The commonly held notion of a "two-pronged" diet-and-exercise approach to weight loss ignores the third and most vital component of the weight loss formula. Australian weight loss and obesity expert, Mr. Trevor Johnson, advises that people setting their 2010 weight loss goals must take seriously the need for psychological support techniques for the success of their immediate and long term weight loss results.

(PRWEB) January 1, 2010 -- Contrasting widespread perceived wisdom, diet and exercise alone are insufficient for effective, lasting weight loss, says leading Australian obesity and overweight researcher, Mr. Trevor Johnson. This, and other diet myths commonly repeated do much damage to the efforts and ambitions of those people genuinely seeking answers to their weight problems.

"There is a seriously incorrect notion that is sadly widely held that an overweight or obese person can lose weight easily simply by cutting calories and increasing exercise", Mr. Johnson said today. "This notion of a two-pronged simplistic cure ignores well proven scientific research that proves that a third factor is not only just as important as diet and exercise, but for the sake of lasting weight loss results is even more important."

Mr. Johnson, who publishes the http://www.DietWords.com website, refers to many studies in recent years that have shown the importance of psychological support structures in achieving meaningful and lasting weight loss. These studies have consistently shown that dieters who have psychological support systems in place not only lose more weight, but maintain their weight loss more effectively in the longer term.

"There is no single psychological support that works above all others", Mr. Johnson says. "There are numerous ways people can use that all show good levels of success." He suggests a few options:

One-on-one counselling. This may be with a psychologist, though more commonly is available through a number of the established weight loss clinic chains. Weekly face-to-face sessions with a trained weight loss counsellor increases accountability while also providing motivation and advice.

Group counselling. Whether in a professional setting or "self-help" type group setting, peer support and sharing of burdens and rejoicing in one another's successes provides valuable assistance in weight loss that is simple not available for those who try to go it alone.

Weight Loss Health Spa Retreats. In the minds of many people, this is the ultimate weight loss mechanism. In additional to professional and supervised dieting and exercise programs, both individual and group counselling and peer support produce wondrous results in the better weight loss resorts. Mr. Johnson warns of two downsides to the weight loss health retreat option, however. Firstly, few offer a program long enough to be truly effective and produce the type of permanent habit changes that are essential for lasting weight loss results. A minimum of six months is what it really takes, though this time commitment is impractical for most people. Secondly, even when someone can set aside six months for a long term residential retreat program, the cost of around $3,000 per week still makes it a prohibitive option for all but the elite of our society.

Weight loss hypnosis and subliminal weight loss. These options can be undertaken with face-to-face sessions with a qualified hypnotherapist, or by 'self-hypnosis' via tapes, CDs or downloadable MP3 recordings produced by qualified psychotherapy professionals. These provide for a very cost effective form of psychological support for the person seeking to lose weight yet has problems with either available time or location for seeing a face-to-face hypnotherapist. Consistent use of these tools certainly do produce very effective results when used in conjunction with a balanced diet plan and appropriate exercise.

Mr. Johnson commends prominent television personality, Dr. Phil McGraw for his book "Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Loss Solution". Of the truly blockbuster diet books published in recent decades, Dr. Phil's stands alone for its solid emphasis on psychological, behavioural and emotion issues and support related to weight loss success. While questioning much of Dr. Phil's dieting & exercise advise, Mr. Johnson points out that 80% of Dr. Phil's weight loss solution is not about diet or exercise, but psychological, behavioural and emotional issues. He recommends that every dieter should read Dr. Phil's book at least once per year to allow the behavioural teachings to saturate their brain for lifelong benefit.

Other psychological or para-psychological techniques, such as various forms of meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and others have not got the scientific research behind them in relation to their effectiveness in weight loss, though Mr. Johnson believes that in the coming years, the research will come out in favor of these psychological support techniques, too.