Fifth commandment: Get a coach

“Early treatment response as a predictor of ongoing weight loss in obesity treatment, British Journal of Health Psychology, November 2005.”

“The effect of the therapeutic relationship on outcomes in weight loss treatment, Medical-Psychological Annals, 2015.”

“Obesity treatment: strategy for long-term weight maintenance, 8th International Congress on Obesity, 1998.”

Of the 4 predictive factors for success, the most important for losing and maintaining excess weight is follow-up. This is true in Canada and also in France.

The frequency of follow-up in the weight loss phase is weekly.

In the weight loss maintenance phase, it is ideally monthly.

The effect of the therapeutic relationship must be to accompany emotions, stress, perfectionism, eating habits and motivation.

A successful weight loss without monthly follow-up will lead to a maintenance after 4 years of 6% of the lost weight.

Successful weight loss with monthly follow up during maintenance will lead to more than 80% of the lost weight being maintained after 4 years.

Definitely the frequency and quality of the follow-up is a must in the management of overweight.