“Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.” – Les Brown

If you’re struggling with your weight, you’re not alone. Millions of other people are on a similar journey with all of its ups and downs. If you’ve ever heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, you also know that in order to reach our fullest potential, we must make an effort to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging among other people who “get it” — people we feel comfortable around. For many, support groups offer that kind of connection.

Benefits of Support Groups

As social creatures, companionship is very important to our well-being. This is especially true when that company is composed of other people who share similar experiences and interests. They help us realize we’re not alone and empower us to achieve our goals. When the going gets tough, we lean on others to help us through challenges and come out on the other side.

That’s why support groups are a fantastic source of motivation, inspiration and encouragement for the tough journey with weight. Here’s what else they offer:

• Day-to-day accountability to help you stay on-track
• Validation that your struggles are real and important
• Emotional support to keep you grounded, especially during challenges
• Practical advice on topics related to nutrition, exercise, medical weight management, mental health, behavior modification, treatment options and more
• Meaningful friendships that can last a lifetime

How to Find Support Groups

It doesn’t have to be challenging to find others you can relate to on your journey with weight. Consider these tips for identifying and joining support groups:

• Search online for weight management support groups in your local area
• Ask your Primary Care Physician, Weight Management Specialist or Psychologist if they recommend any groups or have ideas about where to look
• Use word of mouth to see what groups or meetups others are recommending
• Visit the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) website for a list of Support Networks in your state
• Join conversations in the OAC Community Member Discussion Forum (You must first join the OAC Community at no cost and create your online account)
• Take charge, be a leader and start your own group!

Want More Information?

For more information on the power and benefits of support groups for weight management, CLICK HERE to read the full article from Weight Matters Magazine.