weight loss-related stories
Mayo Clinic Diet Is a Fad
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a fad diet purported to help people lose 50 to 55 pounds during a 10-week span. It has no connection to the respected Mayo Clinic, a top research hospital, in Minnesota.
The basic premise of the diet is that dieters should ban all complex carbohydrates, but can eat as much protein and fat as they want. One of the "rules" of the diet even states, "At any meal you may eat until you are full -- until you can't eat any more."
Experts agree that a diet based on unbalanced nutrition and limited food choices, like the one recommended in the Mayo Clinic Diet, can be unhealthy. Plus, the boredom associated with eating the same foods over and over can prompt a return to old eating habits once someone goes off the diet.
The quick weight loss associated with the plan is also unhealthy. A better option than the Mayo Clinic Diet is the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid, a lifestyle plan that includes a variety of healthy foods and daily exercise -- and is actually associated with the Mayo Clinic. It offers personalized menus, shopping lists, meal plans, results charts and dining-out tips.
Learn more about diet hoaxes that can sabotage your weight loss plans and check out That's Fit's Fitness page for tips to get in shape.
The basic premise of the diet is that dieters should ban all complex carbohydrates, but can eat as much protein and fat as they want. One of the "rules" of the diet even states, "At any meal you may eat until you are full -- until you can't eat any more."
Experts agree that a diet based on unbalanced nutrition and limited food choices, like the one recommended in the Mayo Clinic Diet, can be unhealthy. Plus, the boredom associated with eating the same foods over and over can prompt a return to old eating habits once someone goes off the diet.
The quick weight loss associated with the plan is also unhealthy. A better option than the Mayo Clinic Diet is the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid, a lifestyle plan that includes a variety of healthy foods and daily exercise -- and is actually associated with the Mayo Clinic. It offers personalized menus, shopping lists, meal plans, results charts and dining-out tips.
Learn more about diet hoaxes that can sabotage your weight loss plans and check out That's Fit's Fitness page for tips to get in shape.
Ephedrine: An FDA-Banned Diet Pill
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Ephedrine is an alkaloid, or chemical compound, found in the plant ephedra and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine and some over-the-counter and prescription medications. More recently, it has been marketed as a diet pill.
Ephedra-containing products stimulate the central nervous system and often include additional stimulants, such as caffeine, to promote weight loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration, ephedra has been found in weight-loss supplements and products to increase energy levels and athletic performance. Some variations of ephedra have even been sold as alternatives to illegal drugs.
The use of ephedrine has been controversial because of side effects such as high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, nerve damage, muscle injury, psychosis and memory loss. More serious results have also been reported, including heart attack, stroke, seizure and death. Because ephedrine and supplements containing it have been linked to unreasonable risk of illness or injury, according to the Mayo Clinic, ephedrine is currently banned in the U.S.
To learn about other potentially dangerous weight-loss drugs, take a look at our list of dangerous diet pills.
Ephedra-containing products stimulate the central nervous system and often include additional stimulants, such as caffeine, to promote weight loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration, ephedra has been found in weight-loss supplements and products to increase energy levels and athletic performance. Some variations of ephedra have even been sold as alternatives to illegal drugs.
The use of ephedrine has been controversial because of side effects such as high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, nerve damage, muscle injury, psychosis and memory loss. More serious results have also been reported, including heart attack, stroke, seizure and death. Because ephedrine and supplements containing it have been linked to unreasonable risk of illness or injury, according to the Mayo Clinic, ephedrine is currently banned in the U.S.
To learn about other potentially dangerous weight-loss drugs, take a look at our list of dangerous diet pills.
Grandma Lost 168 Lbs to Get Fit for Her Family
Lynn Haraldson-Bering once weighed a whopping 296 pounds. While she always felt like the same person inside, after years of yo-yo weight gain, she admits her body became unrecognizable. "I allowed my weight to dictate how I lived my life," she said on The Today Show.
She confessed to missing out on years of family events as she grew heavier and more ashamed of her appearance. "My daughters were in high school and I avoided many of their band concerts and games. I stopped visiting my family in other parts of the country because I didn't want them to see me so heavy." Her weight also affected her career. "I quit my job as a writer for our local newspaper because I'd grown so uncomfortable with the constant public interaction."
Click on the video below to watch Lynn share her weight loss journey. Story continues below.
She confessed to missing out on years of family events as she grew heavier and more ashamed of her appearance. "My daughters were in high school and I avoided many of their band concerts and games. I stopped visiting my family in other parts of the country because I didn't want them to see me so heavy." Her weight also affected her career. "I quit my job as a writer for our local newspaper because I'd grown so uncomfortable with the constant public interaction."
Click on the video below to watch Lynn share her weight loss journey. Story continues below.
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Keep the Weight Off, Hottest Antioxidants and Food Companies' Biggest Secrets
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Whether extra stress, sex (hey -- you were thinking it, too) or sick days is the reason you've lost a few extra pounds, our keep-the-weight-off guide will keep you looking slim in your loose-fitting clothes.
Are you making the most of your meals by filling up on the hottest antioxidants -- nutrients that can help you prevent wrinkles and grow shinier hair and stronger nails? Click through AOL Health's photo slide show of the best of the best nutritional powerhouses out there.
You may have realized your Kraft Mac and Cheese contains no real cheese, but did you know that Smucker's "100 percent fruit" label is anything but truthful? Ingredient secrets food companies don't want you to know.
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.
Are you making the most of your meals by filling up on the hottest antioxidants -- nutrients that can help you prevent wrinkles and grow shinier hair and stronger nails? Click through AOL Health's photo slide show of the best of the best nutritional powerhouses out there.
You may have realized your Kraft Mac and Cheese contains no real cheese, but did you know that Smucker's "100 percent fruit" label is anything but truthful? Ingredient secrets food companies don't want you to know.
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.
Caroline Freed Herself of Fast Food and Lost 145 Pounds
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Success Stories
Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.
Name: Caroline Nittolo
Age: 35
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Before weight: 271
Breaking point: After my father passed away from complications from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, I hit rock bottom, and I was still using food as comfort. I went to see the doctor, and my blood pressure was very high. For the first time, I had health issues, and it scared me. Right around that time, I had to travel for a month on business/pleasure and had to take 14 different flights. I was so mortified that the seat belts didn't fit me! The worst part of the whole experience was that most of the flight attendants automatically brought the seat belt extender to me. They knew just looking at me that I would need it. It was horrible! I knew I was big, but I tried to block out the fact that most people could see how big I really was.
Caroline Nittolo, Before
Photo: Caroline Nittolo
Name: Caroline Nittolo
Age: 35
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Before weight: 271
How I gained it: I have been overweight my entire life, but I gained the majority of the weight over the past five years. My dad was very sick and in the hospital for a long time, and I used food as an escape. I ate fast food three or four times a week; I was a fast food drive-thru queen! My favorite was McDonald's, but I would also go to Wendy's and Burger King. I always felt happy while I was eating the food, but I would feel guilty when I finished.
I never got out of the car, thinking that no one would see how big I was if I used the drive-thru. I ordered super-sized meals, but drank a Diet Coke with them, kidding myself that would make a difference. I do miss Ronald, Wendy, and the King, but they were no friends of mine. They were my worst enemy.
I never got out of the car, thinking that no one would see how big I was if I used the drive-thru. I ordered super-sized meals, but drank a Diet Coke with them, kidding myself that would make a difference. I do miss Ronald, Wendy, and the King, but they were no friends of mine. They were my worst enemy.
Breaking point: After my father passed away from complications from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, I hit rock bottom, and I was still using food as comfort. I went to see the doctor, and my blood pressure was very high. For the first time, I had health issues, and it scared me. Right around that time, I had to travel for a month on business/pleasure and had to take 14 different flights. I was so mortified that the seat belts didn't fit me! The worst part of the whole experience was that most of the flight attendants automatically brought the seat belt extender to me. They knew just looking at me that I would need it. It was horrible! I knew I was big, but I tried to block out the fact that most people could see how big I really was.
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.
Crazy Workouts: Which Ones Have You Tried?
Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.
Hopping on the treadmill and sweating it out on the elliptical are things of the past for many of Twitter's fittest tweeters. They've put traditional workouts on the back burner and are trying something new. Check out which exercise waters they've tested.
adragon
BeautyEditorNYC
amaconamac
AshtonJade
erinmmoore
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Hopping on the treadmill and sweating it out on the elliptical are things of the past for many of Twitter's fittest tweeters. They've put traditional workouts on the back burner and are trying something new. Check out which exercise waters they've tested.
BeautyEditorNYC @Thats_Fit craziest workout I ever tried was hula hoop yoga
amaconamac Probably Jukari Fit to Fly - swinging around on a trapeze is serious work! (seriously!) here's my review: http://bit.ly/10rMs0
AshtonJade Who knew pole dancing was so tough my body is aching everywhere but that can only mean one thing - was a good workout !
erinmmoore Attended my first Zumba class this morning. It was crazy, but good. I might be hooked.
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Octomom Loses 145 Pounds Without Surgery Or Trainer
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: Headlinephoto/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic
I know what you're thinking -- just how does a mother of 14 young children find time to diet and exercise? She had to trade a bit of sleep for the sake of fitness by heading to the gym at midnight while a nanny minded the children. Once there, she did strength training but no cardio because "I get enough of that with the kids," she tells US Weekly.
And as for her diet? She relies on five nutritious, protein-rich meals a day, and chooses from household staples like oatmeal, lean protein and even sushi.
She's not the only one -- Sarah Michelle Gellar is already back in shape just one month after giving birth!
Click on the gallery below to see how celeb moms dropped the weight after having babies.
Wii Fit Plus: A Healthy Video Game? The British Think So
Photo: Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images
Turns out I'm not alone. The UK Department of Health has decided to give the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus its approval, reports BBC News. This marks the first time the UK Department of Health has ever given a nod of approval to a computer game.
The biggest change consumers will notice is the addition of the Change4Life logo to the Wii Fit Plus. Change4Life is a campaign in the UK aiming to keep people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to exercise more and eat healthy.
Dr. Oz's Greatest Health Tips and Foods that Sabbotage or Improve Sleep: Links We Love
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Alternative & Green Health, Men's 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.
At That's Fit and AOL Health we certainly love yoga (for weight-loss, to improve sex and more!), but Dr. Oz gave us one more reason to harness our inner-yogis: Loosening your muscles through yoga may mean you're less likely to injure yourself in your other fitness activities. Find 24 more health tips from Dr. Oz.
Got a case of the Monday afternoon slumps? Continue reading to find out why toast could help improve your sleep.
Ahh, the late-night fridge and cupboard rounds...Tempting though they may be, midnight snacks could hurt your chances of catching some Zzzs.
At That's Fit and AOL Health we certainly love yoga (for weight-loss, to improve sex and more!), but Dr. Oz gave us one more reason to harness our inner-yogis: Loosening your muscles through yoga may mean you're less likely to injure yourself in your other fitness activities. Find 24 more health tips from Dr. Oz.
Got a case of the Monday afternoon slumps? Continue reading to find out why toast could help improve your sleep.
Ahh, the late-night fridge and cupboard rounds...Tempting though they may be, midnight snacks could hurt your chances of catching some Zzzs.
New Prescription Diet Pills Coming Soon
Photo: erix!, Flickr
The three prescription drugs presently used to treat obesity include sibutramine (Meridia), which increases satiety; phentermine, which suppresses appetite; and orlistat (Xenical), which prevents some dietary fat from being absorbed by the intestine. Orlistat is sold in a lower dose over-the-counter, like Alli. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing safety information regarding reports of liver-related adverse events in patients taking orlistat.
Like the three well-known drugs above, the new drugs are intended either for people who are obese, which is considered to be 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight, or for overweight patients who have risk factors like high blood pressure. A quick review of the three new drugs:
SlimQuick: Fat Loss Especially for Women or Diet Scam?
SlimQuick is a weight-loss product that claims to be the first fat-burning aid created especially for the fat-storage issues of a woman's body. The weight-loss formula uses vitamin and herb complexes to "overcome the physiological and hormonal barriers" of losing fat."
Reviews of SlimQuick are mixed. On the positive side, the SlimQuick program advocates an exercise program to accompany the use of the product. One testimonial on the SlimQuick web site said, "I was faithful to the diet and exercise program that was outlined. I have never had such quick and excellent results in any diet program."
But there are dissenters out there, too. "Products like SlimQuick perpetuate the growing trend of misinformation under the guise of 'science.' At best, it offers false promises of health and fitness in a bottle," said Melissa Urban, owner of CrossFit 603. "At worst, it could be dangerous to your health."
Reviews of SlimQuick are mixed. On the positive side, the SlimQuick program advocates an exercise program to accompany the use of the product. One testimonial on the SlimQuick web site said, "I was faithful to the diet and exercise program that was outlined. I have never had such quick and excellent results in any diet program."
But there are dissenters out there, too. "Products like SlimQuick perpetuate the growing trend of misinformation under the guise of 'science.' At best, it offers false promises of health and fitness in a bottle," said Melissa Urban, owner of CrossFit 603. "At worst, it could be dangerous to your health."
How Many Calories Do I Need?
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
It's no secret that most Americans consume more calories than they need each day. But how many calories do you need to eat in order to maintain your current weight? The answer, according to the US Department of Health & Human Services, is based on your gender, age and activity level:
Female age 14-18 – 1,800 (sedentary), 2,000 (moderately active), 2,400 (active)
Female age 19-30 – 2,000 (sedentary), 2,000-2200 (moderately active), 2,400 (active)
Female age 31-50 – 1,800 (sedentary), 2,000 (moderately active), 2,200 (active)
Female 51+ –1,600 (sedentary), 1,800 (moderately active), 2,000-2,200 (active)
Male age 14-18 – 2,200 (sedentary), 2,400-2,800 (moderately active), 2,800-3,200 (active)
Male age 19-30 – 2,400 (sedentary), 2,600-2,800 (moderately active), 3,000 (active)
Male age 31-50 – 2,200 (sedentary), 2,400-2600 (moderately active), 2,800-3,000 (active)
Male 51+ – 2,000 (sedentary), 2,200-2,400 (moderately active), 2,400-2,800 (active)
A sedentary lifestyle includes doing only light physical activity associated with day-to-day life. Moderately active individuals walk about 1.5 to 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to doing the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life. Active people walk more than 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to doing the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life.
If you want to lose weight, you need to take in fewer calories than you use. Every 3,500 calories is equal to one pound. So if you cut back 500 calories per day, you should lose one pound per week.
More Diet and Fitness Questions Answered:
How Much Protein Do I Need?
How Do I Calculate My BMI?
How Many Calories Did I Burn?More Diet and Fitness Questions Answered:
How Much Protein Do I Need?
How Do I Calculate My BMI?
Optifast Diet
The Optifast Diet is an 18-week calorie-controlled weight loss program designed for maximum results. Around since the 1970s, the Optifast Diet claims to have helped over a million obese and overweight people -- including Oprah -- slim down.
During the first 12 weeks of the Optifast program, dieters are restricted to consuming liquids only, which come in ready-made meal replacements shakes and soups that are nutritionally balanced to ensure that they provide proper sustenance. During this liquid-only phase, dieters consume around 800 calories per day. After the first 12 weeks, dieters on the Optifast Diet enter a transition phase in which food is re-introduced into the diet, and daily intake during this phase does not exceed 1,200 calories. Dieters are told to expect to lose between two and three pounds per week. During the program, participants are medically supervised and an customized exercise program is also recommended.
During the first 12 weeks of the Optifast program, dieters are restricted to consuming liquids only, which come in ready-made meal replacements shakes and soups that are nutritionally balanced to ensure that they provide proper sustenance. During this liquid-only phase, dieters consume around 800 calories per day. After the first 12 weeks, dieters on the Optifast Diet enter a transition phase in which food is re-introduced into the diet, and daily intake during this phase does not exceed 1,200 calories. Dieters are told to expect to lose between two and three pounds per week. During the program, participants are medically supervised and an customized exercise program is also recommended.
While the Optifast diet has generated a fair amount of positive feedback, there are a number of criticisms of the program as well. Firstly, it's quite expensive -- the initial workup can cost around $600 and dieters might spend around $200 per week on meal replacement shakes. Furthermore, 800 calories a day is far below the recommended daily intake suggested by the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- even if you're trying to lose weight. What's more, it's advised that dieters aim to lose only one to two pounds a week -- any more is considered rapid weight loss and can be harmful to the body. Finally, the weight loss is often not maintained because dieters aren't taught how to control their food intake.
HCG Diet
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonapotropin) is a hormone present in both men and women that is typically used to increase fertility. HCG levels are especially high in pregnant women, and subsequently it's been dubbed the "pregnancy hormone." The HCG hormone is thought to trigger our bodies to burn off more stored fat than we usually would, a belief that has lead to the foundation of the HCG Diet.
The HCG diet is fairly controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, it restricts dieters to 500 calories a day -- well below the recommended daily amount -- is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy. Secondly, the FDA has only approved use of HCG for fertility treatments, and there are no comprehensive studies showing that the HCG hormone either works for weight loss or is safe in the long run. Finally, one of the diet's main promoters, Kevin Trudeau, is well-known in the weight-loss industry for being a convicted fraudster.
The first component of the HCG Diet is daily administration of the HCG hormones, either through an oral supplement or an injection. The second component of the diet is a strict eating plan that allows dieters to consume only 500 calories a day. Breakfast consists of only coffee or tea without sugar but with a tablespoon of skim milk if desired. Lunch and dinner on the HCG diet each consist of 100g of lean protein with one vegetable, one cracker and a small rationing of fruit. Regular doses of the HCG hormone are thought to reduce the side effects of extreme hunger, including nausea, headaches and hunger pains. There are no exercise requirements on the HCG diet.
The HCG diet is fairly controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, it restricts dieters to 500 calories a day -- well below the recommended daily amount -- is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy. Secondly, the FDA has only approved use of HCG for fertility treatments, and there are no comprehensive studies showing that the HCG hormone either works for weight loss or is safe in the long run. Finally, one of the diet's main promoters, Kevin Trudeau, is well-known in the weight-loss industry for being a convicted fraudster.
The first component of the HCG Diet is daily administration of the HCG hormones, either through an oral supplement or an injection. The second component of the diet is a strict eating plan that allows dieters to consume only 500 calories a day. Breakfast consists of only coffee or tea without sugar but with a tablespoon of skim milk if desired. Lunch and dinner on the HCG diet each consist of 100g of lean protein with one vegetable, one cracker and a small rationing of fruit. Regular doses of the HCG hormone are thought to reduce the side effects of extreme hunger, including nausea, headaches and hunger pains. There are no exercise requirements on the HCG diet.
