Many dieters feel excited when they reach their weight goal, only to find that the kilos somehow return after that.
Many dieters feel excited when they reach their weight goal, only to find that the kilos somehow return after that.
Researchers investigated whether two distinct sets of thought patterns and behaviour were associated with weight loss, defined as losing 10 percent of the body weight in a year, and weight-loss maintenance, keeping that 10 percent loss off for a year. Using a random phone survey of 1,165 American adults, they found that there was little agreement between the two. Those who used a consistent exercise routine or ate plenty of low-fat sources of protein were more likely to report weight-loss maintenance, not weight loss. And those who reported doing different kinds of exercises or planning meals ahead of time, for example, were more likely to report weight loss but not weight-loss maintenance.
Therefore, diet programmes need to guide participants differently to handle each specific phase. More emphasis needs to be given to stabilizing weight loss than just simple weight loss. When one is losing weight, it's kind of exciting. All necessary changes keep happening. But when one gets to the goal, the mindset changes. Some struggle with adding more calories back in, and learning how to eat foods that may not have been on their diet plan.
The adults surveyed by phone were then asked about 36 strategies they might think about and do to accomplish losing the pounds and keeping them off. Fourteen of the strategies were associated with either successful weight loss or successful maintenance, but not both, and the overlap between practices was not much higher than expected by chance.
It was found that strategies associated only with weight loss included participating in a diet programme; looking for information about weight loss, nutrition or exercise; limiting sugar intake; planning meals beforehand; avoiding skipped meals; and thinking about how much better you feel when you are thinner. Strategies associated only with weight-loss maintenance included eating plenty of low-fat protein; following a consistent exercise routine; rewarding yourself for sticking to your eating plan; and reminding yourself why you need to control your weight.
The study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between the practices and weight loss or maintenance. Therefore more research is needed to look at the different methods used by people who lost weight, and various strategies to see what works over the long run.
Researchers investigated whether two distinct sets of thought patterns and behaviour were associated with weight loss, defined as losing 10 percent of the body weight in a year, and weight-loss maintenance, keeping that 10 percent loss off for a year. Using a random phone survey of 1,165 American adults, they found that there was little agreement between the two. Those who used a consistent exercise routine or ate plenty of low-fat sources of protein were more likely to report weight-loss maintenance, not weight loss. And those who reported doing different kinds of exercises or planning meals ahead of time, for example, were more likely to report weight loss but not weight-loss maintenance.
Therefore, diet programmes need to guide participants differently to handle each specific phase. More emphasis needs to be given to stabilizing weight loss than just simple weight loss. When one is losing weight, it's kind of exciting. All necessary changes keep happening. But when one gets to the goal, the mindset changes. Some struggle with adding more calories back in, and learning how to eat foods that may not have been on their diet plan.
The adults surveyed by phone were then asked about 36 strategies they might think about and do to accomplish losing the pounds and keeping them off. Fourteen of the strategies were associated with either successful weight loss or successful maintenance, but not both, and the overlap between practices was not much higher than expected by chance.
It was found that strategies associated only with weight loss included participating in a diet programme; looking for information about weight loss, nutrition or exercise; limiting sugar intake; planning meals beforehand; avoiding skipped meals; and thinking about how much better you feel when you are thinner. Strategies associated only with weight-loss maintenance included eating plenty of low-fat protein; following a consistent exercise routine; rewarding yourself for sticking to your eating plan; and reminding yourself why you need to control your weight.
The study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between the practices and weight loss or maintenance. Therefore more research is needed to look at the different methods used by people who lost weight, and various strategies to see what works over the long run.
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