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Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals


Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more specific we are in discussing weight loss information the better it is for everyone. Here's an example...realistic goals. What are realistic goals? I wrote an article not to long ago that defined "realistic" as a 5-10% reduction of your total body weight. The 5-10% reduction is all the weight you need to lose to show a health benefit or improvement.

But I think there is a more specific term that can be used when disseminating weight loss information, specifically dieting goals. How about Effective Goals. What are effective goals? Effective goals are:

1) Specific and measurable
2) Attainable
3) Forgiving

"Exercise more" is a great idea, but it's not specific. "Walk 1 hour everyday" is specific and measurable, but is it attainable? Maybe, maybe not. "Walk 1 hour 3 times per week" is a great goal. It's specific, measurable, attainable, and forgiving (leaves room to miss a day).

A behavioral technique, called shaping, utilizes this concept of effective goals, but makes it even better. It uses only small short-term goals that get closer and closer to the ultimate goal. It is based on the concept that "nothing succeeds like success." Shaping uses two important behavioral principles:

1) Consecutive goals that move you ahead in small steps are the best way to reach a distant point.

2) Consecutive rewards help to keep you motivated.

I am going to start using Effective Goals instead of "realistic ones." So, your weight loss information for the day...set effective goals and "shape" them.

To Healthy Living!

Michael A. Smith, MD
Weight Loss Professional

Dr. Smith is the primary physician and consultant for the Weight Loss Professional Website. His interests include preventative medicine, the genetic etiology of obesity, and several others too numerous to list. Please visit his Website at http://www.weight-loss-professional.com/article and let him know what you think.



Weight Loss in the News:

Drug Topics Magazine

Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study
Reuters - 5 hours ago
By Andrew Stern CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women who get pregnant after weight-loss surgery tend to be healthier and less likely to deliver a baby born with ...
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
Weight loss surgery may help obese women avoid pregnancy-related ... EurekAlert (press release)
Bariatric Surgery Before Pregnancy Benefits Moms, Babies U.S. News & World Report
Science Daily (press release) - Medscape (registration)
all 26 news articles


UPDATE 1-US Medicare wants limits for weight loss surgery
Reuters - Nov 17, 2008
... Nov 17 (Reuters) - Medicare, the US government's largest payer of health care, said on Monday it does not plan to cover weight-loss surgery in diabetic ...
CMS Will Not Cover Weight-Loss Surgeries for Non-Obese Diabetes ... Kaiser network.org
Medicare Wants to Cut Funding for Weight Loss Surgeries The ... Softpedia
all 17 news articles


Dairy saves bones during weight loss
Stock and Land, Australia - 22 hours ago
... Prof Weaver stressed how important it was for adolescents to maintain the recommended dairy food intake, even during low calorie weight loss diets, ...


Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery Improves Weight Loss ...
Science Daily (press release) - Nov 17, 2008
"Bariatric surgery is quickly emerging as a standard treatment for severe obesity, although weight loss outcomes vary. These results suggest that patient ...


Amazing Weight Loss Stories
WXii 12.com, NC - 11 hours ago
Kimberly Van Scoy is working on weight loss stories and we'd like to have your stories and contact information. Give us your e-mail if that's all the ...


AFP

Boxing legend De la Hoya confident despite weight loss to face ...
AFP - Nov 17, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — US boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya said Monday he has dropped pounds but no punching power ahead of his December 6 welterweight ...


Weight Loss Challenge comes to Swampscott
Swampscott Reporter, MA - 23 hours ago
Local area residents are invited to launch a 12-week non-profit Weight Loss Challenge that offers a quick, easy weight loss solution and long-term weight ...


Dietitians fear weight loss advice 'dangerous'
The Dominion Post, New Zealand - 7 hours ago
Television weight loss show Downsize Me has sparked complaints from dietitians worried it tells people to lose too much weight too quickly – and dishes up ...
Dietitians complain about TV weight-loss series Scoop.co.nz (press release)
all 2 news articles


I did it! Robyn Archuleta's weight loss story
The Virginian-Pilot, VA - Nov 17, 2008
Robyn Archuleta, a Virginia Beach resident, turned to Tidewater Bariatrics for weight loss help and dropped 100 pounds in eight months. ...


Weight Loss vs. Healthy Weight Loss for the Holidays
The Open Press (press release) - 22 hours ago
But they should know that there's a big difference between weight loss and healthy weight loss, and anyone who's starving to death will tell you so. ...

Weight-Loss - Google News



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