How to get the most out of any weight loss program

Different approaches to weight loss work for different people. Some people find success by adopting lifestyle changes alone. Others find success through surgical procedures. Others with prescription medications. It’s important to remind yourself that there is no best approach to weight loss, only the approach that works best for you.

While weight loss is a different journey for everyone, everyone who is working to lose weight will want to get the most from the time and effort they are putting in. With that in mind, here are seven strategies that can help you get the most from any type of weight loss program.

Partner with a healthcare provider

Again, different weight loss approaches work for different people. A healthcare provider can help you understand what approaches may work best for you based on your unique needs and health. They can also monitor your progress, make adjustments as needed, and ensure weight loss is safe and sustainable.

Choose the right time to start

Once you are in a weight loss program, you want to continue with that program without interruption. While you may be eager to get started, you should also consider whether now is the right time to start. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you need to do anything in preparation for starting this program?
• Is there anything in the near future that could disrupt your adherence to this program?
• Do you have any concerns about your ability to follow through with this program?
• Do you have any health issues or other barriers (such as stress) that should be addressed before starting this program?

Understand the goal of your program

Knowing what results you should expect can help you avoid feeling discouraged, help you understand when a program is working, and help you understand when a program needs to be adjusted. This is another reason why working with a healthcare provider is essential.

Know the recommended lifestyle changes

Every weight loss program requires changes to your lifestyle. Some programs are built entirely on eating differently and moving more. Weight loss medications are meant to be paired with good nutrition and physical activity. Nutrition is a part of preparation and post-operative management for weight loss surgery.

• Get nutritional guidelines from your healthcare provider
• Learn why and how nutrition supports your weight loss goals
• Know what foods and habits you will need to avoid
• Keep a food journal or use a food tracking app
• Follow guidelines for recommended activities, including safety guidelines

Think about your motivation

Sustainable motivation is one of the most important factors for sustainable weight loss. While motivation is another factor that differs from person to person, research has found several factors associated with sustained motivation during weight loss treatment:

• Support from a healthcare provider, including encouragement and information
• Support from peers, such as loved ones or a support group
• Understanding how weight loss occurs
• Having a defined and realistic goal
• Regular physical activity
• Seeing a result from weight loss efforts

Look at your skills and past successes

Ask yourself what you have been successful with in the past and make a list of what you consider to be your skills, strengths, and interests. These can be related to health, work, school, or a hobby. It can be something recent, or something from the past. Think about ways these attributes and successes can be applied to your weight loss program.

Admit when something isn’t working

To go back to the beginning of this article, different weight loss methods work for different people. If your current weight loss program is not working, talk to your healthcare provider and try to identify the reasons why. As best as you can, put aside feelings of guilt or blame, which are never beneficial to weight loss—or any other aspect of health. Be willing to consider taking a different approach.