In today’s episode Professor Koestner and I put our heads together on the subject of weight loss. We try to shed some light on why losing weight is such a difficult challenge for most people and then look at how we might apply Professor Koestner’s 3 secrets for goal success to this challenge. Too many people are intensely dissatisfied with their weight & believe happiness is just on the other side of some number on the scale. Unfortunately, it is not. That pursuit is never-ending. But we believe it is possible to find happiness, meaning and body satisfaction through a healthier and more enjoyable lifestyle geared towards finding and maintaining your "best weight".

Production by Jodie Richardson. Co-production, mixing and music by Pat Bourdon.

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Show Notes

The Fat Trap, Tara Parker-Pope, New York Times.

Read the New York Times article by Gina Kolata: After the “Biggest Loser”, Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight.

Read this piece by Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD and obesity expert to learn more about managing expectations and successful weight loss: I’m an obesity doctor. I’ve seen long-term weight loss work. Here’s how. Vox Media. 

I highly suggest Dr. Yoni Freedhoff’s blog and in particular this one blog post: Is it Really “Scientifically Impossible” to Keep Your Weight Off?

If at First You Don’t Succeed: False Hopes of Self-Change. Janet Polivy and C. Peter Herman, 2002, American Psychologist.

Listen to: Public Webinar #1: Why Obesity is a Chronic Disease (Feb. 2016) by Dr. Arya M Sharma.

Check out Dr. Arya Sharma’s Ted Talk on Obesity & weight loss here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9hRhsaopz4

Koestner, R. (2008). Reaching One’s Personal Goals: A Motivational Perspective Focused on Autonomy. Canadian Psychology, 49(1), 60-67. 

Also visit the website of the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.