Weight management is becoming more important to many of us, and by joining a group we can get the support we need to reach our goals.
If you are overweight or obese losing weight can literally be a life saver. Weight management can significantly help reduce the risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, severe joint problems and some kinds of cancer. Losing weight and keeping it off can be hard. But you don’t have to do it alone.
Weight management group support
Statistics prove that joining a weight management group is very effective in helping participants lose weight. Recent studies of 2576 people show that being part of a group made members 58% more likely to drop at least 5% of their body fat after a year. Compared to those who get one to one support weight management group members lost on average 1.9 kg more.
Supportive environment
A weight management group is a supportive environment where members can talk in a non-judgemental atmosphere of positive support.
Sharing life stories, experiences, goals and practical tips and hints offers members the opportunity to get tangible help from others. A supportive environment also reduces stress, which can cause its own mental health problems, and this also helps members to lose weight.
Inspiration
Because the most successful and longest lasting weight loss is gradual and based upon diet and lifestyle changes weight management groups can offer inspiration to keep going when things get tough. Experienced members can offer practical help and can inspire newcomers with their success stories.
More professional support
Research has found that people who attend weight management groups actually have more professional support than those who opt for a one-to-one service perhaps with a doctor, nurse or other professional – people in groups had 12 to 55 hours of treatment time whilst those receiving one-to-one treatments just 2.5 to 11 hours. This means that the NHS can treat more people more effectively if they join a weight management group.
Long term strategies
Weight management groups not only help you lose weight they help you keep it off by offering long term strategies including how to make healthy lifestyle changes that can be maintained after you get to your goal.
Which group
There are many weight loss groups available some are commercial groups such as Weight Watchers and Slimming World, but there are also some excellent services offered by the NHS and your GP is the first stop to see what is available.
One thing to remember is that we are all different and so are weight management groups, if you don’t find one that suits you don’t give up, try another!
Weight Management Groups are not for everyone, and people who are nervous or anxious about speaking in groups might prefer a one-to-one service but those who do join reap the benefits of gradual weight loss which stays off.
Rob Bullock https://robbullockauthor.blogspot.com