Archive for March 4th, 2010
Long Term Weight Loss – Fact or Myth?
You commit yourself to shed weight, and you sweat, and you eat better, and eventually, that excess weight is gone! But, how possible is it to maintain your hard-won success?
A new study is showing that people who shed weight and want to keep it off might benefit from reaching out at least once a month with a fitness/nutrition professional to help them stay on course.
In a test of three routines that might help people manage weight loss, those who had monthly personal counseling were best at keeping off unwanted pounds. Overall, 42 percent of the study members maintained at least a 9-pound weight loss for 30 months. This experiment is the longest and largest to test tactics for long-term weight loss maintenance, and it suggests that long-term weight control is an achievable goal.
The USA is in the heart of an obesity scare, one that indicates serious future health consequences. Obesity is the premier cause of high blood pressure, diabetes and abnormal cholesterol, which are in turn the premier causes of cardiovascular disease and death in this nation.
The 72-month study consisted of 18-25 members; experienced counselors emphasized three key elements to weight loss: consuming fewer calories, boosting moderate physical activity, and digesting a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain/high fiber foods and fat-free dairy products.
Those conducting the research randomly appointed the participants to one of three groups:
•Personal contact - volunteers talked with an interventionist monthly, (9 times by telephone and 3 times in person each year) who offered personal counseling and motivation.
•Interactive technology - Study members had access to an interactive website on which they could record and track their exercise routine and calorie consumption; set goals and monitor their progress toward them.
•Self-directed - Members were urged to maintain their weight loss and then sent off without further intervention.
Overall, 71 % weighed less than when they began.
The research results also showed that even when volunteers did not necessarily lose a tremendous amount of weight, even smaller amounts had potential health benefits.