Fit to Print Volume 22, Issue 4 : December 2013 | Page 10

E AT S M A R T !

By Rachel Ezelius, RD

That’s What Friends Are For
Join Eat Smart’s Community of Healthy Eaters
determined as you, it is much easier to
stay on course and reach your goal.
After baby number three, I had my own
unwanted weight to lose (45lbs.) Even
being a dietitian and knowing all about
the process, it was my support system
that helped me get back on track. I know
the challenges: I was on modified bed rest
and couldn't exercise (just like those with
injuries), at the same time my kitchen
was being renovated so I had no place to
cook, and my days were busy chasing my
little boys. Just like anyone with a
packed schedule with little time to plan

A

s January approaches you are
probably debating trying last year's
failed New Year's diet resolutions
again. But even in your planning, you are
already worried that you won't be able to
stick with it. You are all gung-ho and
committed in the beginning, but you just
don't know how to sustain your enthusiasm.
Perhaps you are unsuccessful because you
are trying to do it alone. Let's face it, being
healthy can be hard work, but when it is
social and fun it stops being work and
actually becomes something you want to do.
You are more likely to succeed if you have
support from friends and/or family to face
these food challenges. It seems more doable
and, dare I say, at times even fun! Research
has shown that organized weight loss groups
have a higher success rate than individuals
who attempt to do it on their own. So
maybe that is what you need to do
differently this year, find people with the
same goals and work together. So where do
you find these people? The Fitness Incentive
is a great place to start looking!
A weight loss plan only works if you stay
with it. And as any successful dieter will tell
you, it's much easier to lose weight when
you follow a realistic plan and look at it as a
lifestyle rather than a deprivation diet. A
'diet' is simply what you eat, which means
you are always on one. The diet either works
for you and you achieve and maintain the
weight you want, or it doesn't work. When
you are on a plan that has plenty of support
and accountability you are not alone and
don't have to come up with all the weight
loss 'strategies' by yourself. Sharing sample
meals and grocery lists, recipes and tips on
nutrition takes a lot of the hard work out of
dieting. Also, a diet support group filled
with dependable people makes it harder to
create excuses and fall off the weight-losswagon. When you are surrounded by a
community of people who are equally

10

Research has shown that
organized weight loss groups
have a higher success rate
than individuals who attempt
to do it on their own.
or cook the pounds seemed to find me
easily. The challenge was to break those
bad eating habits. What definitely
motivated me to be a healthier version of
me were my friends and family who were
also trying to be a healthier version of
themselves. Not surprisingly, the opposite
influence is also said to be true. In the
New England Journal of Medicine a study
of 12,000 people over 32 years, found
that people with close friends who were
obese had a much higher chance of
becoming obese as well. The theory- if
you are with your friends and they are
overeating, you probably will too.
So starting this January, Eat Smart is
becoming Fitness Incentive's community
of healthy eaters. Eat Smart is providing
an opportunity to participate in monthly
weigh-ins and workshops challenges.
Several studies have shown those who
weigh themselves regularly weigh less. A
study from the University of Minnesota
monitored 1,800 dieting adults. They
found those who weighed themselves
regularly lost an average of 12 pounds
over 2 years, where those who weighed
less often only lost 6 pounds. Weigh-ins
will include weight, body fat and 9-point
measurements that will be measured and
recorded. Records will be kept and
emailed after each monthly weigh-in to
keep track of your progress.

Holidays 2013 FIT to Print

In addition to monthly weigh-in
opportunities there will be monthly group
workshops focused on current hot nutrition
topics such as clean eating, the gluten hype,
anti-inflammatory foods, supplement use,
etc. At these group meetings, education and
tools will be given to help you on your
journey, and you will meet others with the
same food issues or concerns. The great
thing is that it won't have to stop at once a
month workshops. There will be the an
optional Facebook group available to join
where the group can post comments,
recipes, ideas and inspirations for each
other throughout the month. Eat Smart will
provide mini challenges throughout the
month that correspond with the monthly
workshop topic. All of this will help keep
you motivated and accountable!
You've worked hard before to improve your
diet habits but this time you will stick with
it, and now you can reward yourself by
celebrating with your support group and
friends.
January's WEIGH-IN
Wednesday, January 1st or Saturday,
January 4th, 10-10:30am
Description: Anyone can be weighed and
measured monthly. If you are participating
in the monthly challenges you will be
excited about your progress. Weight, body
fat and measurements will be recorded.
This can also be used by anyone that just
wants a monthly weigh-in. Records will be
kept and emailed after each monthly's
weigh-in to keep track of your progress.
Cost: $15
Appointment times will made available in 5
minute increments. Schedule will be made
available in December to hold your spot
January's CHALLENGE- CLEAN EATING
Wednesday, January 1st or Saturday,
January 4th 10:30-11:30am
Description: This one hour workshop will
focus on: out with the old (2013 holiday
foods) and in with the new (2014 CLEAN
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