Dr Gina Cleo of Bond University is an Accredited Practicing Dietitan, Research Fellow and Behaviour Scientist. Recently, Dr Cleo has undertaken research in the field of weight management and developed a new program Sum Sanos.

Sum Sanos, is based on research conducted by Dr Cleo which demonstrates that habits and behaviours, not diets and exercise, are the best way to lose and sustain weight loss. Dr Cleo ran a successful private practice on the Gold Coast but decided to return to university to do a PhD. “I decided to put my practice on hold and complete a PhD in habit-based weight loss maintenance because I was frustrated with the lack of long-term weight loss success people were achieving. I wanted answers and I desperately wanted to find a long-term solution for the millions of people stuck in the yo-yo dieting cycle,” she said. “I love that my studies led me down the path of habits and human behaviour, rather than diets, because we know that diets don’t work long-term.”

Dr Cleo credits her colleagues with helping her achieve her study goals. “I’m fortunate to work with an incredibly supportive team of internationally renowned researchers. My colleagues are equal in numbers of males and females and the topic of gender equality is openly discussed. I’m blessed to not have encountered any obstacles which have hindered my success as a researcher.” Kate Krieg, Sum Sanos Chief Operating Officer and Wellness Coach, said “Sum Sanos is aimed specifically at cutting through the noise and giving people solutions that really work. Dr Cleo’s work is life-changing, and you can see the amount of notice it’s getting worldwide from scientists and psychologists.”

At Sum Sanos’ launch event on the Gold Coast on July 22, attendees will have the chance to hear from Dr Cleo about her work. By examining the science behind behaviour and habit, participants will learn approaches to weight loss that do not involve rigorous diets or prescriptive exercise.  “About half of our everyday behaviour is automatic and habitual, which means we’re not completely conscious of the decisions that made us partake in that behaviour.  We generally sit in the same place to have dinner, eat the same breakfast, eat at similar times of day – not necessarily when we’re hungry. We actually make over 200 food decisions everyday – it’s the ones we make subconsciously that are invariably hindering our weight loss success,” Dr Cleo said.

The most rewarding aspect of this research project for Dr Cleo has been, she said, seeing the results of her study participants. “To see their success made the long hours and endless days worth it. I’m also thrilled to see the study results being translated into a practical evidence-based program (Sum Sanos) so the rest of the world can have the opportunity to finally reach their weight and health goals- this is definitely my post-study reward.”

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