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Effectively manage your weight  For information about the Weight Management Center and to have your BMI calculated, visit the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4 in the Children’s Hospital lobby. by Tonya Shipman, registered dietitian, and Josh Brown, Ph.D.    The MUSC Weight Management Center (WMC) offers a number of programs to serve the different needs of different people. However, all of WMC's programs include a strong emphasis on helping people to make the long-term lifestyle changes that are so important for success in the long run.   These changes are the ABCD’S of lifestyle change: q  Activity changes—Exercise is crucial to the long-term success of a weight loss program. No single exercise program is right for everyone, so it is important to create and work towards an exercise program that is effective and reasonable for you. Behavioral changes—Habits and behaviors are important parts of your lifestyle and, therefore, your weight. Many behaviors are automatic, occurring without even thinking about them. Monitoring behaviors is one of the most important tools for changing your lifestyle and managing your weight. Regularly graphing your weight and keeping eating diaries are important habits to develop. Cognitive (thinking) changes—Thought patterns are as important as behavior patterns. Associations to food and thoughts about dieting affect your ability to successfully watch your weight. It is important to become more aware of and change the thought patterns that lead to overeating or sabotaging progress. Dietary changes—Successful long-term weight loss and overall health depend on a healthy diet. A registered dietitian can help form an eating plan with which you can live. Support systems—The process of losing weight and growing accustomed to new ways of dealing with food can be difficult. Friends, family, and co-workers can be great sources of support; they can also be harmful when it comes to your attempts to make lifestyle changes. Visit http://www.muschealth.com/weight or call 792-CARE (2273) to schedule for a free consultation to learn which program is best for you. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, March 30, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.