Diet Readiness Survey

"Most of the people who complete this self-evaluation and carefully consider the areas of weight control that are significant for them will identify certain patterns.  (A) Frequent pattern we have found is that the weight loss was fueled by an overly intense and rigorous diet plan that was too difficult to follow and maintain. " (This excerpt is from Tony Brownell, PH.D-internationally known expert on weight control, in which he addresses the importance of evaluating a person's sense of "readiness".   Brownell is the director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders and is an internationally known expert on obesity, eating disorders, and body weight regulation.) 

Personal Dietitian's Readiness Survey:
It is important to evaluate the positives and negatives of beginning a new weight control program.  Begin by making a list of all the positive and negatives of beginning a weight control program. Look over the questions evaluate your readiness.

Readiness Survey/Self Evaluation

1.  What weight control programs have you participated in?

My Own diet
Weight Watchers
Nutrisystems
Atkins Diet
Liquid Diet
Prescription Drugs
Dietitian

If you participated in more than one, which worked the best for long term weight loss?

 

2. Have you ever tried to lose weight but regained?  Yes?   No?   (If yes, why do you think you regained that weight?)
 

Diet History

3. How many pounds per week did you lose on your previous diets?  Were any of your diets too restrictive?  ( 1-2 pounds/ week is considered safe in most cases - more than 2½ per week is not recommended )

 

4.  How many calories were you restricted to in your last diet?  Did you have to add or eliminate certain foods to your diet? What were they? Do you really believe that eliminating certain foods makes sense?

 

Attitude

5.  By your own assessment are you emotionally ready to start a plan? What things in your life might interfere with your success (people, lifestyle, etc.)  Do you believe you will have success? Are you committed to making positive changes-why? If previous diet efforts failed, are you ready for a new start?
 

Exercise and Activity Plan

6.  What are your daily exercise goals?  How many minutes do you complete an aerobic activity each day?  Do you have any activities that you have purposefully added to your lifestyle that help to burn calories? Are you willing to continually look for ways to increase your activity?

 

Lifestyle Changes

7.  Are you committed to making a lifestyle change and to eating right for the long term,
not just for a short term result? What lifestyle changes have you made and are you willing to make? (regarding snacks, setting appropriate meal times, activities you can substitute for overeating, stress management changes you made or are willing to make related to eating)