Posted on 04/09/2007 9:46:18 PM PDT by carlo3b
Diets damage health, shows biggest ever studyBy FIONA MacRAE - Last updated at 00:24am on 10th April 2007
Most people pile the pounds straight back on after dieting
The world's largest study of weight loss has shown that diets do not work for the vast majority of slimmers and may even put lives at risk.
More than two-thirds pile the pounds straight back on, raising the danger of heart attack, stroke and diabetes.
Indeed most dieters end up heavier than they did to start with, the researchers found.They warn this type of yo-yo behaviour is linked to a host of health problems. And they say the strain that repeated weight loss and gain places on the body means most people would have been better off not dieting at all.
The findings follow other research that shows the UK is in the grip of a dieting frenzy, with one in four Britons at any one time trying to lose weight.
The average woman is estimated to lose and gain 251/2 stone during her lifetime - putting on 151/2 stone for the ten stone she loses through dieting. Last night, the U.S. scientists behind the latest research - the most thorough and comprehensive analysis of its kind - said that dieting simply does not work.
The University of California researchers analysed the results of more than 30 studies involving thousands of slimmers.
Although the overview did not name specific weight loss plans, popular diets in recent years include the low carbohydrate, high protein Atkins diet and the GI diet, which is rich in slow-burning wholegrain carbohydrates.
(snip)
Researcher Dr Traci Mann said: "You can initially lost 5 to 10 per cent of your weight on any number of diets.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Dr Atkins died from a blow to the head when he fell during one of his daily walks. Death of Dr Atkins. He weighed 195 pounds when he was admitted to the hospital...
And you look great, Californian Lady-in-Red. Well done.
I noticed that slender to medium people willingly hop on the scales regularly and acknowledge their weight. At the same time, I noticed that overweight people won’t step on the scales and don’t want to know their weight.
So, I decided to weigh myself every single day and it works for me. Plus, I drink simple tap water as my beverage — no juices or milk — which cuts out unnecessary calories and saves me at least $1 per day.
Having absorbed a ton of conflicting material and scanned dozens of diet plans, the only thing one comes away with is the not so novel idea that the key to weight loss that stays off and gives you greater longevity is restricting your intake to ONLY good whole foods, IN MODERATION. Eating TWICE as much of good food with half the carbs, or fat, or calories equals exactly the same amount contained in the bad food, or the good food DOUBLED, which defeats the whole idea/ There is NO food you want to eat in unlimited quantities.Eating less of the right foods will take off the weight, making a regimen like that part of your daily life will KEEP weight off.Portion control is the key. Eating tiny or smallish portions several times a day is the way to go. DON’T avoid breakfast, for obvious reasons. Having something to eat as soon as you get up will break the cycle so many dieters have experienced over and over: the idiotic “starving” that carries on through what would and should be breakfast and/or lunch, then GORGING on food starting with dinner, and ending up usually with an after=midnight fridge raid of god-only-knows-what.
Of course the occasional sweet, drink, or fastfood item is okay. But you should limit yourslef to one bad meal every two weeks, and maybe a couple pieces of candy or one slice of cake a week.
Of course if you look at what use to be a serving 30 years ago compared to today you can see why we are fat.
-Researcher Dr Traci Mann said: “You can initially lost 5 to 10 per cent of your weight on any number of diets.-
You can lose 5 lbs in the first week but it is usually water and lost because of lower salt in the diet. The first 10 lbs are easy to lose and gain back.
The most sensible eating plan for life that I have found was via a comment here on Freep. It referred me to the No S plan at Everyday Systems. http://www.nosdiet.com/ It’s simple:
There are just three rules and one exception:
* No Snacks
* No Sweets
* No Seconds
Except (sometimes) on days that start with ‘S’
That’s it.
Thanks for the ping, carlo3b!
That's the key. Eat everything, but in moderation. Instead of a whole baked potato, eat a half. Instead of two scoops of ice cream, have one. Instead of a bowl full of pretzels, have 5 or 6. Save your treats for what counts. Don't waste your sugar allotment on a cake mix cake - eat an ounce or two of dark, good quality chocolate. At first you'll be hungry, but eventually your stomach will shrink and you'll be satisfied with the smaller portions.
The only thing you really don't have to limit are green, leafy vegetables and salad with low fat dressing.
That philosophy has always worked for me, but it's hard to stick to it, esp. during holidays, vacations and social gatherings.
Exercise does make a HUGE difference. It dulls your appetite. When I want to lose a few pounds, I double the amount of exercise I do in addition to cutting out sweets, fatty foods and cutting portions. Works every time.
Hear hear!!
I’m doing that right now. Lost 15.5 pounds since March 19th, one and a half pounds just since yesterday. Atkins along with yesterday’s 10-mile bikeride, 50 ab crunches, and “one-mile” video along with physical therapy stretches and exercises made an impact overnight!
This is for life!
The only treats I’ll allow myself are low-carb ones. And not the low-carb bars anymore; they were a disaster for me last time. If I stray and eat “one bad meal” or eat even “one bad bite of anything”, that’s it. My commitment will go right in the crapper.
Even after I reach my goal, I’m staying away from that stuff. It’s so not worth it anymore!
I have arthritis and atrophied muscles in my left leg. I do what the physical therapist tells me to do; focus on certain muscles and don’t go so far that it hurts. My hips which were paining me awful a few weeks ago no longer hurt, I’m starting to walk normally, and can raise my left leg almost straight up when lying flat on my bed. About four weeks ago, I couldn’t even lift it up an inch without excrutiating pain around the knees and hips. See my previous post and get a load of what I did yesterday alone. I refuse to be beaten!
If you’re hurting, I would strongly suggest getting to a physical therapist and start working on the problems you’re having. Favoring arthritic joints weakens muscles which compounds the problem because those muscles are no longer supported the joints the way they’re supposed to.
Physical therapy is a good idea for some. I have a friend who tried acupuncture with excellent results, too.
There’s no-carb beer. I had one the other day that was good.
Then again, regular alcohol wasn’t an issue for SamAdams76.
I'm 50 and have been barely able to walk at all the last few months. I fell down a flight of 12 stairs in March because of my legs problems. The pain and bruises were awful; I'm lucky I didn't break my neck. I have had a cane next to me to help me up out of chairs. I've also gone through a series of shots into my knee to help out the arthritic knee. When I started these videos, it was simply very slow steps just for the sake of SOME movement; there was no way I could or can keep up yet. I started at about rock-bottom as one can get. When I'm on my bike, my right leg does all the work, my left leg only rides along just to get that joint moving.
It's a very slow recovery. But I ain't goin' down without a fight.
I'll tell you who's my biggest inspiration. My sister-in-law who has had two heart transplants, both knees replaced, and used to be so weak and sick from seizures. She now has a heart that is very compatible for her, she hunts, AND she drives her own Harley. This gal has been on the brink of death and now lives life to the max. If she can fight to live, so can I, and so can many others.
I agree. What an inspiring story!
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