Three Steps to Losing Weight in the New Year
Premier HealthNet Doctor, Patient Encourage Others to Stay the Course
DAYTON, Ohio (January 7, 2013) – Five, four, three, two, one, Happy New Year! This familiar chant is one that many shared when the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve. It also marked the moment that many Americans will begin working on their resolutions to lose weight. This year, Dr. Sally McIntyre, a Premier HealthNet physician practicing at Belmont Physicians, has sound advice for those who want to successfully and safely lose weight in 2013.
“I give my patients three suggestions when they let me know they want to lose weight,” says Dr. McIntyre. “One, watch your diet; two, be active; and three, stay on course.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 70 percent of Americans were overweight in 2010, which is perhaps one reason why losing weight tends to be among the top resolutions made every year. And while fad diets may seem like a quick way to shed the unwanted pounds, Dr. McIntyre says that to make the results last, a dieter should stick to those three basics. That seemingly simple prescription changed the life of Barbara Kohlrieser, a Belmont resident and longtime patient of Dr. McIntyre’s. After decades of obesity and facing the prospect of spending decades more in a wheelchair because of weight-induced limited mobility, Kohlrieser found that eating less, being active and staying on course was how she was finally able to get healthy.
“I went from a size 20 or 22 down to a size 10, and I lost 60 pounds total,” said the 65-year-old Kohlrieser. “I’m tremendously healthier, my blood pressure went down, my cholesterol went down and the pain in my knees has, for the most part, completely disappeared.”
With diet and exercise at the forefront of a New Year’s weight loss plan, Dr. McIntyre notes that staying the course is perhaps the most important step in achieving success. Those who are the most serious about shedding pounds and keeping them off should keep track of their food intake, weight loss and activity levels, Dr. McIntyre says, adding that daily monitoring helps a dieter maintain consistency and reach long-term goals.
“Getting a trainer at your local gym is also a terrific way to go, because it will safely start you off on good exercise habits,” says Dr. McIntyre. “Plus, having appointments makes people more likely to exercise and less likely to cancel.”
In Kolhreiser’s case, she tracked her food intake using Weight Watchers. “That’s how I dropped the first 30 pounds,” Kohlrieser said. “I lost the rest when I got the help of a trainer and started visiting the gym six days a week.”
While it’s helpful to be excited about jumping into an exercise and weight loss program, Dr. McIntyre also notes that it’s important to set realistic goals and to go slow in order to avoid frustration.
“It’s also important to expect setbacks from time-to-time,” says Dr. McIntyre. “When that happens, don’t turn a single splurge into an excuse for an all-out binge. Most importantly, be patient and reward yourself when goals are achieved.”
Kohlrieser agrees, noting that her journey towards healthier living has taken nearly three years to achieve. “I have gained 15 pounds since losing the 60 pounds, but that just goes to the point that nothing is set in stone,” Kohlrieser said. “You can’t begin to relax once you achieve a goal; you have to continue working on it.”
Read more about Barbara's Story.
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