Lifestyle Change - A process, not an event

Here are 5 simple steps to aid your clients in achieving a successful long term lifestyle change!

1.       Recognize a need for change – Do you currently have a health condition, or are at risk for developing one? Is running a marathon on your bucket list? Or do you just want to look great at the beach this summer? There are many reasons for wanting to make a lifestyle change, and none of them mean that what you are currently doing is wrong – only that it may be improved.

2.       Establish a goal – When making goals, remember that many small, short term goals lead to larger, long term goals. Psychologist Paul Meyer has developed the acronym SMART to help you create good goals. Keep these in mind when creating your health goals!

Specific – Answer questions “how”, “when” and “where”
Measurable – Use numbers to easily measure your accomplishments
Achievable – Are your goals attainable? Remember to start small!
Realistic – Is this reasonable for you at your PRESENT circumstances? Making an unrealistic goal may set you up for failure.
Timely – Goals should be met within a time period, to give you structure.

(Paul Meyer)

3.       Adopt a goal-directed activity – What steps are needed to reach the goal? Identify any environmental, social or resource barriers and brainstorm creative ways to overcome them

4.       Share your goal – with a spouse, friend or loved one! This creates accountability and makes meeting the goal more fun.

5.       Reward yourself – Once you have made progress on or met your goal, celebrate your accomplishments! Remember, food should never be used as a reward – some ideas for rewards include taking a vacation, going shopping for goal related items like new running shoes, or spending a day at the spa or on the golf course!

Remember, change occurs gradually.  Start with small changes, and be prepared for relapses. Returning to old behaviors is normal, and you do not need to let it sabotage your long term goals!

CR

Meyer, P. (2003). "What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals". Attitude Is Everything: If You Want to Succeed Above and Beyond. The Meyer Resource Group, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-89811-304-4.

Using Effective Open-Ended Questions

I found this article in the recent Academy journal and thought it could be a good resource for improving counseling skills.  The use of open-ended questions is the basis of motivational interviewing, but some fail to facilitate discussion. For example a poor open-ended questions would be "What foods that you normally eat are high in calcium?"  A better question would be "How do you make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet?"  This article explains how to develop successful open-ended questions that will encourage clients to share their thoughts, opinions, feelings, experiences, and hesitations.

-KC

Weight Management Counseling - Body Image

At my current rotation, I led a weight management class on body image. In my preparation, I found a great article written by a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders who interviewed a sociologist who studied the body images of black and white female adolescents with different degrees of weight loss.
Important in any population with disordered eating habits, I think that body image and the psychology of food is especially interesting in the overweight and obese population.  It is the same old "chicken or the egg" argument - which came first? Disordered eating or poor body image. Even while leading the class, one student who had lost a significant amount of weight admitted that when she looked in the mirror, she saw herself at her heaviest weight - which is a risk factor for weight regain and therefore increased disease risk.
 For anyone who is interested in weight management counseling, I think that this article reiterates the interconnectedness of psychology and eating behaviors, and while we can offer up some tips, we also need to know when to refer a client to an HCP who can better meet their non-nutritional counseling needs.

Some pointers from my presentation:

Body image may be defined as our subjective perceptions, thoughts and feelings about the body, and how these are shaped through interactions with others and within a larger societal context (Fain, 2012).

Acknowledging your current body image, understanding how it was developed, accepting your appearance and adjusting to your “new” body are important steps in maintaining your weight loss

 

Working on a new, positive body image:

      Starts with your thoughts, and is expressed through your words

      Embrace and accept your body and your weight loss- Own it!

      Our bodies are a perfect creation. Respect it and treat it as such

      Become comfortable with the sight and appearance of your body as it is right now.

      Appreciate your body for its ability– each time you increase your time on the treadmill, make it up the stairs without getting out of breath or increase the weight or repetitions at the gym, give yourself a pat on the back!

Happy reading!

CR

Fain, J. (May 2012). Lose Weight, Gain Body Confidence? Not Necessarily, Says Purdue Researcher Sarah Mustillo. Accessed April 2013. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jean-fain-licsw-msw/body-image_b_1541946.html

New Bariatric Surgery Guidelines

I was reading through my daily emails from the Academy when I came across an interesting article about bariatric surgery.  The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the Obesity Society recently recommended that eligibility for weight-loss surgery be expanded to include mildly or moderately obese patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.  These patients would have to have a BMI of 30-34.9 to be eligible.  The previous criteria was severe obesity (BMI above 40) or BMI greater than 35 with a serious health problem related to obesity.  You can read more from this news release here.

-KC

Examination of long-term food allergies in children who receive liver transplants

This article is very interesting.  I have been reading lately that children who receive liver transplants can develop food allergies and sensitivities.  This study followed three different children who had developed food allergies and intolerances after a liver transplant to determine a long term prognosis.

This is the article link

Brian W.

Nutrition focus in a clinical setting

I found this interesting article a couple of days ago.  It examines how the focus on clinical dietetics is enhanced when doctors and nurses have greater access to clinical dietitians.  Although it is a couple years old, I believe it still provides insight on how dietitians should make their voices known in a clinical setting because a lot of doctors and nurses are willing to listen and learn, and in the process you may learn something as well.

Enjoy

Brian W.

This is the article link

Selective Eating Disorder: 18 year old girl eats nothing but Ramen noodles

I found this article a few days ago and wanted to share it with you all.  The 18 year old girl in this article has been eating Ramen noodles for 13 years and says she eats nothing but the noodles now.  She hates fruits and vegetables and doesn't want anything else to even touch her plate.  Due to these eating habits, her physician says she is malnourished and has the health of an 80 year old. 

This is the article link

Brian W.