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The Art and Science of Weight Loss Counselling

Posted on: Sunday, 2 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Anonymous

Weight loss counselling can be a daunting job, as anyone who works in this field will tell you. In our obesogenic culture, there is constant pressure to overeat - food is everywhere and portion sizes are big. Factor in our sedentary jobs and hectic lifestyles, and we have an environment ripe for weight gain.

Meal plans and portion size guides are a start, but I have learned that helping people lose weight is much more an art than a science. Dietitians are well-trained in the science - energy balance, protein/ carbohydrate ratios, reduced fat intakes - but these strategies have little chance of long-term effectiveness if they cannot be brought into the reality of our clients' day-to-day lives. And this, as I see it, is the art of weight loss counselling.

In my clinic, I use a ten-week weight loss program that is designed to help clients lose one to two pounds a week. But more importantly, the goal is to establish lasting lifestyle changes that will guide clients in meeting their weight goals throughout their lives. It is rewarding to see clients gain control of their relationships with food, and to see the positive effect this has on their well-being.

Here are some of the key lessons that my experience has taught me about the art of weight loss:

* There is no one-size-fits-all. Some people do better with a little more carbohydrate in their diets, others with a little more protein. Some will never eat breakfast, even though they know it is good for them. Working with clients is about finding an eating pattern that fits.

* Weight loss has to be a priority. Clients rarely lack the desire to lose weight, but they often lack the desire to make it a priority. Weight loss is hard work, and it requires an ongoing daily commitment.

* There will never be a perfect time to start. The right time is now. There's always going to be a holiday, a wedding, or a new job. Successful weight loss is about learning how to manage all of these different situations.

* Weight loss is not a straight line. There will be inevitable ups and downs, with many challenges along the way. Without the awareness that patterns will likely be inconsistent, clients can easily get discouraged.

* The 'why' is important. Why is eating breakfast important? Why do foods with a low glycemic index help? Why is cutting down on fat a good idea? A brief explanation can go a long way.

* The scale lies. So many factors affect the scale - fluid and carbohydrate intake, time of day, hormonal patterns, salt intake - on any given day a scale reading can be very misleading. Long-term patterns are important, not day-to-day numbers.

* Watch out for friendly sabotaging. This is surprisingly common. Some people need 'partners in crime' when they're overindulging. Others might be a little envious of a person's commitment to healthy eating. Clients need to recognize that sometimes people might be less than supportive of their weight loss efforts, and they should stay focused on their own goals.

* Weight loss cannot be about deprivation. If it is, then it will be a struggle, and one that will end in failure sooner or later. Healthy eating means eating foods that you love and enjoy; this is even more important when a person is trying to lose weight.

* Life isn't fair. This goes for weight loss too. Some people will easily lose two pounds or more a week, while others will struggle hard for one pound. Each person has to work with their own metabolism and patterns and try not to compare themselves to others.

* Weight loss is a BIG accomplishment. Even if a person's eventual goal is 50 pounds, each ten pounds lost should be celebrated, because that's a big achievement. Breaking down a larger goal into smaller steps makes the process more manageable. And sometimes, such as over the holidays, not gaining weight is a major accomplishment.

And probably themost important lesson of all:

* For people to be successful at weight loss, they have to take ownership of the job. Often people look to a program, trainer, or dietitian to provide the magic. But as we know, there is no magic. It's all about healthy eating and living. Each person has to get the job done for themselves; we can only help. When people take responsibility for losing weight, then they also can take credit for their successes.

Contact Information:

Susan Fyshe, MHSc, RD

Toronto, ON

(416) 233-7094

sfyshe@sympatico.ca

Copyright Dietitians of Canada Spring 2006

Source: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research

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