weightloss and maintenance
I've been reading up on researches a little bit regarding calorie counting vs low carb/ lists, etc. I've been trying to find more information on the success rates of both in extreme obese patients, and what doctors really recommend. (I personally have had both). For some reason I can't find too much. The ones that I have found, say counting calories don't work because you can't live forever counting calories. Then others say taking away whole food groups don't work because you will most unlikely not live forever without eating from a whole food group. Well uh....then what?? I've tried both ways over the years, as in many..and they are both hard in my mind. They do work though..if you work it. But then what....
I'm wondering why all of this research isn't focusing more on maintenance? They can make obese do VLC, low carb, etc., and lose the weight. But you don't see much on how they survive through the next few years of survival on maintenance. I'm assuming this is where only the 2 % or how ever many it is, that actually succeed.
Hope I'm not bringing anyone down mentioning this. I'm a researcher at heart, I research everything. I really want to know why they don't show more and do more for people on maintenance because this seems where a lot of people stray. I for one, want the next time I lose a hundred pounds, be able to keep it off!
I've been on so many of these diets that I know it's hard to stay on, as I'm sure most of you do too. The next time I do lose I want to be totally prepared!! It's just sort of ******g me off that not more doctors look at the end result and have people work toward their goals that way. I don't know... maybe I'm just a$# backwards in general.lol
Hope this makes sense this morning. My kids are yelling in the back ground, and asking me questions right and left. But I would like any ones input on this, as I find it very interesting. I've been researching this all weekend and not liking what I see. Our health care is so into losing the weight, they forget about helping when it's crucial. OR they are not putting us on the right plans in the first case.
Lifestyle changes have to be permanent. Research is just research and they can not fix the world or us. Everyone of us have to find our own individual key to success. What works for you may not work for someone else. I am not sure this is what you want to hear but think of it as a chronic disease. There is not cure BUT we can control it. Even for those who are successful with maintenance, they work hard every day to maintain their weight. So they are controlling it, not curing themselves. I hope this help some. I am sorry I could not give you more concrete answers to your question. That is a big question that all of us wish we had the answer to.
HW 611 Pre-opW 580 LW 302 GW 238
on 4/12/10 4:57 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
After doing it for long enough you really don't have to "count the calories" anymore. I kind of know how much a 1/2 cup of pasta is or how many cals in 4 oz of salmon etc so I just write down all the items I eat each day.
Many studies have supported that writing down every morsel consumed will help keep a person focused and on track.
I still write down all my food every day but I don't look up every item in a calorie counting book. If I felt I was no longer maintaining I would go back to adding up the calories just to be sure I'm still doing ok.
The other important thing is to measure food......Not every meal every day but once in a while it's a good reality check. I personally find that's the first thing will slip with me....a 1/2 cup of pasta becomes 3/4 a cup real easy but it's more than I want to consume.
Anyhow.....I'm a big believer in eating from all food groups. Everything in moderation. Some folks don't break down starchy carbs.....That's my problem so I avoid them...I eat very little in the way of rice, potatoes, peas, pasta, etc.....but I eat some, I jus****ch it closely.
Weigh****chers, Doctor Oz (You on a diet), Dean Ornish, are some of the materials I've read over the years which do focus on maintenance. I don't work for WW but I have always felt they have the best program.
FYI - if you want to maintain your weight you take that number and multiple by ten...that's the number of calories you need to maintain your weight. So if you weigh 130 lbs you need to eat 1,300 (if you do a lot of exercise you have to add cals to that number).
I've said it before and I'll say it again....maintenance is the hardest part of weight management. It takes work but then anything worth while takes some effort.
Well that's my 2 cents....
on 4/12/10 5:08 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
www.webmd.com/diet/features/biggest-loser-diet
How The Biggest Loser Diet Works
The Biggest Loser diet works because you burn more calories than you eat, and if you follow the prescription for eating healthy, whole foods every few hours, you shouldn't have to deal with hunger.
"When you eliminate refined starches and sugars or the appetite stimulating foods, hunger and appetite go way down because blood glucose and insulin spikes are minimized," says Dansinger.
Meals are scheduled frequently to help dieters avoid hunger. In addition, portion sizes are monitored and detailed records kept of food intake.
Your starting calorie level is determined by multiplying your current weight by seven (On the television show, they use a factor of six for quicker results). The recommendations range from a low of 1,050 calories for a 150-pound person to a high of 2,100 calories for a 300-pound person.
Most people eat more than they think, so in essence the low end is probably closer to a 1,200-calorie diet," says medical director Dansinger.
As you start losing weight, you'll recalculate your calorie level and take in fewer calories or get more exercise. "If you want to maintain a fairly aggressive weight loss, you may need to adjust your caloric intake to your lower weight," says Dansinger.
The book also includes tips for weight maintenance once you've reached your goal. "We base our recommendation on 10 to 12 calories per pound and an hour per day of exercise for maintenance," says Dansinger.
From what I remember, you're insulin resistent. aren't you? Diabetes is why I went low carb to begin with.. but it's not low carb forever..... of course, I haven't come to the point where I'd be talking maintenance because I sidestepped to a gain (and in this past week, 10 of those pounds have come off again yay)
If I remembered this correctly, that you are insulin resistent, what you might want to do is read everything you can about pancreatic disorders, the function of insulin, and the functions of the liver. At that point you'll probably see it all start to add up. I figured, well, if my LIVER is turning 58% of the protein I ingest and turning it to glucose to fuel the brain.. then why on earth do I NEED carbs.
The last I was at the endocrinologist, he did tell me to take 4000 units of fish oil a day.. of course, I haven't seen him since gaining.. well.. right now I'm about 14 lbs up from when I saw him in November - but on my first visit with him, he said "what plan do you want to be on".. told him I had been low carbing for a while and want to get back to the "induction" phase.. and he was all for it.
Ok.. as far as maintenance.... If I EVER get down to my goal weight.. I KNOW that bread is poison.. so is pasta and flour as well as potatoes and rice and of course, hershey kisses!
I dunno.. I'm guessing.. but if you read atkins.. he DOES have an ongoing weight loss and a maintenance phase.. I just never bothered to read 'em.... (back to induction for me) :)
God love ya kiddo!
Lori
