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My Weight Watchers journey, vol. 13; Don't forget to plan

The secret to successful weight loss for me has been planning. There is an adage that says, “People don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan.” It is true that I first heard it used as it related to financial planning. It does, however, apply to nearly any pursuit, weight loss included. One of the best ways to facilitate planning is to join a group of like minded people. According to a review of studies from the University of Cincinnati, face-to-face contact more than once a month within a group setting results in a higher success rate. This has certainly been true for Judy and me. We feel inspired by our fellow group members, and the weekly accountability helps up to continue to make good decisions.

 

Planning needs to happen every day in order to insure success. According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, many people will backslide on weekends, often times increasing their caloric intake without even noticing it. Part of planning is knowing where to find your planning tools. The internet has been an indispensable asset for me. I find support and ideas on the Weight Watchers website. I can preview a restaurants menu before I even leave the house and have my selections planned before I ever set foot in the restaurant. I also have www.healthydiningfinder.com bookmarked on my computer. This helps me choose restaurants that have healthier fare and also gives me suggestions for substitutions that can make my selections even healthier.

 

A scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association maintains that a population-based approach is needed to reduce obesity in the U.S. I feel that trying to legislate this issue away may be somewhat misguided. Though theoretically making it easier to make good choices, legislating things like the locations of fast food restaurants or the “walkability” of neighborhoods will not in itself halt the obesity epidemic. It is up to the individual to take responsibility for his addiction and take the appropriate steps to change his lifestyle. Put simply, those who make healthy choices a priority will have no problems finding healthy places or ways to eat or exercise. Conversely, those who choose to continue to make poor choices will also seek out venues that support these choices.

 

Remember, plan to succeed and you will.