Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Program

Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Program Dr. Phil does not refer to his program as a diet. He says that we must make lifestyle changes to keep the weight off. His program revolves around 7 key elements. Dr. Phil says that if we master these keys, we can lose the weight and keep it off for a life time. Key #1 - Right Thinking. This key focuses on helping change our negative thinking patterns. He teaches us how to evaluate what we are thinking to see if our thoughts are helping us to reach our goals or are actually keeping us from them. Key #2 - Healing Feelings. Because many of us are emotional eaters we turn to food when we are bored, lonely, frustrated, etc. This key focuses on teaching us how to deal with our emotions instead of just turning to food. Key #3 - A No-Fail Environment. This key teaches us how to restructure our environments in ways that will help us to succeed. Having fattening foods in sight makes it much more difficult to resist the temptation. Key #4 - Mastery Over Food and Impulse Eating. Dr. Phil believes that in order for us to continue unhealthy behaviors we must be getting something out of it. He says that we may not be getting something healthy or good for us, but we are getting something. This key forces us to answer the difficult question of what payoff are we getting by continuing to act in unhealthy ways? Key #5 - High-Response Cost, High-Yield Nutrition. This key focuses on teaching us what types of food to eat. Many of us have gotten used to eating fast food and foods that are convenient and easy to prepare. These foods are high in calories and also promote over-indulgence. Key #5 teaches us that there are other foods that are low in calories, but will help keep us full longer. Dr. Phil says that it might take some getting used to, but once we get in the habit of eating these foods we will be healthier, and we will learn to enjoy them as well. Key #6 - Intentional Exercise. This key focuses on teaching us to make exercise a priority in our lives. Not only will it help us to burn fat and build muscle, but it will also help improve our self-concept and our attitude. In addition, exercise has lifelong benefits to our overall health, and it decreases our risks for many diseases. Key #7 - Your Circle of Support. This key focuses on the importance of having a cheering section. When it comes to weight loss, there will always be people who don’t want us to make it happen. Some of these people might even be those closest to us. We need to surround ourselves with people who are positive and want us to succeed. Pros It is realistic, while being psychologically quite advanced. It has a solid philosophy behind it. The plan recommends vigorous exercise for 20 minutes at least three times a week. Focus on "high-response-cost, high-yield foods." Counteracts the stress-eating, instant consumption tendencies of the fast food nation. Emphasis on moderation. Cons Bills itself excessively as the "ultimate" weight loss solution. Some argue Dr. Phil's expertise as a psychologist doesn't automatically qualify him as a physiologist. Weight loss guarantee is hyperbole. Many aspects of this approach are not new, but are coherently reassembled and expertly marketed based on personal charisma (this is true for other "name-brand" plans as well, and is always a factor to keep in mind: is the plan as effective as the person?). The food items proposed are not described in terms of their caloric contents or recommended serving sizes. Critiques diet industry while joining it.