Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

By Dee Sandquist, MS, RD

Director, Center for Weight Management

Southwest Washington Medical Center

Fad diets don’t work for long-term weight control. People who have been able to keep the weight off have found that they need to be committed to making a lifestyle change that includes eating from a variety of foods, regular physical activity, and taking care of themselves emotionally.

What Does it Take to Solve a Weight Problem?
 

People who have lost weight and kept it off have some common characteristics.

First, they have changed their lifestyle to incorporate physical activity and established appropriate meal portion size for their body type . Second, they have moved past the quick-fix and all or nothing approach to weight control. They realize that weight didn’t come on overnight and it won’t come off overnight. Finally, those that have achieved long-term weight loss have learned how to take care of themselves emotionally. The importance of taking care of oneself is one of the most overlooked areas of fad diets.  It’s important to identify stressors that can cause overeating to occur. Nurture yourself and identify real needs that may be contributing to overeating such as boredom, social eating, sadness, or other stressful circumstances. Once identified, you can learn strategies to take care of yourself to prevent using food as a tool for emotional healing.  Once the unwanted weight has been lost it is essential to maintain physical activity in order to ensure that the unwanted pounds do not return. 

SWMC’s Center for Weight Management
 

New in 2005, the Center for Weight Management at Southwest Washington Medical Center (SWMC) takes a personal approach to help each person develop long-term weight success. We understand that different methods of weight management work for different people. Our team will work with you to find the best option for a long-term weight success in a supportive environment.

The Center for Weight Management offers medically supervised programs, support groups, and retraining on how to navigate the toxic food environment that contributes to unwanted weight. We also offer one-on-one counseling with a registered dietitian for people who choose to meet privately in a supportive environment.

For those who are more than 100 lbs overweight, bariatric surgery may be an option.  The Center for Weight Management, in collaboration with Pacific Surgical Specialists, offers this state-of-the-art surgical option to treat obesity. The bariatric surgery team includes a registered dietitian, psychologist, and nurse who coordinates services to provide successful long term weight loss and maintenance.

For information on the Center for Weight Management at Southwest Washington Medical Center, please call (360)514-2500 or visit us at www.swmedicalcenter.com.

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