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Tips to effectively manage your weight

Stop by the Health 1st Wellness Wednesday table between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Children’s Hospital lobby to learn about programs offered by the staff at the Weight Management Center

by Joshua D. Brown, Ph.D. (clinical psychologist), and Tonya Turner, registered dietitian
The MUSC Weight Management Center offers a number of programs to serve the needs of different people. However, all of the programs include a strong emphasis on helping people to make the long-term lifestyle changes that are important for success in the long run.These changes are the ABCD’s of lifestyle change:
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
Your habits and behaviors are important parts of your lifestyle and, therefore, your weight. Many of your behaviors are automatic, occurring without you even thinking about them. Monitoring your behavior is one of the most important tools for helping change your lifestyle and manage your weight. Regularly graphing your weight and keeping eating diaries are important new habits to develop.

Cognitive (thinking) changes
Your thought patterns are as important as your behavior patterns. Your associations with food and your thoughts about dieting affect your ability to successfully manage your weight. It is important to become more aware of and change the thought patterns that lead you to overeat or sabotage your own progress.

Dietary changes
Successful long-term weight loss and overall health depend on a healthy diet. A registered dietitian can help you 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. Your 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.
 
Weight Management Center staff will be at the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct.  8. Come have your body mass index calculated and talk with the staff about programs offered.
 
To schedule a free consultation to learn whichprogram is best for you, visit http://www.MUSChealth.com/weight or call 792-CARE (2273).
 
Discounts and payroll deduction options also are offered to MUSC affiliated employees.

Health 1st events
  • Farmers Market expands. Get fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers from local farmers from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. right here on campus Fridays in the Horseshoe (location is subject to change and will be announced on broadcast messages and the Health 1st Web site). In addition, locally-grown fruits and vegetables are  available at Charleston Memorial Hospital (in the grassy area in the back of the facility next to the parking garage and ART) from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
  • Running Club. Join MUSC’s running club on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. This is for any pace and running level. See flyer for details.
  • La Leche League. Breastfeeding or considering it? La Leche League of Charleston offers mother-to-mother support, monthly meetings, and telephone help from accredited leaders. Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of every month in Room 501, Children’s Hospital, at 11:30 a.m.
  • Mobile van mammogram. For a convenient way to have a mammogram, the Hollings Cancer Center van will be on campus Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 792-0878.
 
For information on Health 1st events, call 792-1245 or 792-9959. Visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/health1st/.
 

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
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.