When It Comes to Weight Loss Even Dieting and Exercise Aren’t Enough

Two new studies on diet and weight loss were released this week. The first by the University Of Pittsburg School Of Medicine, took 130 severely obese people weighing on average 264 pounds. They were divided into two groups. The first got diet and exercise guidance for one year, including free meal replacements and pre-packaged dinners. The second had the same thing except they did not start the exercise program until six months into the study. Both groups received counseling and support from nutritionists and psychologists both one-on-one and in a group setting.  The results were not surprising: At six months, the diet and exercise group lost an average of 24 pounds and had a larger decreased in belly and liver fat then the delayed group. The delayed exercise group lost an average of 18 pounds.  After one year, the diet and exercise group lost an average of 27 pounds compared to the delayed exercise group which lost 22 pounds.  According to USA Today, in a study put out by the Journal of the American Medical Association, on line, on 10/9/2010, 442 obese and overweight women weighing an average of 200 pounds were divided into three groups. Group one received the Jenny Craig program for free, including the pre-packaged food and weight loss counseling at the center. They were also encouraged to do a minimum of 30 minuses per day of moderate physical activity five days a week.  Group two received the exact same thing with the exception that the counseling sessions, with the staff, were performed over the telephone. Group three had two personalized weight loss counseling sessions with a dietitian (not from Jenny Craig). Low calorie diets were planned and exercise and other weight loss behaviors were discussed. Monthly follow-up calls or emails where performed by the dietitian. No free packaged foods were given. The results: After two years, group one had lost and kept off an average of 16 pounds, group two 14 pounds and group three 4 ½ pounds. The moral of the story is that just dieting isn’t enough, just exercise isn’t enough, not even diet and exercise is enough. If you are looking to lose weight get support and get yourself into a program that holds you accountable and is education based.  Be coachable and do the work. Furthermore, I don’t believe that meal replacements are the answer. You need to be able to eat real food. The best program out there, for my money, is Transitions Lifestyle Systems. The disclaimer is that this program is offered in my office. If you’d like to take a look and see if it’s for you, we have regular, no charge orientations. Just call the office and find out when the next one is. Also you can go to my website: www.nutrametrix.com/drmcihone and hit the Transitions Lifestyle Systems tab. Two new studies on diet and weight loss were released this week. The first by the University Of Pittsburg School Of Medicine, took 130 severely obese people weighing on average 264 pounds. They were divided into two groups. The first got diet and exercise guidance for one year, including free meal replacements and pre-packaged dinners. The second had the same thing except they did not start the exercise program until six months into the study. Both groups received counseling and support from nutritionists and psychologists both one-on-one and in a group setting.  The results were not surprising: At six months, the diet and exercise group lost an average of 24 pounds and had a larger decreased in belly and liver fat then the delayed group. The delayed exercise group lost an average of 18 pounds.  After one year, the diet and exercise group lost an average of 27 pounds compared to the delayed exercise group which lost 22 pounds.  According to USA Today, in a study put out by the Journal of the American Medical Association, on line, on 10/9/2010, 442 obese and overweight women weighing an average of 200 pounds were divided into three groups. Group one received the Jenny Craig program for free, including the pre-packaged food and weight loss counseling at the center. They were also encouraged to do a minimum of 30 minuses per day of moderate physical activity five days a week.  Group two received the exact same thing with the exception that the counseling sessions, with the staff, were performed over the telephone. Group three had two personalized weight loss counseling sessions with a dietitian (not from Jenny Craig). Low calorie diets were planned and exercise and other weight loss behaviors were discussed. Monthly follow-up calls or emails where performed by the dietitian. No free packaged foods were given. The results: After two years, group one had lost and kept off an average of 16 pounds, group two 14 pounds and group three 4 ½ pounds. The moral of the story is that just dieting isn’t enough, just exercise isn’t enough, not even diet and exercise is enough. If you are looking to lose weight get support and get yourself into a program that holds you accountable and is education based.  Be coachable and do the work. Furthermore, I don’t believe that meal replacements are the answer. You need to be able to eat real food. The best program out there, for my money, is Transitions Lifestyle Systems. The disclaimer is that this program is offered in my office. If you’d like to take a look and see if it’s for you, we have regular, no charge orientations. The next orientation is at Alta Mesa Chiropractic on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00. Or you can go to my website: www.nutrametrix.com/drmichone and hit the Transitions Lifestyle Systems tab. We hope to see you on Tuesday.