etc. can have clients’ testimonials raving about their success on XYZ diet. Look for these individuals down the road and see if they have maintained their weight losses. Most have not. The reason is that the XYZ diet required the client to eat specific foods, combinations of “negative-calorie” foods, cut carbs, increase protein; you fill in the criteria that fits your particular diet du jour. If followed, this approach will take off weight. But most losses won’t last because clients cannot maintain the regimen long term. Some diets have proven to be detrimental to long-term health.
We are a nation nurtured on instant gratification. Weight loss is usually sparked by a pending class reunion, wedding or similar occasion. Little or no thought goes into the health benefits of attaining a healthy weight. Once everyone admires your slender figure, bad habits are resumed and you are reacquainted with your old friend — fat. Why not take a long-term approach? Change your way of thinking and make your losses permanent.
Recently I had an individual tell me she didn’t want to go to Weight Watchers because of the meetings. I encouraged her to make it a personal mission to attend Weight Watchers for one year, reach her goal weight and never look back. Plenty of research shows that weight-loss group settings, or accountability to someone, actually improves compliance and success. It is in these settings you meet others who are on the same mission. They desire to change their lifestyle and lose weight with the intent of keeping the weight off permanently. There is motivation in knowing you’ll see your friends each week to compare losses and lend support.
Actually you can go through Weight Watchers program on your own via the Internet. However, the classes are recommended. The compliance for going it alone is dismal. Weight Watchers can also be taught at your place of employment. A class minimum is required.
The other component of the weight-loss puzzle is consistent exercise. Weight loss can be accomplished sans exercise. However, your success rate and long-term results require consistent exercise to maintain muscle mass.
Why would you not exercise? Most say time is a limiting factor. Others say they don’t enjoy it. The time issue is bogus. If you want to do something you will find time. I can look at someone’s daily routine and easily carve out 30 minutes for walking. If you don’t enjoy exercise you should explore all options, and there are plenty. You can walk, bike, swim, yoga, tai chi, tae-bo, Pilates, strength train, stair climb, rough house with kids, chase the dog, play soccer, dance, push mow the lawn, rake leaves and the list goes on.
The idea is to find something you enjoy, while eating a little less, that you can and will do consistently for the long haul.
Chris Davies, MS, owns Fitness Solutions, Inc. He can be reached at Fitsolutions1@msn.com. He is a resident of Terre Haute.
Health & Fitness
CHRIS DAVIES: Best fitness regimen is what’s ‘best’ for you
- Health & Fitness
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic
Another free Dine with a Doc lunch event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Support Groups: May 15, 2013
Cancer Friendship Group, featuring a journaling workshop with therapeutic writer Nia Klein, 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, conference room B, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center; 217-465-2606, ext. 290.
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Protect yourself from skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday was designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
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Paris Hospital Volunteers' chocolate sale is May 23-24
The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will sponsor a South Bend Chocolate Company sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24 near the FMC rotunda entrance.
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Stay safe during flooding with tips
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop over the course of a few weeks or happen quickly.
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Support groups: May 8, 2013
Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors Inc.,
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Journal writing workshop coming up at Paris hospital
Therapeutic writer Nia Klein will conduct a journal writing workshop at the Cancer Friendship Group meeting at 10 a.m. May 21 in conference room B at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Church to sponsor blood drive
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday in Fellowship Hall at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Walk to bring hope to bereaved families, awareness
Compassionate Friends of the Wabash Valley are sponsoring a “Walk to Remember,” to support families after a child dies, from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park.
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Dine with a Doc to feature ISU professor
A free Dine with a Doc event, featuring Lisa Borrero Ph.D., is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence Housing Corp. All Place in West Terre Haute.
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Free Vial of Life kits available in Paris
In recognition of National Hospital Week in May, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will provide free Vial of Life kits to the community.
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Free Zumba Gold presentation offered
The Maple Center for Integrative Health and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offer a free presentation on Zumba Gold by Cathleen Drobny from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in Westminster Village at 1120 East Davis Drive.
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Senior Menu: April 24, 2013
Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at all senior citizens dining sites in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Putnam counties.
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Child Passenger Safety Tech course coming up
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course for child passenger safety will be conducted from 8 AM to 5 PM on May 2, 3, 10, and 11.
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Health briefs: April 24, 2013
‘Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage’ presentation set for May
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Crawford County Triathlon slated for May 25
Lincoln Trail College and Ecton Hardware are hosting the Crawford County Triathlon on May 25 at the college.
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April 26 sharing session to be therapeutic for Parkinson’s patients
Strength in numbers.
That concept underlies the theme of a gathering Friday, April 26 in Westminster Village. People afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and friends and family who care for those ailing folks, will share their stories of their struggles and successes with the progressive disorder that touches more than 1 million American lives. -
Get a hair cut and health screenings all in one stop
Visiting the barber shop today could mean more than just getting a haircut; it might save your life.
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Dine with a Doc to feature Dr. Roland Kohr
Another Dine with a Doc event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Providence Housing Corporation All Place, 219 North Providence Place, West Terre Haute.
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Hunter education course scheduled this weekend
An Indiana Hunter Education Course is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Good Hope Baptist Church, 440 W. County Road 850 S., in Clay City.
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Hospice hosting ‘Run and Remember’ fundraiser
Hospice of the Wabash Valley will be hosting a “Run and Remember” fundraising event at 11 a.m. Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
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Disability Awareness Month events planned
Bridges of Indiana has planned two events in March to celebrate Disability Awareness Month.
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Newsmaker: Feb. 20, 2013
Plastic Surgery Practice has announced its new Editorial Advisory Board for 2013. The 12-member board includes several past members and many new names.
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Study: Family mealtime can improve kids’ health
When low-income families devote three to four extra minutes to regular family mealtimes, their children’s ability to achieve and maintain a normal weight improves measurably, according to a new University of Illinois study.
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Zumba for Kid Kare Project fundraiser on March 2
Zumba with Chelsea Martin, a Kid Kare Project fundraiser, is scheduled 1 to 2 p.m. March 2 in the Community Recreation Center at 301 Blackman St. in Clinton.
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Hip implants a bit more likely to fail in women
Hip replacements are slightly more likely to fail in women than in men, according to one of the largest studies of its kind in U.S. patients.
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Support Groups: Feb. 20, 2013
For more information and/or sites, contact the numbers listed.
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Additional CHIP info session today
The Maple Center for Integrative Health has added an additional CHIP information session before the start of class on March 4.
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Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies workshop set
A free workshop for health care providers, social service professionals and other health advocates, Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies in Terre Haute, is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 14 in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education.
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Plans under way for Clark County Biathlon
Plans for the Clark County Spring Break Biathlon 3.1-mile run/15-mile bike plus the 1-mile fun run/walk are under way.
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic




