What’s been the number 1 factor in my losing the weight—and finally being able to keep it off?

I get this question a lot.

The answer may surprise you.

The most important factor in my maintaining my weight loss has been getting support.

Not only support for meeting my weight loss goals, but support and acceptance of Who I am—including the shadow side that many of us want to keep hidden—and encouragement to be the best possible version of me.

This is also true for my clients.

The fact that support is the key factor is not surprising because research backs that up.

When doctors and researchers from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health set out to discover the best diet, they found that all the plans worked about the same. As long as people lowered their calorie intake, they lost weight and improved their health.

What did make a difference was attending support group sessions. Study participants in the support group lost an average of 20 pounds over two years and the people who didn’t have the support lost only 9 pounds over the course of the project. That’s a 225 percent difference!

Sometimes, all you need to do to get support is ask! (It’s surprising how many people don’t think to do this.) Tell your partner, family, and friends what you are doing and why, and what you want help with. People are often willing to help you meet your goals.

But sometimes, even when you ask, your family or friends—for whatever reason—are not encouraging, or are actually opposed to the changes you want to make. In these circumstances, it’s even more important that you seek out the support you need.

You can also check out on-line support groups, groups that meet in your area, or hire a coach–preferably one whose program includes a support group.

It is not weak to ask for support. It is one of the best things you can do to help you meet your goals and ensure your long-term success.

What can you do today to seek out support? How might this help you not only get the body you want, but become the person you want?

Together we can do it!