Online, self-paced.
Maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong commitment, one that goes beyond quick fixes, trendy diets, or unsustainable routines. If you’re seeking a thoughtful, scientifically grounded way to lose weight and sustain the results, Harvard Medical School’s online course, “Lose Weight and Keep It Off,” provides the guidance and tools you need.
This introductory-level course is designed to help participants understand the underlying factors behind weight gain, build sustainable habits, and develop a personalized plan rooted in nutritional science and behavioral psychology, all without calorie counting or deprivation.
Why This Course?
Weight loss is often approached through restrictive diets or complex regimens. However, the evidence shows that most individuals regain the weight they lose unless the approach is realistic, tailored, and sustainable.
Harvard Medical School’s faculty present a structured, evidence-based course that helps learners:
- Understand the science of weight loss
- Improve dietary habits without extreme restrictions
- Incorporate behavioral strategies to support long-term success
Nutrition That Works for You
Instead of prescribing a one-size-fits-all meal plan, the course introduces fundamental nutrition principles that help you make better choices day to day. You’ll gain clarity on topics such as healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, the role of fiber, and the impact of sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Through practical insights and real-world examples, you’ll explore how your diet can either support or hinder weight loss. You’ll learn how to plan meals that are not only nutritious but also satisfying, so you’re less likely to feel deprived, a common reason diets fail.
Changing Behaviors, Not Just Meals
Successful weight loss is as much about behavior as it is about food. This course delves into the psychological and environmental triggers that often lead to overeating. You’ll explore the role of stress, emotional eating, and cravings and gain actionable strategies to address them.
A major focus is placed on mindful eating, a research-supported technique that helps individuals slow down, become more aware of hunger cues, and reduce binge-eating episodes. This is paired with approaches for building resilience, maintaining motivation, and developing healthier routines around food and activity.
Maintaining Your Progress
What sets this course apart is its commitment to helping learners sustain their results over the long term. Weight maintenance often requires a different set of skills than initial weight loss. In the final modules, you’ll examine what it takes to make new habits stick and how to respond to setbacks without losing momentum.
The course outlines four key habits that research has shown to be consistently present in individuals who have maintained weight loss for years. These insights, paired with tools for self-monitoring and goal adjustment, help you create a roadmap for lasting change.
Who Is This Course For?
Lose Weight and Keep It Off is designed for adults who want to approach weight loss with reliable, research-based information. Whether you’re beginning your journey or looking to maintain past progress, the course provides a supportive and flexible structure to guide your efforts. No prior background in nutrition or health is required.
The self-paced format allows you to move through the material at a comfortable rate, making it ideal for busy professionals, caregivers, or anyone balancing multiple responsibilities.
Tuition: Duration: Level: Subject: For more information and detailed program visit the website.
$30
2 Weeks
Introductory
Health & Medicine – Nutrition & Wellness
Published in GI-Mail 07/2025 (English & German edition).
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