1. Real Weight Loss
Solutions
Much of the weight loss industry likes to focus on overweight Americans. That’s where
the money is for them. But the truth is, much of the world is overweight, too.
Studies showed that in 2000, 45% of adults all over the world were overweight.
Overweight people are more likely to have chronic health problems such as diabetes,
high blood pressure, and knee arthritis. Overweight people also die at younger ages than
persons of normal weight.
Many overweight people want to lose weight to improve their health and their
appearance. Because so many people want to lose weight and doing it is difficult there
are many commercial weight loss programs on the market. Many are expensive,
capitalizing on the huge demand. Of those programs many are ineffective.
Each year millions of Americans and Europeans enroll in commercial and self-help weight
loss programs. Health care providers and their obese patients know little about these
programs because of the absence of systematic reviews. Unfortunately, many patients
and their doctors know little about the effectiveness and safety of these programs,
either.
Few high-quality studies have assessed weight loss programs. Many of the existing
studies present the best-case scenario because they do not account for people who drop
out of the program. The evidence to support the effectiveness of major commercial
weight loss programs is limited. Patients considering the use of commercial weight loss
programs should realize that these programs have not been carefully studied.
So, do weight loss programs really work? Some do in the short term but long term
results are doubtful.
The real effective way to lose weight is just what we all want to ignore: behavioral
change done
diligently over time.
Changing behavior over time and engaging in a regular exercise routine is what will take
excess weight off and keep it off. There is no magic potion, pill or program. Change
behavior from what you eat to how you eat it, how much you eat and when is the key to
long term, successful weight loss.
2. It comes down to more calories used each day, called “burning calories,” than taking in,
called “eating.”
If you are fighting obesity haphazardly, start to change your behavior TODAY. Use a
smart yet systematic approach to behavior modification. It will take time but the long
term benefits and permanent weight loss will be there!