So today, I went to an orientation for a weight loss research study, conducted by Brown University and Miriam Hospital. I signed up for a program that will last for a year, and continue periodically for a subsequent year of just follow-ups. Here is what the paperwork says about it:
You are being asked to participate in a research project because you are between 18 and 70 years old, are overweight or obese, and have problems with eating in response to negative thoughts and feelings...The purpose of this study is to test a new approach to helping you lose weight....You will be "randomized" into one of the study groups described below:
Program 1: If you are assigned to this program, you will be asked to attend weekly group meetings for 6 months, then every other week for 3 months, then monthly for 3 months. At these group sessions, you will be taught to change you eating and physical activity to lose weight and maintain it. You will be asked to write down your food intake and activity throughout the 12 month program. You will be taught standard techniques to help you recognize and change negative thoughts and emotions that are making it hard for you to follow a healthy eating and exercise program.
Program 2: If you are assigned to this program, you will attend group meetings on the same schedule as in Program 1 and be taught the same strategies to help you change your eating and activity to lose weight and maintain it. The program will teach a different approach to handling negative thoughts and emotions, in which you are helped to accept these feelings (rather than trying to change them) and to focus on achieving your goals and values despite these negative feelings.
Basically, it's like being in a weight watchers group in which they teach 2 different techniques for dealing with emotional eating and try to learn which is more effective. My understanding is that regardless of which group I am in, weight loss is expected (and it is all focused on calorie intake and exercise). It's free for me, which is fantastic, LOL, and I will receive some compensation for my time. I must say, I am ready to make this commitment; I really need it, and I have never been in any kind of weight loss program before, but I am sure that it will give me the motivation I have been lacking all this time. I am looking forward to it, and I'll keep you updated! :)
