Choose weight-loss plan to fit your life


Because weight loss is a common New Year's resolution, I'm sharing related research findings.

u A study conducted at the weight-control center at Brown University Medical School found that stepping on the scales every day can be one way to make sure you like what you see. You're more likely to catch small changes in your body weight, which can reinforce lifestyle choices.

u A Michigan State study found that women who regularly ate ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast were less likely to be overweight. Cereal eaters also were leaner than women who typically ate something else for breakfast. (No association was found between breakfast choices and weight among men.) Eating a bowl of cereal also usually means adding milk, and thus calcium, which has been shown to help control body fat.

u The National Weight Control Registry is a database of people who have self-reported a weight loss of 30 pounds or more and kept it off for at least a year. NWCR participants have chosen to share information about their weight-loss and weight-maintenance efforts. NWCR data is not a comparison study of populations that have successfully or unsuccessfully lost weight and kept it off, but rather a report of successful attempts. Participants were asked questions about how they achieved their weight loss, and the researchers who maintain the NWCR found that:

u 89 percent changed their diets and increased physical activity; 10 percent used diet modification only, and 1 percent used activity only.

u 55 percent used a formal program, such as Weight Watchers, or professional assistance from a dietitian, psychologist, etc.

u 87.6 percent limited some type or class of food, especially high-fat and high-calorie foods.

u 44.2 percent limited the quantities of food that they ate.

u 43.7 percent counted calories.

u 92 percent exercised at home, 40.3 percent exercised regularly with a friend and 31.3 percent exercised regularly with a group.

u Walking was the most common activity reported.

u 77 percent said a medical or emotional event triggered their weight loss.

u 42.7 percent described losing weight as hard, 31.4 percent as moderately hard and 25.7 percent as easy.

u Two-thirds were overweight as children (about 46 percent indicated that they became overweight at the age of 11 years or younger, and 25.3 percent between the ages of 12 and 18).

u 46 percent had one biological parent who was overweight and 26.8 percent indicated that both biological parents were overweight.

u 91 percent had tried to lose weight previously.

Comparing successful weight loss attempts to previous ones, NWCR researchers found that:

u 81.3 percent used more exercise.

u 63 percent used a stricter dietary approach.

u As a result of weight loss, 85 percent reported improvements in physical health, quality of life, energy level, physical mobility, general mood and self-confidence.

As you can see, successful weight management has no guaranteed magic formula. The goal is to look for sensible strategies that work for you and your lifestyle.

Source: http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily...ng/13491285.htm

I think this article provides some interesting and useful findings for those who have been successful at losing weight and keeping it off. I think this statement best summarized it:

I have personally found that developing strategies that works for my individual lifestyle, also works best for me.

It is good to see that many do calorie counting and walking, and that means it doesn't have to be an expensive proposition.

You are right, weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be expensive. :)