Parkland dietitians encourage healthy lifestyle changes without harmful dieting

Published: 1/21/2014

DALLAS – By the third week in January many people find themselves tossing their extreme diet and fitness New Year’s resolutions out the window and feeling hopeless in their unrealistic effort to have a “perfect” body. The truth is that dieting can be harmful to one’s self-esteem. National Healthy Weight Week, Jan. 19-24, celebrates people making healthy, non-diet lifestyle changes that can last a lifetime, and improve over-all health. Dietitians at Parkland Health & Hospital System observe National Healthy Weight Week by encouraging people to improve health habits in lasting ways by eating healthy, being active and feeling good about themselves and others.

“Stop weight-obsessive thoughts. Instead, be your own best self, starting right now,” said Sharon Cox, Parkland Registered Dietitian. “Be active in your own way every day. Focus on the pleasure of movement and make it a habit.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 36 percent of American adults are obese and another 33 percent of adults are overweight. A healthy weight is one that is right for your body type and height. It is based on your body mass index (BMI) and the size of your waist. If your BMI is between 19 and 24.9, you are in the recommended weight range for your height; however, your health may still be at risk if you are not getting regular exercise or practicing healthy eating.

Cox provides the following tips to jumpstart healthy lifestyle habits that lead to long-term wellness:

• Control your cravings. Replace junk food with healthy choices like fresh fruit, light yogurt, string cheese, celery sticks with peanut butter or a handful of unsalted nuts.
• Get up and move. Find a fun exercise plan that works for you and be consistent.
• Identify bad habits and change them. Take a look at the bigger picture and assess different parts of your lifestyle that may be sabotaging your efforts. Lack of sleep and stress can decrease your chance for success.
• Ask for support and inspiration. Positive support from family, friends and co-workers will help you stay on track.
• Reward yourself. Success comes in many forms. It could be the way you feel, how your clothes fit or the number on the scale. The most important thing is that you celebrate your successes in a healthy way.

Parkland supports healthy living in the community by offering weight management groups, diabetes meal planning classes, one-on-one nutrition counseling, group nutrition counseling, cardiovascular classes and diabetes weight management groups – all free of charge to patients at Parkland’s network of Community Oriented Primary Care health centers. To find the health center nearest you, visit www.parklandhospital.com.

Additionally, Parkland partners with the Dallas Independent School District each summer to offer boys and girls the opportunity to attend a summer camp called Choosing Healthy Activities, Meals and Positive Self-Esteem (CHAMPS). Camp CHAMPS teaches children ages 7 to 16 about positive self-esteem, nutrition and exercise. The program is free and parents are encouraged to attend with their children.

For more information about nutritional support groups or Camp CHAMPS, please call Jeff Howard at 214.266.1120. Back