A few weeks ago the NY Times Magazine had a cover, "Do You Have to Be Superhuman to Lose Weight?"
The story within, "The Fat Trap," related that it appears to be that when obese individuals lose weight, their body fights against it; eventually, they have to consume less to maintain the same weight as someone else, since their bodies are not happy about this drastic change.
The study referenced took a control group of obese individuals and put them on a major diet, restricting their portions to specific shakes and two cups of veggies a day. For those who stuck with it, the average weight loss in ten weeks was 30 pounds. Then the subjects were taken off the diet; many regained the weight.
I don't think that any means of successful weight loss will involve extreme starvation; people do not become unhealthily heavy overnight, so it cannot be they can remove that weight suddenly and keep it off.
I would think that if one wanted to take control of their weight, they have to start small. Like no processed or take-out foods. Introducing less refined flours into their diet, and fruits and vegetables. And when they are victorious in healthy food habits, moving on to portion size.
If the body experiences gradual weight loss, the way it experienced gradual weight gain, maybe it won't react so strongly to loss of pounds.
While I was not categorized as overweight (being tall has its perks for pound distribution), I implemented methods to control my eating. I would take up a step, and I managed to maintain it to the point where it became routine, rather than an effort. After nearly a decade, I've had to date a 20 pound weight loss, the most recent five pounds lost this year.
I've been relaying how I did it, and I hope those who have weight issues out there will opt for a healthier means rather than shortcuts. For instance, on Dr. Phil there was a woman who had bariatric surgery, but she never actually dealt with her food addiction. Since she couldn't eat because her stomach would explode, she became a shopaholic.
Something that major will not be able to be solved by sudden, drastic measures; it has to be undertaken with patience and determination. As in many things in life.
3 comments:
Great article!
It's so very true. I have a nutritionist friend who observed my eating habits, recommended changes... I've lost 10 pounds over 8-9 months.
It's really amazing what bad habits we pick up as we grow up, and how it affects us down the road.
very true. losing weight really needs to be a whole turnover, life process. rachelli.
JWG: Power to you! That is a great accomplishment. And because you chose the healthy route, chances are the weight won't come back.
Rachelli: It can't be about stunty diets, or about murdering oneself on exercise equipment. It has to be maintainable. And how I hope I will always be able to maintain it!
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