I have just gotten off of a video call with Dr. Wayne Andersen, who wrote "The Habits of Health". He was talking about a study that basically, called out the Biggest Loser. In the study, it found that over time, the people who lost weight on the show continued to "lose" the weight loss battle; that is, they gained back weight and in fact, their metabolism slowed and it was more difficult to lose weight.
Some interesting (and scary) statistics. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If that isn't scary enough, consider this. The U.S. is 5% of the world's population and we consume 50% of the world's medications. Now, THAT'S scary!
We were created with 40 BILLION fat cells which were designed to get us through the hard times -- like back when we had to hunt and gather to eat. Well now, the only hunting and gathering we do is in the grocery store. We don't really need to fill up those fat cells anymore because food is readily available to us. And if you don't believe me, look on every corner, cause I'm pretty sure there's a fast food joint that is more than eager to have you eat there!
Dr. A pointed out something I have known for a long time -- diets don't work. It requires a lifestyle change. He described it as a scaffold of sorts. First of all, there is no such thing as willpower. If that was all that was required, then, losing weight and keeping it off would not be a problem. Rather, in order to lose weight and sustain it, one needs to do several things.
Change your diet. He recommends the Medifast 5 + 1 plan. Do not worry about exercise at the "get go". Wait 3-4 weeks. Then, begin to make those small changes. Add walking until you reach 10,000 steps per day. Later, add lifting weights. Not a lot, but enough to increase your metabolism and prevent loss of muscle mass, which we all have as we get older. Make losing weight your priority. Lastly, one of the most important things: Surround yourself with like-minded people. Positive people who will encourage you and "cheer you on"; those with similar goals.
If you want to maintain a healthy and sustainable weight loss, go into this with the idea there is no "good" or "bad". Everyone does fall off the wagon. Do not use the scale as your marker. Rather look for other non-scale victories; smaller clothing sizes, inches off your body, saying 'no' to an unhealthy food placed in front of you, or even, helping someone else on their weight loss journey.
The underlying message? Change IS possible. You have to dream it, believe it and do it.
There are people who were morbidly obese (over 400 lbs) who have gone before you and maintain their weight loss years later. It has not been without falling off the wagon here or there, but they got back up, dusted themselves off and moved forward.
I know for me, this has been my personal struggle. Not believing change is possible, losing weight, falling off the wagon, feeling guilty ("bad") and perpetuating a cycle of negativity. I realize that much has to do with my inner attitude, who I surround myself with, taking time to decompress and not letting the scale be my motivator but rather, my health. The statistics I posted ARE scary. I don't want to become a casualty of our burned out, stressed out, hurry up and wait kind of world. I want to be part of the world that is fundamental in making a change and showing others that being unhealthy does not have to be a death sentence.
Losing weight is hard. Being fat is hard. Choose your hard.
"One Step At a Time" by Jordin Sparks
https://youtu.be/PIE5QtkxzvM?list=PLIT1U6WS4aYBLwNPx8HxL7Hb8Gr5Z5lSn
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