If you are living with obesity, finding a group of people to ask for help is one of the best ways to get started. Friends and even strangers can provide you with the motivation.
You can share your weight loss tips and discuss your struggles. These support groups can also help improve your mental health as you face lifestyle difficulties.
In this article, you will learn about 6 places you can find weight loss support.
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1. Local Groups
Participating in a group with colleagues can lead to more weight loss. In an earlier study involving 166 individuals, 76% of those recruited finished the weight loss program.
Over the course of 10 months, only 24% kept their weight loss incomplete. A latest study discovered that group-based diet and exercise programs are more efficient.
People in a group program have lost about 7.7 pounds more on average than individuals who have not enrolled after six months.
If you can not find support while losing weight, request an exercise or diet program from your doctor or nutritionist (1, 2).
2. Groups Based Clinics
Another alternative is to join small weight-loss groups based at universities or medical centers. These clinical groups will help you if you are looking for medical advice.
Psychologists, nutritionists, or other weight-loss experts run these clinics. It will provide you with attention over several weeks or months to help you plan an alternative lifestyle.
Ask your doctor or contact a local academy to see if there are any program available to take part.
3. In-Person Groups
Talking to others who face the same difficulties as you is essential in the long run. Together, as you overcome habits, you can make excellent decisions.
You can also search for local seminars that can help you overcome eating and nutritional difficulties.
Local clinics can hold these sessions and often include medical experts who can answer your questions.
4. Online forums
There are many online forums available for weight loss support.
Most forums provide members with a safe place to share stories, diet, and exercise plans, and seek motivation.
Examples include:
While many other programs often come with a price to keep you involved and concentrated on an exercise and diet program, they may be the best choice.
For example, Weight Watchers is one of the world’s most popular weight loss programs. However, part of its achievement is because of its use of social support.
Remember, many of the people in these forums are not medical experts and may give you incorrect advice. Before beginning a fresh diet plan or exercise program, always check with a doctor.
5. Social Media Apps
Social media apps can help you monitor your calorie consumption of your calories. There is also a powerful community app for wearable fitness sensors, such as Fitbit.
You can communicate with other friends and family who also have a Fitbit once you buy a Fitbit sensor.
With them, you can take part in challenges and even with people you don’t know. Another alternative is FatSecret app, which enables you to chat with others and establish or join groups to connect with people with similar objectives.
6. Bariatric Support Group
If your doctor recommends bariatric surgery, the entire approach will probably change after the surgery. It is necessary to speak to others who are experiencing the same changes.
Ask your bariatric surgery department for a reference to a group for bariatric surgery or try to find a neighboring bariatric surgery group on Meetup.com.
These groups are often available to individuals who have been subjected to weight-loss surgery and to those who are considering the surgery. You may also invite friends and family to take part with you.