And therein lies the key difference between weight loss and weight maintenance: results vs. progress. Weight loss is all about hitting a number, achieving a goal; maintenance is about the paradox of staying at said number while continually, gradually, building a life that makes the number irrelevant.
There's isn't a Result to achieve anymore --...
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Now, now, don't say "Well, duh!" In attempts to stay contemporary, many fast food chains are marketing or creating "lite" menus and more healthful dishes. While they're a great last resort, the point is you can diet and still easily rely on the same restaurants that contributed to your weight. Again, flip sides of...
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In some ways, Angela’s review of key maintenance predictors yesterday was a nice validation for those of us who’ve been slugging out on our own. After all, the National Weight Control Registry’s research is pulled from surveying successful maintainers. Yet in my interview with Graham Thomas, he explains that while they were able to...
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If I hear one more person say, "just keep doing what you did to lose the weight," I think I will scream. I have gained and lost 100+ pounds twice -- losing weight wasn't the problem, but keeping it off sure was.
Because while similar to weight loss, maintenance has subtle, important differences, both in...
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In a previous column I explored definitions of weight maintenance used in the scientific literature. Let’s use a familiar example to illustrate some of these definitions. The TV show The Biggest Loser features obese people losing weight through diet and exercise. There is a prize for those who lose the greatest percentage of their...
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Maintenance isn't always what you think it is, scientifically. What you see in all the success stories is skinny people, folks that lost weight and presumably stayed there. But the research doesn't necessarily define maintenance that way, or even stick to one prevailing idea.
So if you're confused about what's actually "maintaining," don't worry. What...
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As of December 23, 2009, with nearly 180 lbs gone, my BMI is now miraculously in the “healthy” range and under 25. My weight is under 160 and heading toward 150. I’m registered for a local half-iron triathlon in July. I can wear tiny clothes again! I’ve made it! Again, for the third time....
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