Selecting the Right Weight Loss Plan

Selecting a Weight Loss Program

If your health care provider tells you that you should lose weight and you want to find a weight-loss program to help you, look for one that is based on regular physical activity and an eating plan that is balanced, healthy, and easy to follow.

Before You Sign Up For Any Weight Loss Program

Some people lose weight on their own; others like the support of a structured program. Overweight people who are successful at losing weight, and keeping it off, can reduce their risk factors for heart disease. If you decide to join any kind of weight control program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health has provided some questions to ask before you join.- I've added Why Health Coach + for each point NIH addresses:

Q Does the program provide counseling to help you change your eating activity, and personal habits?The program should teach you how to change permanently those eating habits and lifestyle factors, such as lack of physical activity that have
contributed to weight gain.

A Health Coach Method is a comprehensive behavior modification program that is individually paced, yet progressively addresses how you eat and how you move.

Q Is the staff made up of a variety of qualified counselors and health professionals such as nutritionists, registered dietitians, doctors, nurses, psychologists, and exercise physiologists?You need to be evaluated by a physician if you have any health problems, are currently taking any
medicine, or plan on taking any medicine, or plan to lose more than 15 to 20 pounds. If your weight control plan uses a very low-calorie diet (a special liquid formula that replaces all food for 1 to 4 months), an exam and follow up visits by a doctor are also needed.

A Health Coach+ staff includes a physician, registered dietician, medical exercise specialists and nutrition coaches. Health Coach Method was reviewed and approved by registered dieticians and do not include low-calorie diets. We do encourage clients to begin with a physician exam and doctor approval for at-risk clients

Q Is training available on how to deal with times when you may feel stressed and slip back to old habits?The program should provide long-term strategies to deal with weight problems you may have in the future. These strategies might include things like setting up a support system and establishing a physical activity routine.

A During your weekly Health Coach Method coaching session, one essential component we emphasize is planning a success strategy for intended and unintended interruptions to your designed plan.

Q Is attention paid to keeping the weight off? How long is this phase?Choose a program that teaches skills and techniques to make permanent changes in eating habits and levels of physical activity to prevent weight gain.

A Health Coach Method develops life long healthy living and nutrition behaviors.

Q Are food choices flexible and suitable? Are weight goals set by the client and the health professional?The program should consider your food likes and dislikes and your lifestyle when your weight loss goals are planned.

A Health Coach Method has suggested menus based on three lifestyles but each person creates their own daily menus according to the principles of Health Coach Method, American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Heart Institute’s Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH)

Remember, quick weight loss methods don't provide lasting results. Weight loss methods that rely on diet aids like drinks, prepackaged foods, or diet pills don't work in the long run. Whether you lose weight on your own or with a group, remember that the most important changes are long term. No matter how much weight you have to lose, modest goals and a slow course will increase your chances of both losing the weight and keeping it off

A Health Coach+ does not require that you buy food or diet supplements. We do offer some foods as a courtesy for busy people, but clients always have these recipes as well. Our goal is to teach you how to live independent healthy lives. Slow and steady, consistently quality decisions on food and exercise, made over time is the formula for lasting weight management.

As a note: Health Coach Method can be done in three ways:

1. One-on-One or small groups at our studio at 10 Calendar Court, Columbia, SC, (in Forest Acres)
2. On-site of your workplace in groups of 15-25 people
3. We are developing the Webinar delivery to groups outside the midlands of SC. Call us if you are interested in this option.

Kathleen Wood,

Medical Exercise Specialist and Health Coach Method Facilitator