People, not Patients

The medical profession has a tough task in trying to combat obesity. It’s not simple. It’s costly and it’s frustrating.

As a nutritionist, I’m personally frustrated. We need to be more creative in our approach. We need to champion smart people and organizations to work with people (not patients) to move in the right direction. We need to listen more. Talk less. We also need to work as teams. Straightforward communication is key.

Recently a client shared a handout of directions from his new doctor about what he NEEDED TO DO to lose weight. It was a list of high calorie foods to be avoided at all costs. Or he’d fail.

The list was a slash and burn of foods, many of them nutrient-dense and real foods that any trained nutrition professional would include in daily in a sound weight loss plan. It also included one line about how it was ok to have artificial sweeteners (really?, that’s not even food, but go ahead, have all you want).

It was a typed list, New Times Roman font, totally uninspiring and didactic, like the kind of handout you get for a colonoscopy prep. Everyone gets the same one. You either succeed or fail. Follow the list. FOLLOW THE LIST. See you in six months.

Here’s the thing that really gets me. This client has been doing incredibly well with his weight loss and lifestyle goals. We’ve been working together weekly through video sessions. We check in about what’s going well and what’s not. We set goals, together, but mostly he does the goal setting and I give him advice to balance it all out. We talk about a new food to try each week. Real food. Real cooking. Recipes. Walking. Shooting a few hoops. Doing things he enjoys. Things he’s never done before. Things he never thought he could do before.

Did the doctor ask him about that? Did he ask him about his success? How he felt? No, just treated him as another number and handed him the paper of what he must do.

This simple piece of paper just reduced 11 months of our hard work to a second guess. So, yeah, I’m frustrated.

We can do better. We must do better. Let’s get back to listening more and fostering real relationships, inspiring ones. That’s how we’ll make changes that last a lifetime.

“I Know What To Do, I Just Don’t Do It”

We talk about prevention and lifestyle change, but what does it actually entail?

Prevention means eating healthfully, exercising, getting quality sleep, decreasing stress, enjoying meaningful relationships and managing finances. These all deserve a slice of the wellness pie and are known to be cost-effective strategies for reducing our chances of getting chronic disease or the progression of these burdensome conditions. We know this much.

Our healthcare system can’t support the sickcare model any longer. It’s time to stop talking about prevention. We need to do something. Something large scale, innovative and sustainable. And, we need to do it right now. (more…)

New Year, New Resolution, New You

At this time every year, we make resolutions for the future. Often times those resolutions are about getting healthy, losing weight, eating better, and other healthful adjustments to daily living. Unfortunately, shortly after these resolutions are made they are discontinued or placed “on hold”. This year it is possible to make the change and stick to it. All it takes is following the 5 steps of the “stages of change” within the “transtheoretical”, or behavior change, model. These steps include pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

1. Pre-contemplation- Unprepared to make a change in your behavior.
2. Contemplation- Determine the change you want to make in your life.
3. Preparation- Collect all of the things you need to make your resolution.
4. Action- Make your change and keep it.
5. Maintenance- Keep your resolution for 6 months. You have finally reached maintenance.

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Wedding season is here.

Are you prepared to make an entrance? Whether it’s a graduation, reunion, or wedding celebration – there’s always something happening during the summer – and with all that partying comes the challenge of looking your best. Many people use desperate measures to look good. But what if I told you that focusing on how you feel is really what’s most important. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel healthy, fit, and confident for the big day? Here are some tips on how to make positive changes so you can feel your best for summer’s occasions.

5 healthy changes to try now:

• Quit a bad habit. Overcome your tendency toward a bad habit by making daily goals. If you have failed at changing your behavior in the past, investigate why and learn from your mistakes.
• Take up a healthy habit. Do something that inspires you. You’ll be happy to have a genuine response to the inevitable party question, “What have you been up to?”
• Make healthy eating choices. Start in the grocery store where you hold all the power. Focus your shopping around the perimeter of the store where you’ll find whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs.
• Sleep better. Try going to bed earlier and waking up with the sunrise. Summer mornings are incredible for contemplating, exercising, and getting things done.
• Develop an exercise routine. Don’t bother with an activity you hate doing – find something that’s fun, you’re more likely to stick with it. Buddy up with a friend and keep each other going.

Not ready to change? No problem. Change is hard and achievable only when you are motivated. Afraid of failure? Prove yourself wrong. The best way to achieve something you do not think you can do is to reach out to people who have already accomplished that thing. It’s pretty easy to find experts in almost any area of your choosing.

Go forth and find inner peace in the things you can change to feel great, let go, and have fun at this summer’s festivities.

By Liz Schneider