September 1, 2005

Weight Loss Support

Whenever anyone takes upon themselves any long term project a good support system is key to their success. There are many support systems out there.

I'm going to talk about a program that many people overlook or are too embarrassed to think about attending. When I was in the US Navy we had to pass a fitness test twice a year. Part of the test was being below a certain bodyfat percentage. Toward the end of my career I came in above the limit for the second time. The Navy is a family so they have programs setup to help you succeed in your career. One such program was designed to educate the sailor in healthy eating, nutrition and fitness. I was enrolled in this program.

Weight Loss Camp ImageThe Fat Farm.... OK it isn't a fat camp or fat farm per se, but we have always joked about it as such, now I get the chance to experience it for three weeks in person.

I had heard the horror tales from years past. The fat suit with extra weight sewed into it to help with fitness or the very heavy bike that you are forced to ride for endless hours. Visions of sweat soaked days and aching muscles filled my thoughts.

The truth is that the Navy program was excellent. I didn't actually go to a camp I reported to another building on base for the training. Those horror tales were either rumors or a very old program because what I experienced was a very modern, well structured, highly beneficial program. The goal of the program was "To increase the number of active duty who are living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy body composition."

Each day started with a group exercise activity (most played Wallyball), this was important to bring these relative strangers together as a functioning team. The educational periods were conducted in groups. In between educational periods group therapy was conducted (twice a day) so everyone could learn they weren't alone in there experiences or feelings.Weight Loss Activity Image

This program covered the four main areas you need to understand to maintain a new and healthy lifestyle:

Nutrition
Fitness
Psychology
Support

This brings me to the item that I started this post about Support. During my three weeks in this program I was required to attend OA meetings twice a week.

What's OA? Overeaters Anonymous aka OA. Overeaters Anonymous offers a program of recovery from compulsive overeating. Their website says:
Unlike other organizations, OA is not just about weight loss, obesity or diets; it addresses physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It is not a religious organization and does not promote any particular diet. To address weight loss, OA encourages members to develop a food plan with a health care professional and a sponsor. If you want to stop your compulsive eating, welcome to Overeaters Anonymous.
I was in a small Maine town and was able to find meetings to attend. These meetings were very enlightening. No one was there preaching at you or trying to help you find god. These were people, who like many of us, ate too much. They shared their experiences, what worked for them and where they failed. Many had been part of the group for years and there were many successes to gain strength from.
OA Image
Are you a compulsive overeater? Go here and review their checklist.

This organization doesn't charge a fee and there are no weigh-ins that sometimes are a source of stress. If you are looking for help on a budget you can't find a better group of people.

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