Will Disillusioned Atkins & South Beach Diet Participants Seek Weight Watchers & Dr. Phil Weight Solutions?
by Anonymous

August 18, 2004 -- Not everyone can hack a low-carb, protein-rich diet plan. Just as the hype around the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet has reached a fever pitch, many dieters are finding that diets alone are not doing the trick. "A number of my clients are dealing with weight issues and have found that an approach which includes attention to psychological aspects and behavior modification, such as Dr. Phil's ‘Ultimate Weight Solution,' and/or a combination of practical nutrition and support systems, such as Weight Watchers are more suitable," states Dr. Allison Conner, a New York cognitive-behavioral psychologist.



"Diets alone have consistently amounted in very limited success rates, regardless of whatever plan is currently in vogue," added Dr Conner. "More holistic approaches that include attention to the psychological factors that drive overeating have been demonstrated to have a more lasting impact on the long-term weight maintenance and overall health of those trying to lose weight." Exercise programs are also very important, but do not need to be at the level of an athlete participating in the Olympics.

A side benefit of the solutions and programs that include a psycho-behavioral component is that the dieter improves his or her state of mind in addition to achieving weight loss goals. This can be seen quite clearly in the interviews of the most successful participants in last season's televised Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge. Those participants showed a significant shift in their attitudes and outlooks on life. That shift becomes an important part of reducing the likelihood of a relapse into old behaviors and a return of the pounds that have been shed. A diet alone has a low chance of success unless accompanied by changes in thought patterns and in managing emotions.

Dr. Conner emphasizes that, "a coach and a support system can be very instrumental in success with weight management, and a negative environment can seriously undermine potentially successful programs." Dr. Conner notes that in her experience of treating those with weight management issues in therapy, a commitment to change is critically important for reaching a positive outcome. "It's not enough to hate your current body and wish to be thinner; in addition, desire has to be backed up with a strong commitment to change, not just in behavior but also in internal dialogue and ways of coping with emotions," comments Dr. Conner.

In recent years, psychologists and counselors are more frequently assisting clients with weight management using the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach, which is currently the second most popular form of psychotherapy (the first being psychodynamic psychotherapy). CBT has shown better results in numerous research studies compared to other forms of therapy in helping people to overcome their psychological difficulties, and overeating is typically rooted in or tied to a psychological problem. CBT uses proven methods to help patients to identify and change thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that cause them to derail their lives repeatedly, including failure to change health and eating habits.

To interview Dr. Allison Conner regarding cognitive-behavioral therapy, weight management, relationship issues or any other psychological problems, call (212) 258-2577, or e-mail aconner@aconner.com. Additional information on Cognitive Therapy is available at: http://www.cognitive-therapy-associates.com/





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