10
Weight Management
Benefits of
Weight-Loss
There are many benefits to weight-loss. Weight-loss as
small as 5 percent has been shown to greatly improve
your overall health and reduce the effects of related
health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart
disease.
It is important to make changes that you can keep long
term. If you feel your weight management plan is not
working, talk with your healthcare provider. Explain your
concerns. They are there to help. And always remember,
Your Weight Matters — For Your Health!
www.YourWeightMatters.org
Chronic
Weight
Management
Options
It has been proven that losing
weight is more than just eating less
and moving more. Thankfully, there
are many options available to help
you manage your weight. While
there are many choices, not all are
created the same. Take time to read
about options and find one that is
safe and effective. What works for
you may not work for someone
else.
For most people living with excess
weight and obesity, initial
weight-loss is part of an overall
weight management plan. Chronic
weight management is a lifelong
journey. Do not become
discouraged by this, weight
management and living a healthy
life are lifelong journeys for nearly
everyone — no matter their current
weight.
When you talk with your healthcare
provider about your weight, you
might discuss some of the options
mentioned in this toolkit. Be honest
with your provider about the weight
management programs you have
used in the past, even if you have
never tried one. Your provider is
there to help.
Lifestyle and
Behavioral
Modification
Your everyday choices are your behaviors. They include
everything from sleeping to what you have for lunch and
if you take the stairs or the elevator. They all fit together
to form your lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is one where you
choose healthy foods, take walks with your family and get
a full night of sleep. Keeping a food journal, joining the
OAC Community (see page 22) and seeing your
healthcare provider are also great ways to maintain a
healthy lifestyle.
Focusing on manageable modifications to improve your
health is important. How you look in the mirror or the size
of your clothes may not change as much or as quickly as
you want. Stay positive, every pound lost is a step toward
a healthier life. Healthy is a lifestyle, not a size.
/www.YourWeightMatters.org