Going it alone, especially when it concerns weight loss, makes a tough task that much more difficult. A new study on the best and quickest way to lose weight shows that those who lost a minimum of 5% (an amount considered significant to improving health) of their body weight when enrolled in a weight loss contest were more likely than not to belong to the same team. Those who said that their fellow dieters played a big part in their success also had a greater chance of losing a lot of weight. The 'team effect' on weight loss surprised even the researchers.The findings on teamwork and weight loss come out of a campaign run in 2009 - a three-month, weight loss competition run online. Anyone who took part competed against rival teams for losing weight, being active and even on the number of steps. Those seeking to lose weight included 3,330 participants who were either overweight or obese, divided into 987 teams of between five and eleven members.
People heading up the teams lost more weight compared with the members of their teams, perhaps because they were the most motived and involved in the weight loss contest.
Other experts agree that when two people begin a journey to lose weight and live healthier together, they generally do better - the buddy concept is, in fact, a rather powerful one. And while a team based approach to weight loss might not work for everyone, it's a wonderful option for those who like to join groups and do better when working toward a goal with others.
If you still doubt the effectiveness of working with a group, think of TV programs such as The Biggest Loser or Too Fat for Fifteen, that have a team based competition format. They get results each season, because the approach takes advantage of peer influence in terms of weight loss. You don't want to fail in front of your teammates, and success is all that much sweeter when shared (and cheered) by your peers.
It is true that the people we know affect our own health habits. Unfortunately this holds true for both healthy as well as unhealthy behaviors.
So if a group of friends decide to lose weight and make healthy lifestyle choices together, supporting each other, they all stand a much better chance of success than if they were to go it alone. The friends engage in healthy behaviors (and avoid temptation) together, and are often able to keep a struggling person on course. If one or two people are doing really well, this can have a tremendously positive impact on the whole group.
Don't know anyone who wants (or needs) to lose weight? The Internet offers a fantastic way to connect with others, communicate and support each other. And don't give up, experts tell us that just as obesity can be socially contagious (you're obese if your friends are) so too, can living healthier, slimmer, better lives. Get a 'team' going today for the best and quickest way to lose weight.
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