LoseWeight-related stories
Quit Yo-Yo Dieting: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat
Michelle May, M.D., founder of the "Am I Hungry?" workshops, former president of the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians and author of "Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat"
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| Photo: Michelle May, M.D. |
The reason? In her book, she explains that the very basics of dieting -- the counting, planning and constant need to think and plan your eating based off of someone else's rules (often "before you're even out of bed!") is tiring. So much so, that any good aspect of the diet is essentially canceled out by the end result: "This constant effort and vigilance may wear you out and cause you to return to overeating to escape." Once Dr. May ditched diets, and adopted long-term successful strategies she describes below, the weight came off.
That's Fit: What do you think was most effective in helping you achieve a healthy weight?
Dr. Michelle May: I had to pay attention not just to what and how much I was eating, but why I was eating in the first place. I didn't have any deep, dark emotional issues, but I had certainly learned to comfort and entertain myself with food. Even when I was on a diet and following the rules about what to eat, I was still eating when I was bored, stressed or tired. When I felt too deprived of the foods I loved, I'd go off my diet. Nothing had fundamentally changed about my relationship with food so I just went back to overeating my favorites. This is what I called my eat-repent-repeat cycle.
I've since worked with thousands of people who are doing exactly the same thing, and the reason is that with yo-yo [dieting you don't] have any middle ground -- you are either on your diet or off. I kicked yo-yo dieting by changing the paradigm completely from a yo-yo to a pendulum. There is still the possibility of extremes but as you give overeating and dieting less of your energy, the pendulum settles into a smaller arc in the middle where you have the flexibility and the mindfulness to nourish your mind, body, heart and soul.
Middle-Age Belly Fat Cure, Weird Food Ingredients and Centenarian Diet Advice - Links We Love
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Alternative & Green Health
We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.
Think good luck and genes are all it takes to live to 100 (and beyond)? These centenarians (members of the over-100 club) share insight about why they think they've lived so long, including what they eat (and what they avoid) and how they've stayed active over the years.
Carrying some extra weight around your waist? Obesity experts and bestselling authors Drs. Mary Dan Eades and Michael R. Eades claim to have the remedy. Their new book "The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle" promises to show you how to get your tummy back in shape. AOL Health has six steps you can start trying today.
Do You Know What's Really in Your Food? Take AOL Health's Weird Food Ingredients quiz to see if you know what bathroom cleaning ingredient is also found in chips, what hot dogs and headaches have in common and more!
Do You Know What's Really in Your Food? Take AOL Health's Weird Food Ingredients quiz to see if you know what bathroom cleaning ingredient is also found in chips, what hot dogs and headaches have in common and more!
Think good luck and genes are all it takes to live to 100 (and beyond)? These centenarians (members of the over-100 club) share insight about why they think they've lived so long, including what they eat (and what they avoid) and how they've stayed active over the years.
An Interview With Candace Parker - Face of the WNBA
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks Forward
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| WNBA |
That's Fit: It's hard enough for most career women to take time off to start a family, how did you deal with the added pressure of needing to really take care of your body so you could get back to playing professionally?
Candace Parker: I was really focused during my entire pregnancy on eating right, exercising and just taking care of my body. Being active during my pregnancy and having a solid foundation really helped me when I wanted to come back. I rode the elliptical a lot. I still shot baskets. I went on walks with my dogs a lot. I just stayed active.
Booty Fat vs. Belly Fat
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our That's Fit fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hi Fitz. I'm a tall, mostly trim guy, but I have a bit of a gut. My sister's always nagging me about it, but since I'm trim, I tend to ignore her. She says it's worse to have fat on the gut than fat in the butt, but I say fat is fat. What's your spin? Adam
A. Wow, Adam! What a saucy way to deliver a question. I'll do my best to respond accordingly. Here goes: Big bums can be sexy. Big bellies can be lethal. My little scenario didn't rhyme as well as yours, but you get the gist, right? Your sister is correct, pal, and you'd serve yourself well to force that waistline of yours to jump in line with the rest of your trim body.
Annabel Adams Lost 150 Pounds
That's Fit Club, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader. We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other. That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Adidas is giving gorgeous gym bags to each featured member. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
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Name: Annabel Adams
Age: 25
Occupation: Singer, blogger (FeedMeI'mCranky.com), Master's Student and Marketing Assistant
How often do you exercise? I try to exercise every day, but I will not force myself to if I legitimately do not feel well. I typically run three days a week and strength train three days a week.
What type of exercise do you do? I run, do the elliptical, strength train, and dabble in yoga and dance.
Bad Cardio?
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hi Fitz! I've come across a couple articles recently that are dead-set against prolonged cardio multiple times a week. They suggest that High Intensity Interval Training or low intensity activity only a few times a week at most, alongside regular weight training, is the only way to lose fat and stay fit. I don't think I could live without long runs or my favorite aerobics class. What do you think? Thanks, Samantha
A. Hi Samantha! Thanks for the great question. I'm sure it's on the minds of many. Bottom line, the folks who said that are over-opinionated. Think about Lance Armstrong, the guy does massive amounts of cardio each week and is the picture of health. So do I ... and so do most runners, cyclists, boxers, kickboxers, soccer players and more.
Follow the Rules of Weight Loss
Looking to Shrink a Size in 2009? Look no farther than these five rules for weight loss.
The Fidget Factor - Lean People Squirm More
Apparently, small physical activities, like shifting positions, can help you lose weight. And consider this: Lean people who don't exercise tend to move around for two and a half more hours per day than overweight folks. This extra motion burns a bonus 350 daily calories, which can add up to 30 or 40 lost pounds in a year.
Think there's any truth to this theory? I don't. I move all day long, can't even remember when I last put my feet up during the day, and I've yet to see such a dramatic yearly weight loss. But let's call it possible and consider this good news for kids who can't sit still. And for the parents of these kiddos too. Next time your little ones are driving you nutty with motion, don't reprimand them -- join them.
Midlife Women - You're Exercising For the Wrong Reasons
Midlife women often exercise for the two least motivating reasons, says 42-year-old psychology researacher Michelle Segar. They exercise (1) to lose weight and (2) to protect their health. Both really good reasons. Just not the most inspirational ones for this age group.In one study of 156 women, 61 percent named these reasons as their top motivators -- and they happened to do the least amount of exercise. Here's why: Midlife women don't always lose weight with exercise. So if they work to shed pounds and it doesn't work, they get frustrated and give up. Regarding the health reason: Women who have a full schedule and generally feel healthy are not likely to fit in fitness.
What's the best motivator, then, for midlife women? To improve their state of well-being. Think better moods and less stress, and exercise might just become a priority.
Light Lifting - Increase Your Metabolism, Improve Posture, and Lose Weight
It doesn't take major strength training of bodybuilding proportions to benefit the body. Nope, a little light lifting can work wonders for a body in need of a little revamping.Lifting light free weights -- think two to four pounds for starters -- not only adds variety to a stale workout routine, it also can increase your metabolism, improve your posture, and help you lose weight. Another bonus: Free weights are less expensive and more versatile than weight machines. They also work the body in ways machines can't by forcing you to focus on balance and core strength.
Ready to try some light lifting? Take a peek at these exercises, which focus on the shoulder and back muscles but also engage all sorts of other areas. Give them a try, and you'll see what I mean. Keep this in mind as you get started: Position and precision of motion are more important than how many pounds you lift.
Diets need a day off, too
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Dieting can be hard work -- paying such close attention to every bite you take, counting calories, and saying, "No, thank you," to some of your favorite treats is made even more difficult when there's no real end in sight. But, according to DietBlog, a day off from your diet not only lets you recharge, it has other benefits too.For one thing, letting yourself take a day off from your diet keeps your body guessing. If you're always keeping your daily caloric intake low, your body will eventually go into super-efficient mode and hold onto whatever calories it can in the form of fat.
Also, knowing that you've got a "cheat" day coming up can help you avoid a binge. I don't know about you, but if there's no dessert night in the near future, I'm more likely to succumb when I crave something.
Beyoncé says it was tasty gaining 15 pounds
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Gaining weight is so much easier -- and tastier -- than losing it, remarks Beyoncé. The girl knows what she's talking about -- she had to drop a bunch of weight for her role in Dreamgirls, and she just packed on those 15 for her upcoming movie Cadillac Records. Beyoncé plays soul singer Etta James in the film.
Yes, gaining weight is easier than losing it. It tastes good too. Still, I wouldn't want to do it, even if it was part of my job description. There's just something about feeling good in my skin that's a whole lot yummier than packing on the pounds. What do you think?
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Shed the Sugar -- Shed the Weight
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!In order to live a fit life, we must live a well-balanced life. Diets that restrict whole categories of food such as straight protein diets, no fat diets, or diets that include only one type of food, such as juicing, cannot possibly provide the body with all the nutrients necessary to support our complex body systems. But, if there is one food that wreaks more havoc on our bodies than any other, it is sugar.
On average, Americans consume about two to three pounds of sugar weekly. Where is all this sugar coming from? Table sugar (sucrose), corn sugar (dextrose) and high-fructose corn syrup which is in just about every processed food from bread and cereal to sodas to peanut butter, mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce -- just to name a few. Sugar consumption raises insulin levels, inhibiting the essential growth hormones from releasing and thereby depressing our immune systems. When our bodies are forced to confront an influx of sugar, our bodies release insulin in an effort to maintain a constant and safe blood-sugar ratio. Insulin increases our bodies' efforts to store fat, which in turn increases our bodies' propensity for weight gain. But the tricky thing is that our bodies process simple carbohydrates in the same way: white flour, white rice, white potatoes, and of course, white sugar. So, while you may not think that you actually consume much sugar, if you consume simple carbs, you are in essence eating straight sugar. Sugar affects more than just weight gain. See this list to learn more about how sugar impacts your health.
By eliminating simple carbohydrates from your diet, you will naturally begin to consume more complex carbohydrates and protein. You will experience a withdrawal from sugar. Your body will crave carbs and sweets for several days, but after several days you will notice that you feel better -- more alert, less hungry, and you'll have a greater sense of satisfaction after eating. And, you will lose weight. You will notice a difference within a week. After two weeks, your friends will notice a difference! Let me know about your progress!
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: 5 Tips to Burn More Calories
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!While it is true that the best way to lose weight is through a well balanced diet and exercise, there are actually some "trade secrets" that can expedite the process. Check out these easy and natural tips for losing weight.
5 Tips to Burn More Calories:
1. Timing Is Everything. Eat a snack that is high in protein accompanied with a complex carbohydrate. I recommend a slice of turkey with mustard on a piece of Ezekiel bread. Eat this protein/carb snack exactly 90 minutes prior to working out. This will give you additional energy to work out harder and longer, thereby burning more calories and fat. If you eat any closer to your workout time, you will actually lose crucial energy as your blood rushes to digestive system. If you eat earlier than 90 minutes, you will miss the window of opportunity to maximize on the energy the food provides for you.
2. Breathe In & Out. Inhale and exhale via your nose rather than your mouth. This will stabilize your heart rate and increase your endurance. As your endurance increases, you will work out harder and longer.
3. Pump It Up. It actually takes our bodies about 15 minutes to warm up and begin burning fat. Pump up your muscles and get your body warm and ready for fat burning and then do your cardio. By completing your weight-training first, you will burn off more fat.
4. Mix It Up. The term "muscle confusion" refers to the concept of working out different muscles every day. As our bodies become acclimated to a particular exercise or movement, the amount of energy required to complete the task decreases. By exercising different muscles group every day, we continue to increase our ability to burn maximum calories.
5. Path Of Resistance. Resistance training is essential for efficient (and lasting) weight loss. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body uses ... even while sitting still. So, as you lose weight and gain muscle, your body will continue to increase the number of calories it burns every day.
Fat school
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
My son often comes home with stories about kids teasing him or kids picking on another child during the school day. It was true when I was in school and it's still true today ... kids can be cruel. So I can only imagine how difficult life might be for a child or teenager who's morbidly obese. In addition to obvious health complications it creates, their self-esteem and social life are at risk as well. Lifestyle habits are difficult to change. If losing weight was easy, then who would be overweight? It takes enormous commitment and a willingness to shake things up and substitute bad habits with healthier behaviors. The Wellspring Academy in a remote area of North Carolina seeks to help students (age 11 or older) lose weight and learn to live healthfully.
Students must be at least 30 pounds overweight to be accepted to the school which has a maximum enrollment of 50 students. One month's tuition costs $6,250; the required minimum length of stay is four months making the minimum investment $25,000. Participants undergo extensive behavior therapy and rapid weight loss. According to Wellspring's president, the average weight loss for students who stay for eight months is 81 pounds. He also states that the first class of 15 students maintained their weight loss for 10 months.
