Weight Loss and Support Systems

It is no surprise that social networking sites have proliferated, people naturally (for the most part) want to interact and cooperate with others. This is desire is typically learned before their first birthday. It is also very empowering and potentially very efficient. Learning how and when to use those associations are among the first lessons a child learns, no startling revelations so far. How do I get what I want, be it food or drink, comfort, diaper change, etc. It has been shown, through University of Oregon brain studies that communication and tool use recognition and intentionality originate in the same place in the brain. It's not much of a stretch to conclude that the developing child operates with the knowledge that language is a tool. The point of this groundwork is to point out and encourage people who want to lose weight or exercise or for that matter do anything difficult, to use communication to help them through the employment of a support system, at this point I'm firmly convince it ranks as one of the best ways to lose weight. I've spent more than half of my life counseling others in a variety of settings including suicide prevention and inevitably one of my first curiosities about the client I'm trying to assist is do they have a support system in place and are they using it.

Yale University studies have shown the children as young as 9 months of age can quickly and accurately discriminate between cooperative and non-cooperative operators, meaning it is already important to them that those around them do what they believe they (the child) should be doing. This brings us to our use of the support system or group. Simply put, we should populate our support system with people that are helpful and will not place a drag on our endeavor. By this, I don't mean Yes Men who will always agree with us, rather people who can share our vision and maybe our journey in a positive manner for our sake. Members of a support system could be one's acquaintances, friends, classmates, coworkers, family members and, believe it or not, total strangers, if it's done right. Remember relationships such as a support group require a two-way commitment; it's not just what you can do for me.

In the context of weight loss and exercise the use of a support group is not only obvious it's been commercialized and monetized for years, just look at the masters of support systems like, Weight Watchers, AA, sports franchises, etc.

I don't want to dwell on it, but is will be no surprise to hear, that even our closest friends and family are at times not supportive and, in fact, just the opposite, I'm not saying cut the ties, just exclude them from this challenge, see how it goes with a team of supporters instead, and if it fails, just like they said, so be it.

My dad was very demanding when it came to teaching me how to drive (standard 3 speed shift on the column didn't help much either) and I found his help and support more stressful than it was worth, so I asked a friend to help, license in two weeks. Don't close down (yes rejection is a hurtful thing) open up, continue to reach out, work at socializing. I spent nine years in college studying Psychology and Counseling among other things and some of the most important lessons learned came later from my wife, who was smarter than me and invested in me. When I would resist interacting with others because, in my mind, they were self-serving and not interested in others or boring or whatever, she would suggest that maybe they might benefit from interacting with me, so try sharing, good stuff. Try not to go it alone enlist help where and when you can and offer it as often as you are able. Remember, putting the power of the support system to work for you ranks as one of the best ways to lose weight.

Guy M. Hoelen has worked in a variety of professions over the years, including adult education within the technical and personal/management development areas and mental health counseling including crisis intervention. His consulting company, Austech Enterprises will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. His current website [http://www.liveyourlifelighter.com] focuses upon weight loss, nutrition, and the sharing of accumulated wisdom. By the way, do you want to learn more about losing weight and the inspiration and motivation to do so?
If so, I suggest you check this out: Begin Losing Weight Now [http://www.liveyourlifelighter.com/WL-Landing-page.html]

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