Friday, May 22, 2009

weight loss and "finish lines"

Yesterday I saw a patient who returned to our program after gaining about 5 pounds from her previous low about a year ago. Originally, she and her daughter had come in with the major motivation being slimming down for the daughter's wedding. They both did an incredible job last year of losing well over 30 pounds each. They reached their goals and both were thrilled with their "new look" for the wedding attire. This was a year ago.

Yesterday the mother returned and although she had only gained back 5 pounds in the year, she told me her daughter gained back many pounds. This motivated me again to write about the concept of "finish lines", meaning that when someone has his/her major weight loss motivation being an event, such as a wedding, reunion, etc., when that date passes, the odds are VERY strong the person will immediately go back to old behaviors and gain the weight back.

It is great to look great for a special occasion, but it is obviously even more important to be healthier for the rest of your life. Use both as motivations, and take away the concept of a "finish line" to your efforts to be healthier and happier.

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