Finding weight-loss programs that work

user warning: Duplicate entry '0' for key 'PRIMARY' query: INSERT INTO drupalwatchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'gallery', 'Unable to initialize embedded Gallery. You need to <a href=\"/admin/settings/gallery/install\"> configure your embedded Gallery</a>.', 2, '', 'http://www.getfitmississippi.com/node/4759', '', '38.107.179.221', 1328669490) in /home/tcl_online/getfitmississippi.com/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.
user warning: Duplicate entry '0' for key 'PRIMARY' query: INSERT INTO drupalwatchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'gallery', 'Unable to initialize embedded Gallery. You need to <a href=\"/admin/settings/gallery/install\"> configure your embedded Gallery</a>.', 2, '', 'http://www.getfitmississippi.com/node/4759', '', '38.107.179.221', 1328669490) in /home/tcl_online/getfitmississippi.com/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.
user warning: Table 'getfitms.drupalcomments' doesn't exist query: SELECT COUNT(*) FROM drupalcomments WHERE nid = 4759 AND status = 0 in /home/tcl_online/getfitmississippi.com/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.
user warning: Table 'getfitms.drupalcomments' doesn't exist query: SELECT c.cid as cid, c.pid, c.nid, c.subject, c.comment, c.format, c.timestamp, c.name, c.mail, c.homepage, u.uid, u.name AS registered_name, u.picture, u.data, c.score, c.users, c.thread, c.status FROM drupalcomments c INNER JOIN drupalusers u ON c.uid = u.uid WHERE c.nid = 4759 AND c.status = 0 ORDER BY c.thread DESC LIMIT 0, 50 in /home/tcl_online/getfitmississippi.com/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.

Eating right

Kathy Warwick

Warwick

You have decided to lose a few pounds that came with the holidays. There are many fad diets and expensive weight loss programs. The problem is fad diets are hard to follow for very long and may require the purchase of special foods. Most of us are watching our budgets more carefully these days so paying for high-end diet programs may be out of the question.

Unfortunately, what most diet programs have in common is their failure rate. Most everyone loses weight but most also gain it back within the next couple of years. The key to success lies in changing the way we think about food and changing our lifestyles for the long term. Changing habits takes time and patience and support. Those extra pounds weren't gained overnight, but we always expect we should be able to lose them overnight.

Clients often ask me to recommend a weight loss program based on safety and cost. While there are many good programs, I want to highlight two I have seen work.

Weight Watchers has been around a long time, but it has been updated and revised for our busy lifestyles. The recipes are practical and keeping track of calories has been simplified. The latest version of Weight Watchers can be accessed from your home computer with follow up "meetings" online. Because it is affordable and the meals can be eaten by the whole family, participants can stay with the program for a long time, allowing for those old habits to fade away. Having the support of a group of like-minded people always makes the process more enjoyable.

I have also worked with a faith-based weight control program called First Place 4 Health. The program focuses on total health: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

My experience has been that most of us overeat when stressed, upset, depressed or frustrated. This program addresses emotional eating and provides alternative ways to deal with challenges. Most of these groups meet at a sponsoring church on Wednesday or Sunday to coincide with regular church attendance.

Whatever weight loss program you choose, consider these criteria:

Balanced diet that is safe for those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Meals can be eaten by the entire family.
Support of a group with similar goals.
Affordable enough to stick with it.