Dr. Jeffrey Friedman, an obesity researcher at Rockefeller University, would contend that our bodies have a "set range" of weight it wants to be, spanning about a 30 pound range. The body's determination to maintain its composition is why a person can skip a meal, or even fast for short periods, without losing weight. It's also why he says that burning an extra 100 calories a day will not alter the verdict on the bathroom scales. Struggling against the brain's innate calorie counters, even strong-willed dieters make up for calories lost on one day with a few extra bites on the next. And they never realize it. "The system operates with 99.6 percent precision," Dr. Friedman said.
I say, BAH!! Even at 155.5, that is STILL over 130 pounds lost - and I've that I have kept it off for over 2 years!!! I doubt I am in the "0.4" percentile of "strong willed dieters."
Besides, you mean to tell me that suddenly our generation has 66% of us with a "set-point" in the overweight /obese range? Whatever! No generation before ours has had weight troubles like this! And I refuse to believe that ALL of our brains ALL decided we should ALL be fat at the same time!!!
I also read another article about how nearly 100% of Americans will be overweight or obese in our lifetime. Obesity truly is an epidemic, and our toxic culture just makes it worse.
Advertizing bombards us constantly - Telling us to consume more. Restaurants serve us calories dense dishes in enormous portions for cheap prices 24 hours a day. Yet we are shown dangerously thin movie stars and models as the "ideal" body!!!!! (I am talking to you Angelina!) GAH!
It really is no surprise to me that the September issue of Fortune Magazine will announce that NutriSystem is the fastest growing company of 2007. (http://money.cnn.com)
- "NEW YORK -- FORTUNE announced today its 17th annual list of America's Fastest-Growing Companies. Topping the ranking is NutriSystem of Horsham, Pa., an online diet company that saw profits soar at a rate of 433% annually over the past three years, while its stock returned a total of 244%. Americans' bulging waistlines have helped push this 35-year-old diet company to the top of the list this year."
Of course... I've never used any weight loss program, just eating right and exercise for me!
Anyway, I am going to get back under 150... It is just SO HARD to get healthy when everywhere you look is an opportunity to "fall off the wagon" again!! Oh! And speaking of that, I am going to be in San Antonio from the 7th - 16th on a business trip! Ahhh!
When it rains it pours. ;)
6 comments:
I never go by what calorie counters say - I am 5'7 in. and 132 lbs and they all say I should eat 1600.
Yeah right. I think we need to face up to the fact that we our bodies are efficient at getting the most from very few calories. So I eat 1300 to maintain. Go to howstuffworks.com and look for health subjects "How weight loss works" They explain why human don't need to eat very much and give you a realistic amount of calories.
To get down to my best 129 I exercise and eat no dairy and never ever meat or fish. I get protein only from plant sources.
I saw a re-run of Martha Stewart today. A man who had lost 160 lbs was asking Martha's trainer how he could get rid of the last 20 lbs that wouldn't budge. She told him to do a 5 min cardio warm-up like treadmill then do a set of 2 diffrent strength training exercises. Then 3 or 4 more of cardio. Alternating back and forth for an hour daily.
According to the trainer, since cardio had been his only form of exercise durring his weight loss, she gaurenteed that this would do the trick.
Hope it helps.
I will try to up my exercise routine! I know I have been slacking in that department too. ;)
You are doing so great Jess! I agree with the previous comment about changing up the exercise routine. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So build up those bi-ceps! You go girl! You're a rock star!!! : )
I read the "Body Code Diet" and it suggests that when you hit a plateau as one that you are currently struggling with, try working out with a 5 - 10 pound sack of grain in a backpack. You can trick your body into thinking it weighs more and thus you will burn more calories! Don't know...could work!
Good posting, and congats on the great progress you've made. The last pounds to loose are the hardest, but after all you've lost you can do it :)
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