Is that this the daybreak of the Twitter food regimen? Already, the favored social networking service has develop into a useful communication instrument for thousands and thousands—and new analysis suggests it may also develop into a key part of profitable weight reduction.

In a first-of-its-kind research, researchers on the College of South Carolina’s Arnold College of Public Well being examined the usage of Twitter as a part of a behavioral weight reduction intervention. Over a six month interval, they adopted 96 chubby and overweight women and men, all of whom owned both a smartphone or a cellular gadget (like a pill) with Web entry. Individuals have been divvied into two teams: One acquired bi-weekly well being podcasts, whereas the opposite acquired podcasts and was anticipated to learn and publish day by day Twitter updates on their weight reduction efforts.

Total, people utilizing Twitter misplaced extra weight than their friends: Each 10 tweets corresponded to a 0.5 pound loss. The continued engagement inherent in Twitter deserves a lot of the credit score for this success, says research writer Brie Turner-McGrievy, PhD, an assistant professor on the Arnold College of Public Well being.

Trying to tweet your means thinner? Take the next steps so as to add Twitter to your weight reduction program.

Create a digital help group. Folks you comply with (and people following you) must be making an attempt to drop pounds, too—however you do not essentially have to know them. As a substitute, Turner-McGrievy recommends trying to find weight reduction blogs or publications, to see if the writer is on Twitter. “What is admittedly helpful is discovering different people who find themselves in the identical state of affairs as you’re, who can relate to your challenges and reply,” she says. “Having somebody verify in and say, ‘Hey, I haven’t heard you Tweet in a very long time,’ or congratulate you whenever you follow your calorie limits—that was actually the vital part of the research.” 

Tweet your self motivated. As a result of Twitter is such a fast, responsive platform, sending a tweet means you will get a kick within the butt proper whenever you want it. “Having the ability to get these speedy responses from different individuals is admittedly invaluable,” Turner-McGrievy says. Not feeling the gymnasium as we speak? Tweet it. In case your followers are as dedicated as you’re, they will reply again with some energizing phrases to get you out the door. (Psst…You may keep motivated 24/7 with tweets from Prevention’s Match Workforce.)

Keep energetic on (and off) Twitter. Need followers to maintain you going? Then hold them going, too—by posting and responding all through the day, you will develop significant relationships along with your on-line group. Hold posts motivational and supportive, and supply compliments, empathy, and encouragement. Plus, strive tweeting classes you are studying in your weight reduction journey: Completed a brand new energy exercise? Let ’em know. Uncover a divine, low-fat frozen pizza? Unfold the phrase! 

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