6 Proven Ways to Lose the Weight for Good
Solutions could cost you a few hundred dollars — or more.
Jan. 28, 2013— -- intro:"We've all heard it a million times: In order to lose weight, just burn more calories than you consume. Simple math, right? Yeah, unless you live in the real world—the one with deadlines and cronuts. Only one in five dieters are successful at losing—and keeping off—10 percent of their body weight, according to the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR). "You're battling your biology—your body reacts to dieting by burning fewer calories—as well as your emotions and your environment, where there are way too many temptations," explains Robert Kushner, MD, director of the Center for Lifestyle Medicine at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine."
But getting help can make all the difference. Brand-new obesity-treatment guidelines from the American Heart Association, the Obesity Society and the American College of Cardiology say that the best way to lose weight is to work with a trained health-care professional. And just over half of the successful losers tracked by the NWCR sought outside help.
In fact, with the right tools and support, anyone can achieve weight-loss success. "People who have maintained long-term weight loss had many failed diets in their past," points out James Hill, PhD, co-founder of the NWCR and director of the Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center. "Just because you haven't succeeded yet doesn't mean you can't do it." It may simply be a sign that it's time to call in reinforcements. Here's where to turn if you're having trouble losing on your own.
quicklist: 1 category:6 Proven Ways to Lose the Weight for Goodtitle:Consult a dietitian url:text:What it is: Think of a dietitian as your personal food coach. After taking a thorough look at your eating habits, daily schedule, stressors and snack triggers, she will help you come up with an overall nutrition plan. "We can help women with budget and time constraints find ways to eat healthy, give advice on how to lighten up favorite recipes and provide suggestions for dealing with emotional eating or getting more exercise," explains Jessica Crandall, RD, general manager at Denver Wellness and Nutrition. Bonus: Meeting with a specialist provides accountability, so it's easier to stay focused on your goals.
What the research shows: Nutrition education can improve overall diet quality and aid in weight loss. A 2013 study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that people who received eight nutrition-coaching sessions over six months lost on average 5 percent of their body weight.
Who should consider it: Anyone who's committed to cleaning up her diet but isn't sure where to start. A dietitian can also work with you to strategize around a specific food challenge, whether you're eating off your kids' plates or struggling with a health problem like diabetes.
How to find one: Look for someone with the initials RD, for "registered dietitian," or RDN, for "registered dietitian nutritionist." Both indicate that she has earned at least a bachelor's degree with requirements to study the science of nutrition and the psychology of eating, complete a supervised practice program and pass an exam given by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Search for an RD in your area at the AND website (eatright.org).
Cost: Usually from $100 to $250 an hour; most people do three to six sessions over the course of four to six months. Insurance coverage varies, but it's more likely if you have a weight-related health problem.
