Healthyroads Offers Six Tips to Keep Your Weight Management Goals on Track During Healthy Weight Week January 17–23
SAN DIEGO (January 14, 2010) –
Millions of Americans have made weight management one of their top priorities in 2010, and with the right tools and support in place, they can achieve their goals of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. One of the keys to success is to not give up when things don’t go exactly as planned, according toDouglas Metz, DC, chief health services officer for Healthyroads, the prevention and wellness management subsidiary of national health and wellness company American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).
“Traditionally, many Americans start the New Year excited about their resolutions, but get discouraged by the second or third week, especially if they feel they’ve already missed their diet goals,” saidDr. Metz. “It’s important to understand that successful weight management is best accomplished by adopting healthy life behaviors, rather than following some kind of restrictive diet. And those life changes don’t happen overnight. Adopting healthy habits is an ongoing process that requires patience, support, and education.”
As part of Healthy Weight Week, Healthyroads offers six tips to keep consumers inspired and motivated to achieve their weight management goals.
1. Set Realistic Goals
One of the biggest ways to sabotage your weight management plan is to set unrealistic goals. Start by checking with your doctor to determine what your healthy weight should be. Then set an achievable weekly or monthly goal, such as losing one pound a week, rather than focusing on some overwhelming number like losing 30 pounds. Breaking goals into smaller, more manageable pieces can greatly increase your success and instantly set you on a positive course.
2. Don’t Just Focus on Weight Loss
Healthy weight management is achieved by improving overall health habits, not by dieting. Your plan should include: a daily exercise program of cardiovascular and strength training; the addition of fun, active hobbies, such as dancing, tennis, golf, hiking, or biking; substituting fresh, whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for processed foods that contain high fats and sugars; and managing stress that can trigger overeating or poor food choices.
3. Build a Support Network
Let your friends and family know about your goals and ask them to support you. Join a walking or biking club, and participate in health challenges at your worksite if they are offered. The more you surround yourself with supportive or like-minded people, the greater your chances of sticking to your healthy habits and achieving your goals.
4. Get Professional Support
Work with a professional health coach. Health coaches are specially trained professionals (such as dietitians and certified personal trainers) who provide regular, on-going telephone support and counsel to individuals trying to change unhealthy behaviors. Health coaching has been called one of the most powerful wellness tools you can use to help curb unhealthy habits. For example, with the Healthyroads® lifestyle coaching program, over 88 percent of coaching participants make a measurable and sustainable health improvement in the first 12 months -- including improved fitness, weight loss, and reduction of health risks. Check with your employer to find out if your health benefits include a free health coaching program.
5. Don’t Let Small Mistakes Derail You
Some people get discouraged when they fall off the “health wagon” and don’t exercise for a few days or eat unhealthy foods. Don’t let one or two slip-ups derail you from your goal. Get right back on your bandwagon and you’ll see results.
6. Celebrate Your Successes
Every achievement deserves recognition. Give yourself a gold star for each day you drink eight glasses of water, eat five servings of fruits and vegetables, or exercise, then when you reach a certain number of stars, reward yourself with something special like a massage, a movie, or a new pair of earrings. There is nothing more motivating than recognizing and rewarding your healthy achievements.
“Stay positive, stay strong, and stay motivated, and you’ll achieve your health goals,” added Dr. Metz.
About American Specialty Health and Healthyroads
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health and wellness company that provides prevention and wellness services, health improvement programs, specialty network management programs, and fitness and exercise services to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego since its inception in 1987, ASH has more than 700 employees and covers over 15.6 million members.
Healthyroads, Inc. is the prevention and wellness services subsidiary of ASH. Healthyroads offers a wide range of wellness solutions -- including award-winning telephone-based coaching programs for a broad range of lifestyle areas, incentive management programs, competitive challenges, worksite programs and its integrated Web site, Healthyroads.com.
For more information about ASH health and wellness programs, visit www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.