Infuse Infuse 9 September 2019 | Page 12

Could Habits Hold the Key
to Maintaining Weight Loss?
#habitchange
by Dr. Gina Cleo, PhD APD
T
ype “diet for weight loss” into
Google and nearly 51 million
results appear. Yet no matter
the diet, the evidence shows majority
will not aid long-term weight loss. In
fact, in the first year most people will
regain 50% of weight lost, and much of
the rest in the following three years.
We inherently know keeping a healthy weight
boils down to three things: eating healthy, eating
less, and being active. But despite best intentions,
doing this can be tough. We make hundreds of
food decisions a day, most of which appear to be
automatic or habitual. We generally unconsciously
eat without reflection, deliberation or any sense of
awareness of what or how much food we select and
consume. And all too often our habitual behaviors,
override our intentions.
Images courtesy of Dr. Gina Cleo
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | September 2019