Can AI Help with Weight Maintenance?

Perhaps you have heard about artificial intelligence and the new chatbot ChatGPT. It opens up many exciting possibilities as well as some scary ones. The control and flow of knowledge is certainly a concern, but it can also be a great aid to us in many ways.

After listening to the December 16, 2022 New York Times podcast, “The Daily,” I decided to give ChatGPT a try (1). Since reporter Michael Barbaro and guest Kevin Roose discussed the use of this tool in counseling, it seemed that perhaps it could help us with weight maintenance.

Question 1: Why is it difficult to maintain weight loss?

“There are many factors that can contribute to the difficulty of maintaining weight loss. Some of the common reasons include:

1. Metabolic changes: When you lose weight, your metabolism may slow down, making it more difficult to maintain your weight loss.
2. Lifestyle changes: Making significant changes to your diet and exercise habits can be difficult to sustain over the long term. It can be challenging to stick to a healthy eating plan and exercise regularly, especially if you have a busy schedule or other commitments.
3. Psychological factors: Emotional eating, stress, and other psychological factors can all contribute to weight gain. It can be challenging to address these underlying issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms in order to maintain weight loss.
4. Social and environmental factors: Your social and physical environment can also play a role in weight maintenance. For example, if you have a lot of tempting unhealthy foods available or if you have a sedentary job, it can be more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
5. Genetics: Your genetics can also influence your ability to maintain weight loss. Some people may have a greater tendency to gain weight or find it more difficult to lose weight due to inherited factors.

Overall, maintaining weight loss requires a combination of physical, psychological, and social factors. It can be a challenging process, but with the right approach and support, it is possible to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.” (2).

Question 2: What can I do to maintain my weight loss?

“Maintaining weight loss can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help:

1. Continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet: It’s important to continue eating a diet that is rich in whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks and limiting your intake of added sugars and saturated and trans fats can also help you maintain your weight loss.
2. Exercise regularly: Engaging in regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight loss by burning calories and building muscle. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. Find support: Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of family and friends can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals. Consider joining a support group or working with a health coach or registered dietitian to help you maintain your weight loss.
4. Monitor your weight: Regularly monitoring your weight can help you identify any weight gain early on and take corrective action. Weigh yourself at least once a week and record your weight in a log or journal.
5. Be consistent: Maintaining weight loss requires consistency in your healthy habits. Try to stick to a consistent eating and exercise routine, and be patient with yourself if you have setbacks. It’s important to remember that weight loss is a journey and there may be ups and downs along the way.” (2).

Both of these responses seem accurate. How do you feel about taking advice from ChatGPT? What questions do you have for this free model? Is it appropriate to accept behavioral or medical advice from AI? Lots of questions – and ChatGPT seems to have ready answers.

(1). https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000590380925 Or https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/podcasts/the-daily/chatgpt-openai-artificial-intelligence.html?smid=url-share

(2). https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/