Whether you’re a patient or a provider, you know how quickly time can pass during a health care encounter. Your provider’s priorities may be to discuss your chief complaint, medications, lab results and other chronic medical problems. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to counsel you on managing weight. That’s why I recommend that
If you’re someone who struggles with weight, you may also struggle talking about weight with your health care provider. I know this because for the past 40 years I have talked to thousands of patients about weight and have seen firsthand how difficult this conversation can be for many individuals. Difficulties can range from people
Do you approach improving your weight and health with a more flexible or inflexible mindset? If you’re unsure, here are some questions to ask yourself: Are you someone who has strict rules you tell yourself you must follow? Do you have a long list of forbidden foods that you must not eat? Do you feel
In my practice, stress and coping are topics I regularly address. I try and help patients see the connection between their life stressors, coping skills and overall health. The goal is to help patients cope more healthfully and keep the positive focus they need to maintain their healthy lifestyle habits. If life stressors impair your
Whether you have in internal drive to lose weight to improve self-confidence or feel better, or you are encouraged to lose weight by your health care provider to improve your diabetes or hypertension, sustained motivation is a key factor for long-term success. However, it’s not uncommon for motivation to wax and wane at different points
Strict diet rules are hard to follow for long periods of time. Examples may include banning all carbs from your diet or never allowing yourself to enjoy treat-type foods ever again. Because losing weight and getting healthier are really important to you, you may challenge yourself to follow these rules in hopes that this time
I always ask my new patients how they came to see me. More often than not, they say they asked their primary care provider for help to lose weight. Your primary care provider (PCP) may not be an expert in weight management, but he or she is likely to be an expert in knowing about
Self-monitoring is one of the most important behavioral strategies for improving the healthfulness of your lifestyle. If, for example, you want to lower your blood pressure, you may purchase a blood pressure monitor so you can self-monitor at home. Reaching a health goal is easier to accomplish if you measure it on a regular basis.
Emotions can be high for anyone experiencing lifelong struggles managing weight. At the same time, common feelings of self-doubt or blame along with self-critical thinking can keep you feeling bad about yourself while also sapping the energy you need to better manage weight and improve your health habits. When it comes to weight management, we
When it comes to boosting the healthfulness of your lifestyle, sometimes the first step you take may be the hardest one. With so much conflicting information in the media on the best ways to lose weight and get healthier, you are likely to be confused. You may be asking yourself some common questions: Are all
Whether you’re a patient or a provider, you know how quickly time can pass during a health care encounter. Your provider’s priorities may be to discuss your chief complaint, medications, lab results and other chronic medical problems. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to counsel you on managing weight. That’s why I recommend that
If you’re someone who struggles with weight, you may also struggle talking about weight with your health care provider. I know this because for the past 40 years I have talked to thousands of patients about weight and have seen firsthand how difficult this conversation can be for many individuals. Difficulties can range from people
Do you approach improving your weight and health with a more flexible or inflexible mindset? If you’re unsure, here are some questions to ask yourself: Are you someone who has strict rules you tell yourself you must follow? Do you have a long list of forbidden foods that you must not eat? Do you feel
In my practice, stress and coping are topics I regularly address. I try and help patients see the connection between their life stressors, coping skills and overall health. The goal is to help patients cope more healthfully and keep the positive focus they need to maintain their healthy lifestyle habits. If life stressors impair your
Whether you have in internal drive to lose weight to improve self-confidence or feel better, or you are encouraged to lose weight by your health care provider to improve your diabetes or hypertension, sustained motivation is a key factor for long-term success. However, it’s not uncommon for motivation to wax and wane at different points
Strict diet rules are hard to follow for long periods of time. Examples may include banning all carbs from your diet or never allowing yourself to enjoy treat-type foods ever again. Because losing weight and getting healthier are really important to you, you may challenge yourself to follow these rules in hopes that this time
I always ask my new patients how they came to see me. More often than not, they say they asked their primary care provider for help to lose weight. Your primary care provider (PCP) may not be an expert in weight management, but he or she is likely to be an expert in knowing about
Self-monitoring is one of the most important behavioral strategies for improving the healthfulness of your lifestyle. If, for example, you want to lower your blood pressure, you may purchase a blood pressure monitor so you can self-monitor at home. Reaching a health goal is easier to accomplish if you measure it on a regular basis.
Emotions can be high for anyone experiencing lifelong struggles managing weight. At the same time, common feelings of self-doubt or blame along with self-critical thinking can keep you feeling bad about yourself while also sapping the energy you need to better manage weight and improve your health habits. When it comes to weight management, we
When it comes to boosting the healthfulness of your lifestyle, sometimes the first step you take may be the hardest one. With so much conflicting information in the media on the best ways to lose weight and get healthier, you are likely to be confused. You may be asking yourself some common questions: Are all
