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ROCHESTER,
Minn., Feb. 19, 2003
Fad
diets may result in weight loss but rarely lead to
successful maintenance of a healthy weight according
to the book, Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight.
To successfully lose weight and keep it off requires a lifestyle change. First
comes the commitment and preparation -- deciding whether the time is right to
change. Other issues in your life may need changing before you can begin losing
weight.
Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight recommends you ask yourself these questions before
starting a weight-loss plan:
* How motivated am I to change my lifestyle?
* Am I willing to look at my past success and failures, in weight loss and other
areas of my life, to see what motivates me and keeps me working on things that
are obstacles to my success?
* Do I believe that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong
process that requires me to change my behavior, my eating habits and my level
of physical activity, and am I ready to make that commitment?
* Can I view this as a positive, even pleasurable, experience?
* Are my weight-loss goals realistic?
* What's going on in my life now and over the next several months and how will
this affect my commitment?
* Will family and friends support my efforts?
* Can I change my eating behavior?
Honesty is essential in answering these questions. Knowing you need to make a
change and being prepared for the challenge are different. Having the right mental
attitude is important. Focusing on your overall health will help you develop
healthy habits. With healthy habits, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
will fit into your overall plan for good health. Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight can
help you make your own complete plan for healthy weight loss.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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