Most of us are familiar with the concept of social networks… you know… family members, friends, work buddies, support group peers, and such. But have you heard of a Challenge Network? I’m guessing not! In this episode you’ll learn the reasons why creating a small Challenge Network to help you meet your weight loss and maintenance goals is critical for your optimal success. As you listen to this episode, consider who you want to have in YOUR Challenge Network!

The Weight Loss Winformation Podcast gives you essential psychological information to help you lose weight and more importantly, to help keep you at a healthy weight for your body! No matter how you are working to lose weight and no matter how much weight you want to lose, Weight Loss Winformation will keep you moving in a positive direction. Let’s get started because well… Why Weight?

Resources:

· BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

· Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

· BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

· BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

· Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

· Instagram: @ (Caleshia Haynes)

· Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

· Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

· Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

· ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

· Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

· Dr. Joan Brugman: drjbrugman@outlook.com

· What Are You Weighting For? by Gary D. Foster Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-are-you-weighting/202206/creating-support-network-weight-loss-journey

Oh, buddy! Get ready to question yourself in a deep way in this episode! Most of readily admit to wanting to be healthy… wanting to improve our health… and that is probably the number one reason people give me for wanting to have weight loss surgery. And yet, as you’ll hear, “HEALTHISM” is now a term people are using… which basically translates to thinking you can only be healthy if you are THIN. SO… let me ask… are you saying you want to be healthy but you’re actually chasing thin? Listen in and see what your answer is after this episode!

The Weight Loss Winformation Podcast gives you essential psychological information to help you lose weight and more importantly, to help keep you at a healthy weight for your body! No matter how you are working to lose weight and no matter how much weight you want to lose, Weight Loss Winformation will keep you moving in a positive direction. Let’s get started because well… Why Weight? (get it? Pun intended… )?

Resources:

· BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

· Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

· BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

· BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

· Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

· Instagram: @ (Caleshia Haynes)

· Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

· Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

· Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

· ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

· Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

· Dr. Joan Brugman: drjbrugman@outlook.com

· Breaking Free From the Thin Ideal: Redefining Health and Beauty by Sophie S. Whynacht, PhD

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/body-image-and-stigma-bias/202411/breaking-free-from-the-thin-ideal-redefining-health-and

· The Return of Extreme Thinness by Carolyn Karoll LCSW-C, CEDS-C

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/eating-disorder-recovery/202608/the-return-of-extreme-thinness

· Why We Need to Stop Equating Thinness with Health by Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-health-matters/202405/why-we-need-to-stop-equating-thinness-with-health

· Lydia Alexander, M.D., Past President of the Obesity Medicine Association | Chief Medical Officer, Enara Health | Board-Certified Practicing Physician | Culinary Medicine Specialist

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-alexander-md-dabom-dablm-mfoma-ab83644/

Influencers… seems most teens and plenty of adults would love to make a living as an influencer! There are certainly some benefits of doing so, it appears! I have no issue with influencers… unless and until they start going outside their lane. By that I mean giving information or advice they aren’t qualified to give. Influencers are free to share their personal experiences, their opinions, and tips that work for then and things that don’t. But please – if you are an influencer - stay away from “educating” people about things you are not qualified to teach. Leave that to professionals. And as a consumer, be wise about the choices you make. Influencers can give you great ideas based on their own experiences and what others have shared with them. But be mindful of their words and behavior. Assess for yourself if they are following the advice of the professionals with whom you are working and if their way of life matches up with your personal values. Listen in… this is a hot topic, especially in the bariatric community.

The Weight Loss Winformation Podcast gives you essential psychological information to help you lose weight and more importantly, to help keep you at a healthy weight for your body! No matter how you are working to lose weight and no matter how much weight you want to lose, Weight Loss Winformation will keep you moving in a positive direction. Let’s get started because well… Why Weight? (get it? Pun intended… )?

Resources:

· BariAfterare: www.bariaftercare.com

· Connie Stapleton PhD website: www.conniestapletonphd.com

· BariAftercare website: https://www.conniestapletonphd.com/bariaftercare

· BariAftercare Facebook page (for members only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BariAftercare

· Kevin Stephens: Your Bariatric Buddy https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbariatricbuddy/people

· Instagram: @ (Caleshia Haynes)

· Instagram: @therealbariboss (Tabitha Johnson)

· Instagram @drsusanmitchell (Dr. Susan Mitchell)

· Instagram: @lauraleepreston (Laura Preston)

· ProCare Vitamins (10% off with code ConnieStapleton)

· Rob DiMedio: https://www.busybariatrics.com/

· Dr. Joan Brugman: drjbrugman@outlook.com

· Are Influencers Actually More Influential? By Qi Wang Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/time-travel-across-borders/202505/are-influencers-actually-more-influential

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/consciously-creating-your-soul-life/202401/the-psychology-of-the-modern-day-social-media

· The Impact of Social Media on Health Behaviors, a Systematic Review by Bernadette Paul and Sely-Ann Headley-Johnson

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12608964/

· How Social Media Affects Body Image and Eating Behavior by Jessica M Alleva Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-your-body/202312/effect-of-eating-related-social-media-content-on-body-image-and-eating