Finding a positive weight loss motivation and CoolSculpting®

As we enter the New Year and people start planning resolutions, more Americans begin to think about weight loss. A survey of Google search trends over the last five years shows an increase of popularity for the phrases such as “weight loss” and “New Year’s resolutions”. While it is great to learn about new exercises to target certain areas on the body, and the newest superfood alleged to burn fat, it may be even more helpful to take a look at an internal factor that can turn your yearly diet and exercise plan into a long-lasting lifestyle: your motivation.

Celebrities and public figures have found motivation from personal events — the end of a relationship or losing a job, for instance. Reality TV personality and author Khloe Kardashian credits her highly publicized body transformation to the motivation that stemmed from her recently-ended marriage, and she created a show to help others do the same. “Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian,” is a weight loss reality show where Khloe and her team of trainers, doctors and stylists give contestants a total-body makeover, while asking them “who [their] new body is for.” For the 16 contestants, the answer includes ex-fiancés, family members and former friends.

Khloe Kardashian isn’t the only one touting a “Revenge Body” for fitness motivation. In October, New York Sports Club debuted an at-home workout with moves named after the different stages of a break-up.

At first glance, this may seem like a good idea — to motivate your fitness journey with feelings from past situations. But Bruce Mast, MD, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, says that this may not be the best choice for long-lasting, healthy results.

“Motivations that are responses to purely external issues in someone’s life are not pure, nor are they consistent with long-terms success,” Mast said. “The motivation for weight loss should be from within. It should be about better health, combined with improved appearance and its effect on self-esteem.”

Academy-award winning singer and actress, Jennifer Hudson, was another celeb who famously lost weight, and her advice to others focuses more on positive personal motivation.

“You have to want to do it for you,” Hudson said. “It’s not even about starting the journey, it’s about you. And you can’t let what everyone has to say overshadow what you want for you.”

A Psychology Today series about weight loss motivation and staying on track identified that the two most effective sources of motivation are Intrinsic, or doing something because you are interested in and enjoy doing it, and identified, or doing something because it is personally important to accomplish it.

Both are internally driven, positive and connect pleasurable thoughts to the activities of losing weight, like eating healthy and working out

What to do next: CoolSculpting®

If you’ve been exercising and have had success with reaching some of your weight loss and body goals, but still have persistent areas of concern, it may be time to consider a new, non-invasive, fat removal procedure called CoolSculpting®. CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat cells. The procedure uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate fat in places like the stomach, love handles, arms and thighs.

“It is wonderfully good at getting rid of unwanted fat with very little down-time. No surgery, no anesthesia, no needles!” Mast noted. He also said the procedure is quick and relatively pain-free.

“It is done in the office and lasts about an hour, with a total time of about one and a half hours in the office. There is some temporary discomfort at the beginning at the end of the procedure. Swelling will occur for several days and then go away fairly quickly.”

CoolSculpting can be very beneficial for certain patients, but it is important to know the limits of the procedure.

“This is a great procedure for localized fatty accumulation that you can’t get rid of. It is NOT a replacement for generalized weight loss when overweight.”

CoolSculpting is a good option for those who have created a healthy program of exercise and proper nutrition, but still have stubborn fat that resists exercise in certain areas.

If you are looking for localized fat reduction, the UF Health Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics Center offers a solution with CoolSculpting. A consultation with a highly trained specialist will provide the best plan for you. All procedures have obvious benefits, but also have risks. Make sure you understand all of this, as well as the recovery involved.

If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, we urge you to ensure your doctor has the following:

• American board certification, preferably with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• Experience in the procedure you want.
• Privileges at a local hospital for the procedure you desire.
• Good reputation and minimal malpractice incidents.
• Emotional connection established between patient and doctor.
• Personally dedicates time to answer all of your questions.