Games Dieters Play

People who actually succeed at weight loss over time are not dieters, but rather people who have committed to an overall change of lifestyle. As harmful as obesity can be to your health, some studies have shown that yo-yo dieting can be even more harmful to your system.

So how can you make the necessary lifestyle changes that will produce lasting weight loss success? Many who have succeeded where so many others have failed report that appropriate self-talk is a key element of winning strategy. It is useful to build in some competition, even if you are the only one playing.

Rather than setting yourself up for failure by setting impossible goals, it would be more beneficial to set smaller, incremental goals that are easier to attain. Create a system where you reward yourself for each goal that you reach. This will help you develop a winning attitude toward your weight loss, and that enthusiasm will carry you farther than frustration and self-loathing.

There is a possible pitfall with this system. Do not use food as a reward for reaching goals. That is the kind of thinking that leads to obesity. A more appropriate natural reward for weight loss would be new clothes in the smaller size. Behavioral economists use the phrase “incentive bundling” to describe pairing pleasant rewards with unpleasant activities. For example, if it is hard to convince yourself to use the treadmill, you might choose a guilty pleasure audio book, and restrict yourself to listening to it only when you are exercising.

What else can you do to make exercise more appealing? Companionship helps. Find an exercise partner, or convince your romantic partner to join you for an exercise date. If your dating all revolves around food and drink, then your relationship can work against your weight loss goals. Learn to see physical activity as a date. Walk or jog or ride your bicycles in a pleasant environment with enjoyable scenery.

If you need professional help to jump-start your weight loss program, it may be time to consider a professional weight loss clinic. On the Space Coast, Dr. Diego Velarde at the Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute in Merritt Island has over ten years of clinical practice and specializes in bariatric surgery. There are several types of bariatric surgery, including lap band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Velarde performs minimally invasive robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical Robot that allows for an increased range of motion and more precise movements.