A newsletter from the Center for Weight and Wellness Strategy, Support, Success, Weight Loss
Our Mission:
To teach patients the skills necessary to make lifestyle changes and to empower patients to implement these changes in their everyday lives. Each patient’s program is personalized based on his/ her current weight, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and personal goals.
The Center for Weight and Wellness provides comprehensive treatment programs designed specifically to treat various levels of overweight and obesity. Treatment staff include physicians, psychologists, social workers, physician assistants, nurses, nutritionists, health educators, and exercise physiologists. Patients can enroll in a free orientation session by calling 401-793-8790. Two locations: 146 West River Street Suite 11A, First Floor Providence, RI 02904
1377 South County Trail, Unit 1A East Greenwich, RI 02818 www.lifespan.org/centers-services/ center-weight-wellness www.facebook.com/Miriamhospital twitter.com/Miriamhospital or @MiriamHospital Instagram.com/lifespanhealth Vincent Pera, MD Medical Director
Volume 5, Issue 2: Spring 2018
Stress, Weight Management, and Social Support: What’s the Connection? There are two main avenues for controlling stress and breaking the Stress/Weight Cycle: • reducing stressors • increasing hardiness, or the ability to manage stress
Everyone experiences stress. Imagine that you are driving on Route 95 in a rain storm and someone cuts you off. Your heart races, your body tenses and you feel your face flush. This is your body’s automatic response to a stressor – the flight or fight response. Stressors can be positive and motivate us to action. However, when we experience an everevolving chain of stressors, we can feel overwhelmed and have a difficult time recovering, leading to stress.
What’s the connection with weight? As indicated in the Stress Cycle and Weight chart below, stress can have an impact on weight.
Stress and Weight Cycle Stressor Stress Reaction Fight or Flight Response Increased Adrenalin and Cortisol Poor blood sugar management Increased appetite Overeating Immediate gratification with readily accessible highly processed foods high in fat and sugar Weight Gain Exclusive provider of
It’s impossible to eliminate all stressors. Therefore, it is important to identify strategies to manage your response to stress. While there are many strategies to manage stress, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or engaging in hobbies or exercise, one essential way is having strong, positive social support. Research has found that supportive family, friends, colleagues, and communities are a significant aspect of social support, especially when you share similar life or health goals. The multidisciplinary team of professionals at the Center for Weight and Wellness offer evidenced-based weight management strategies and encourage support amongst group members who share similar goals, challenges and success. You’ll see in our patient success story on page two that personal relationships play a key role.
When actively trying to lose weight, it is beneficial to find a partner or support system that you can rely on: • to be positive and accepting, • to understand your struggle and help you to persist, and • to encourage and celebrate your progress.
Being able to seek unconditional support - when needed, is an essential ingredient for dealing with stress during your weight loss journey.
in Rhode Island