About one in five Americans who have lost weight have actually kept those pounds off long-term. A new Cal Poly study powered by artificial intelligence reveals some secrets to how individuals reduce weight and keep it off: standing firm regardless of problems; frequently looking back at what their life resembled before the weight loss; and remaining focused on their health.
The more than 6,000 participants were WW members who had actually lost more than 50 pounds on average and kept it off for more than 3 years. They responded to open-ended questions about their inspirations (in the past and present) and methods for preserving weight loss and the resulting lifestyle changes.
” One of the most impressive findings was how weight-loss maintainers explained determination in the face of obstacles,” said Suzanne Phelan, a teacher in Cal Polys Kinesiology and Public Health Department, who led the research study. “Weight-loss maintainers saw setbacks as part of their successful journey. Obstacles were not described as failures. They were viewed as a momentary disruption in their course. Numerous weight-loss maintainers described getting back on track at the next day or the next meal and measuring general success based on long-lasting goals.”.
Outcomes from the open-ended study exposed extra insights into the motivations behind losing weight and keeping it off. Participants typically discussed such health issues as diabetes and heart conditions. Others mentioned concerns about movement, appearance, suggestions from family or buddies and the need for change since they frequently felt tired.
Respondents provided suggestions to others going through their own health and weight-loss journey. Weight-loss maintainers also explained consistently tracking food consumption as a vital skill within a healthy lifestyle.
The research study likewise demonstrated that weight-loss maintainers:.
Wing RR, Phelan S. Long-term weight loss maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr. Jul 2005; 82( 1 ):222 s-225s.
Relationship of a large weight loss to long-lasting weight change amongst young and middle-aged United States women. Int J Obesity.
Weiss EC, Galuska DA, Khan LK, Gillespie C, Serdula MK. Weight restore in United States grownups who experienced significant weight loss, 1999-2002.
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Over 6,000 study individuals, who lost more than 50 pounds and kept the weight off more than 3 years, use suggestions to be successful.
They addressed open-ended questions about their motivations (in the past and present) and methods for maintaining weight loss and the resulting way of life changes. Their findings, published Dec. 30 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, found that compared to weight-stable people with obesity, those who had actually maintained weight loss made food choices based more on health and weight control and less on rate. Wing RR, Phelan S. Long-term weight loss upkeep. Relationship of a large weight loss to long-term weight change amongst young and middle-aged US ladies. Weight regain in US grownups who experienced substantial weight loss, 1999-2002.
Remain encouraged to keep the weight-loss mainly by health and look, along with reviewing previous experiences.
Believe that the most important changes include reduced pain, medical status, self-confidence, feeling more at ease and comfy mentally and physically, physical fitness and body image.
Describe the effects of successful weight-loss as obstacles related to: the expense of purchasing brand-new clothes, unexpected criticism from others, drooping skin and the effort needed to maintain a healthy way of life.
The findings might cause altering what topics are emphasized when individuals are counseled on how to maintain weight-loss..
” As a lifestyle interventionist and scientist, Im delighted to consider how to promote perseverance, motivate tracking of consumption and make changes in medical status more significant throughout the weight-loss journey,” Phelan stated.
Phelan and her co-authors recently published another study that took a look at food-choice motivations amongst 4,000 long-lasting weight-loss maintainers. Their findings, released Dec. 30 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, discovered that compared to weight-stable individuals with weight problems, those who had kept weight loss made food decisions based more on health and weight control and less on cost. Weight-loss maintainers were more most likely to think about the future effects of their existing habits.
” At WW and throughout my medical experience, Ive seen firsthand that someones frame of mind and perspective are crucial to help them construct healthy practices and drive sustainable weight loss and management,” said Gary Foster, co-author of the study and chief clinical officer at WW. “We hope that these findings encourage other individuals going through a comparable journey and equip them with the tools that they need to enhance their own success.”.
Recommendation: “In their own words: Topic analysis of the motivations and techniques of over 6000 long-term weight-loss maintainers” 9 February 2022, Obesity.DOI: 10.1002/ oby.23372.
This research was supported by a grant from New York-based WW International Inc. and trainee fellowship assistance from the William and Linda Frost Fund at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
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Studies that demonstrated one in five Americans keep weight-loss:.