The Power of Support Groups

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The Power of Support Groups
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• When it comes to weight management, theres
  power in numbers. Psychological research tells
  us that support groups are proven to help people
  achieve and maintain weight loss, by reducing
  depression, building self-esteem and improving
  physical and mental health.
• Support groups help patients to make lasting
  lifestyle changes, whether it be through altering
  eating habits, learning more about diet and
  exercise, following a nutrition regimen or all of
  the above.

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• Participating in a support group has the
  potential to improve and speed up adjustment to
  Bariatric surgery. Research has indicated that
  patients who participated in a support group as
  adjunct to their Bariatric surgical regimen, lost
  greater amounts of weight than their counterparts
  who did not regularly participate in support
  groups.

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Why is a support group so valuable?

• FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU ARE NOT ALONE
• Many of us feel alone and isolated when
  living the day-to-day challenges that come with
  having a complex, long-term condition. We
  experience fatigue, stress and other peoples
  judgements and this can leave us feeling anxious
  and strung out, or low. Giving up can be a
  temptation. Knowing that you are not the only
  one struggling with common side effects of having
  a chronic condition is empowering.

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INFOSHARING

• Often a fellow support group member will have
  already been through what youre experiencing and
  will be able to shed some light on your
  situation. Or, sometimes you just need to hear a
  fresh perspective and an enormous weight is
  lifted off. Support groups also give you the
  opportunity to be there for somebody else, which
  can be very motivating. The more you know and
  do, the more you can help others along the way.

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ACCOUNTABILITY

• You can and will come up with one million
  reasons for not exercising or eating well. Its
  difficult to use these excuses on people who are
  invested in your weight loss journey, and who are
  facing similar challenges to you. You dont want
  to let your fellow support group members down.
  As you continue to engage in the support group,
  it provides you with the motivation you need to
  stay on track.

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A PROBLEM SHARED IS A PROBLEM HALVED

• If you have ever seen a good psychologist or
  a counsellor, or if you have a friend, partner or
  family member who is a really good listener, you
  will know this to be true. Sharing your problems
  with others is one of the most powerful ways of
  reducing their size in your mind. This might be
  more of a challenge for some people who are more
  private, but if you can find a way to share some
  of your struggles, it can go a long way towards
  improving your emotional, mental and physical
  health.

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GOING IT ALONE USUALLY DOESNT WORK

• Rarely do people find long lasting weight loss
  success by going it alone. They will either
  have the support of their family, friends or
  colleagues, health care team or support group.
  If you can have all of the above in your cheer
  squad, why wouldnt you? Invest a little bit of
  time in a support group, and we firmly believe
  your time will be paid back with interest.