Registered Dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade Shares Her Expertise
Expert Insights on Achieving and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
In an exclusive interview, registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade shares her insights on weight management. Palinski-Wade is the founder of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group and co-author of the book 2 Day Diabetes Diet.
Q: What are the most common challenges people face when trying to lose weight?
Palinski-Wade: There are many challenges people face when trying to lose weight. Some of the most common include:
- Setting unrealistic goals
- Lack of motivation and support
- Emotional eating
- Lack of knowledge about healthy eating and exercise
- Underlying medical conditions
Q: How can people overcome these challenges?
Palinski-Wade: Overcoming these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some tips:
- Set realistic goals. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week, which is a healthy and sustainable rate of weight loss.
- Find a support system. Having friends, family, or a support group can provide motivation and accountability.
- Identify your emotional triggers for eating. Once you know what triggers you to eat, you can develop strategies to cope with those triggers in a healthier way.
- Educate yourself about healthy eating and exercise. There are many resources available to help you learn about nutrition and fitness.
- Talk to your doctor about any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your weight gain.
Q: What are some common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight?
Palinski-Wade: Some common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight include:
- Crash dieting. Crash diets are not sustainable and can lead to weight regain.
- Skipping meals. Skipping meals will slow your metabolism and make you more likely to overeat later.
- Cutting out entire food groups. Cutting out entire food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
- Focusing too much on exercise and not enough on diet. Exercise is important for weight loss, but it is not the only factor.
- Giving up too easily. Weight loss is a journey, and there will be setbacks along the way. Don’t give up if you don’t see results immediately.
Q: What are your top tips for people who want to lose weight and keep it off?
Palinski-Wade: Here are my top tips for losing weight and keeping it off:
- Set realistic goals
- Find a support system
- Identify your emotional triggers for eating
- Educate yourself about healthy eating and exercise
- Talk to your doctor about any underlying medical conditions
- Avoid crash diets
- Don’t skip meals
- Don’t cut out entire food groups
- Focus on a healthy diet and exercise
- Don’t give up easily
Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.
Kind regards
Thomas Willburn.
