Eat less, Do more

by Guest Blogger, Susan Laramee, Clinical Recruitment Manager

Last week we celebrated the arrival of 2010, and like most of you, I committed to my New Year’s resolutions. For many Americans, the New Year’s resolutions often include “losing weight,” “eating healthy” and “exercise more.” All reflect our desire to be thinner and more fit, and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Succeeding with these resolutions would allow each of us to improve our health, but unfortunately, by the end of January most of us will have forgotten all the good intentions we had on New Year’s Day when we declared this goal.

If you are one of the millions who have made losing weight your 2010 goal, you have a lot of company, and a lot of help. Beginning with the day after Christmas, there has been a steady series of TV spots with stories and information to help motivate you to lose weight, magazine and newspaper articles, advertisements for products on services in all the media, and dozens of websites designed to assist you with your goal. Just this morning as I was eating breakfast there was a TV promotion for “The Biggest Loser,” Martha Stewart was preparing quick, low calorie meals, in between ads for weight loss programs, and the Wall Street Journal featured a full page article on the benefits of exercise. Weight loss in the US is a billion dollar industry and there are products and services to meet the needs of every potential dieter – weight loss groups, companies that will provide you with food, plans tailored for those with medical conditions such as diabetes, diet books, websites, such as WebMD with weight loss information, and sites that will provide one-on-one support. There are also gym memberships, fitness equipment and programs, and personal trainers ready to provide exercise programs. .

All successful weight loss programs have one common principle – Eat less, Do more. This remains the basis for successful weight loss. Despite all the promises of diet books and plans, each with their unique prescription for losing weight, this remains the fundamental goal for a long-term weight loss program. Most of us can be successful without any special program or service – many people, once they make a personal commitment, find that they can lose weight by limiting caloric intake each day and developing a daily habit of exercise The trick is to find the approach that works for you, that can fit into your lifestyle, and that you can maintain. Those excess pounds did not appear magically overnight, and will not disappear without a long-term plan.

How can you find out what is right for you? Many will benefit from a consultation with a Registered Dietitian (RD) who has expertise in weight management. Look for a Registered Dietitian who has completed the “Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management” offered by the American Dietetic Association – there are more than 10,000 RD’s in the US who have completed this specialized training. At Sodexo we have developed a program, offered in many of our health care accounts, called “Create Your Weight” – a nine week program, available for adults and children, taught by a Registered Dietitian. This program is focused on individual goals and with group support. Weight management information is also available on the Sodexo Wellness site.

And for me?

My 2010 resolution (as in years past) is to follow my own advice – Eat Less, Do More. I have purged my home of all the left-over holiday goodies including my very favorite, chocolate. I have stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products, whole grains and lean meats, and pulled out all my favorite low fat, low calorie recipes. I’ve committed to a 30 minute brisk walk each morning before work (I live in Florida, so I do not need to cope with cold, snow and ice). And of course, I am looking forward to the chocolate lover’s favorite holiday a short six weeks from now – Valentine’s Day – when I plan to reward my efforts with a bit of chocolate as a treat!

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Susan Laramee
Clinical Recruitment Manager

Susan joined Sodexo after being employed at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, where she held a number of management and clinical specialist positions. She is a past-president of the American Dietetic Association, and currently serve as a member of Commission on Dietetic Registration. In recognition of her leadership, professional achievements and mentoring, she was the recipient of ADA’s prestigious Medallion Award, Outstanding Dietitian of the Year in Massachusetts, and Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Allied Health at Syracuse University.

Susan completed her B.S. degree at Syracuse University, Syracuse NY, M.S. degree at Boston University, Boston, MA, and is a graduate of the Dietetic Internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.