Earlier in my career as a dietitian, I thought it would be really exciting if I could develop a magic pill which would assist my clients in losing weight. It would be so quick! And so easy! So well suited - a perfect fit - for our instant-gratification society.

Just for fun, let us play out the magic pill scenario. What might that look like for you? You could eat whatever you want, however much you wished, whenever. You could do (or not do) whatever, whenever. At first glance it seems freeing. But is it really?

Perhaps the magic pill is nothing more than a pipe dream. As a Nutrition Coach with the Mind & Body® Program, I now appreciate the beauty of the mind-body connection in successful loss. We know that the brain is a powerful tool that can work either with us or against us when making changes. With the Mind & Body Program, behavioral interventions are used to modify the thinking and the behaviors that contribute to obesity. There is cohesiveness of the mind and body working together to promote healthy living.

Does it require human effort? Yes, but the results are far greater than what a quick-fix pill could ever accomplish. No pill will help you develop skills in overcoming the obstacles that are keeping you from reaching your health goal. An obstacle doesn’t mean you are a failure. Rather, it can be seen as a learning experience or personal challenge to help you do things differently in the future. These newly acquired skills spill over into many aspects of one’s life.

• Know yourself. Begin by making an honest assessment of your eating and exercising habits, your personality, lifestyle, relationships, support system, thought patterns, and stress level. They are all inter-related.

• Make a plan right for you. No one-size-fits-all. Our personalities and lifestyles are unique, requiring tailored treatment plans to meet the needs of individuals. Many life events impact our waistlines – job loss, career moves, relationships, weddings, pregnancies, parties, holidays, etc.

• Be part of the Mind & Body Program. Participants of the Mind & Body Program find that when they succeed in making one healthy choice, they have the confidence to keep going. With ongoing coach support, the momentum of the upward spiral can give participants a better outlook, affecting overall health – mental, physical, and spiritual.

Research shows that any effective treatment for obesity must involve a combination of cognitive (thinking) and behavioral changes. Reach your health goals, one small step at a time. Integrate the Mind & Body Program into your daily life. It’s worth the human effort.