THE SELECTION OF THE IDEAL BODY BUDDY    

WHAT REALLY WORKS IN DIET MANAGEMENT?  It is interesting indeed that given all programs, Weight Watchers® is the most effective long term management system. If you have the money and time, weight Watchers is always there (business hours). Slimmer Success is  an educational resource that believes in group or BUDDY support, motivation, reinforcement, and accountability. The accountability aspect is probably more effective than reinforcement or rewards. We hate criticism. So your buddy has to be tactful, yet firm...reliable, yet not too demanding. In other words, finding the perfect combination is similar to finding the perfect mate!

So many analogies to the muscle mantra: "use it or lose it" applies. Let's start with the acceptance that neither you nor your buddy will be great at a never before attempted endeavor:  buddy behavior. Let's agree that the core element, self-discipline itself is like a muscle, and will strengthen with use. We cannot expect too much at first your self discipline muscle haven't even been loosened up for years. Patience is a virtue...little steps and moderation are the basis for permanent engrained behaviors. We witness disappointment and drop-out when lofty unrealistic goals and time-tables produce disasters waiting to happen.  

Your Body Buddy selection is, like Weight Watchers® critical. Your Buddy should have the characteristics described below. He or she will often be that will power when other issues drag your personal health down. It works, and again it's free!!!

    What if you need a "jump start" to even begin a serious weight loss regimen?
The Centers offer prescription treatment if the free and natural approaches need a booster. However, medications are only a temporary measure. We use them as way of "crossing a line" back to a better state, where you can once again exercise or a stimulant might focus your diet control. Stimulants such as Adipex® (also called Fastin®, or generic Phentermine) also lead to weight loss by increasing metabolism. However, they can cause cardiac rhythm changes, reduced sleep, anxiety, dry mouth, and other problems which we test prior to giving any of the class of medications. Our questionnaires are critical in follow-up. We hope that weight control can be entirely through behavior management and the safety of occasional meal replacements. So, your choice of a great "Body Buddy" is central to avoiding the need for medications.

 A necessary, quick SALES reminder: Over the internet, we offer far less costly meal replacements than any site or program. We know that cost is another main stressor and reason why many are afraid to even begin diet plans  We have been a free service for years, but to fund and expand services, we ask  all of our visitors to spread the news about us. Food replacements are safer and are our only shopping cart item. At our prices,  profits per member are quite low, so volume will be the key to our continued success. We offer no vitamins, stool softeners, ephedrine, high caffeine products, or B12 injections. Those more questionable aspects of management are left to food stores and vitamin shops-where if you believe in such products they are available. Some patients require more fiber than others. If our meal replacements  do not offer enough fiber for your GI tract, then stool softeners are available without prescription. Some dieters are more prone to constipation and should be supervised medically, and more aggressively, if persistent.

General exercise and calorie reduction should be the starting point of every diet plan. It is far safer than taking amphetamines which have cardiac effects (therefore require special testing and monitoring) and often have associated rebound obesity. The physician monitored Slimmer Success centers will, when safe and “necessary” provide additional prescriptions (see the Local Medical Steps section).

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO DIET AND EXERCISE-  (please read the exercise section)

It’s our job at Slimmer Success to make your more active and eat right. All the letters that spell “SLIMMER” listed on our homepage like stress and lifestyle are just factors which can be improved so that you will not seek comfort food or fall into bad habits. You often see formulas about calories consumed and calories burned. We like to go the step before weight gain, and help you understand the causes of consumption and employ  proven methods that will make you happier, healthier, less isolated, and even SLIMMER.

THE PROGRESS BODY BUDDY SYSTEM  is free and permanent (if you find a special buddy).

Doing “IT” alone has probably not worked for you in the past, or you probably would not be reading this. Let’s describe and find the best body buddy out there. Our website will help guide this selection. In addition, at our INTAKE section, we provide you with all the graphs and visual support in what we call the Internet Buddy System, but more effective is a human being that cares about you and should have similar body weight control desires. The Internet Buddy System uses links to the USDA and ADA for daily calorie measurements. For example, the USDA provides a daily activity calorie counter. Our Medical University has graphing to follow weight changes over the course of months or years. Again,  please read our intake section.

THE SELECTION OF THE IDEAL BODY BUDDY     
 “A friend in need, is a friend indeed”

The Serenity Prayer
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference

Used by Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step programs-Slimmer Success likes this as well, especially since almost everything in weight management can be changed.)

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Slimmer Success Progress Body Buddy Selection Scale (the same characteristics can be applied to choosing friends, business partners, etc.)

We have addressed the most pertinent characteristics of a health or ”Body Buddy”. Basically, we are describing many of the traits you would seek as a friend or even a mate. eHarmony® has similar questions which include a health and body image related section. They frequently ask questions as an example of what you would do or expect of a friend. For many other trait considerations you may review their selection process.

Hints and a reality check:
Unfortunately, many of us can’t find buddies with the time, who have so many attributes. Everyone from their friends to churches and charities are pulling at them. But so many people you know actually have the same driving forces as those charismatic “leaders”. It may be they have not been in a position of service (the Body Buddy team is a mutual, symbiotic service). You probably both have the necessary qualities that have been suppressed for years. Just rediscover theirs and your “diamond in the rough” abilities. It’s your job to recognize hidden diamonds, and then begin “test trials”. Do not be too expectant or demanding it may drive away someone who could have gained from the situation or who will need some time to re-prioritize their lifestyle.

So, rise up to the occasion, and “thin up” at the same time. Do a little character development and lots of other unexpected projects may come your way. Chance favors the prepared mind, and opportunities are presented to those who have drive and success. Weight loss may just be the beginning.

Back-up Body Buddy and Networking: On certain occasions you may want to exceed expectations and do a little additional exercise with another buddy.

In addition, at times, even a very good buddy may not be available. This is when it’s nice to have a back-up buddy. Our goal is health, happiness, and a better self-image. There are many paths, but all require effort and self-control (that is, exercise and meal control).

Two-thirds of Americans need to work on this, out of 200,000,000 plus candidates, the odds are you can find a “body  buddy” and back-up plans.