![]() |
![]() |
Weight Loss Information from experts |
|
![]() |
![]() |
How to Lose Weight: Food for Thought
When it comes to weight loss, most of us would like to engage in what psychologists call "magical thinking." We'd like to believe that some easy trick or ritual would allow us to shed pounds while eating anything we liked. Wouldn't it be nice if consuming all our food before 6 p.m., doing yoga, or hopping on one foot for five minutes would allow us to chow down with all our favorite goodies and still lose weight? Unfortunately, despite what legions of people with a book or a product to sell might claim, it's just not so. Yet it really is possible to come up with a system for losing weight. The real secret is this: It's all about the calories. Most of us have heard that sensible weight loss involves some combination of diet and exercise. As a physician, I'm surely not going to tell people to avoid exercise. For most people, exercise is a very healthy thing to do. But when it comes to losing weight, unless we're training for the Olympics, the effect of exercise is minor. What matters most is how many calories go down the hatch. This bears explaining. Our bodies use the calories we consume to fuel our basic life-processes. The heart needs lots of fuel (calories) to beat its usual 100,000 times in 24 hours. The brain, liver and kidneys also require lots of fuel to perform their many chemical reactions and metabolic tasks. Most of the calories we burn in 24 hours (about 1500 for women and 1800 for men) we would still burn even if we were in a coma. It's true that working the muscles in our arms, legs and trunk requires fuel (calories) as well, but you'd be amazed how long you would have to row, jog, swim or walk to burn off the calories in one slice of cherry pie. (Answer: In order to burn the 486 calories in a slice of cherry pie a 175-pound person would need to row for 35 minutes, jog for 37 minutes, swim for 41 minutes or walk briskly for 63 minutes.) For most of us it would be more practical to just not eat the pie. Each of us has a calories-per-day figure for maintaining body weight. If, on the average, we eat that many calories, then we will maintain body weight, neither gaining nor losing. If we consistently eat more calories than our break-even number, then we will gain weight. The unused calories have to be stored somewhere, and will probably go into our body's fat cells. If we consistently eat fewer than our break-even number of calories, then we will lose weight. The body will get its fuel somewhere, and will burn off calories that have been put into storage in fat cells. This is how it is. We just can't get around the basic biology and physics. So, if we're trying to lose weight, how do we choose what we do or don't eat? Well, sometimes, our choices are haphazard. A useful analogy concerns shopping. How in the world could we do a good job of shopping without knowing the prices of the items we're putting in our shopping carts? Without knowledge of the prices our choices in merchandise could easily exceed our budgets. The same holds true when it comes to eating. If we wanted to budget our calories, how in the world could we make good choices if we didn't know the calorie count of the foods we eat? We just couldn't do a good job. Our calorie intake per day would probably exceed our break-even point for maintaining body weight, and we would gain. So, in order to make sensible choices, it's crucial to know the approximate number of calories in the foods we eat. An easy way to do that is to buy a paperback book in the check-out line of your grocery store that lists the calorie content of usual portions of commonly consumed food and beverages. (Or look them up online.) We don't necessarily need to check the list each time we sit down to eat, but knowing typical figures for our favorite foods will enable us to know if we're keeping or exceeding our daily calorie budget. This is not as awful as it sounds. In fact, there can be pleasant surprises. Suppose I typically get the munchies in the evening, and I roam the house in search of goodies to snack upon. Here is where knowledge of calorie contents can pay off. If I satisfy my munchies by eating cookies, French fries, potato chips or candies, then I'll blow my daily food-budget in just one sitting. But what if I substitute pretzels or unbuttered popcorn? They might be just as satisfying, yet contain fewer calories. So these alternative choices might spare my daily calorie budget at no loss of satisfaction. As a physician I often encourage my patients to lose weight. Being overweight can increase blood pressure and cholesterol which, in turn, increase the likelihoods of heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks and strokes are the number one and number three causes of death in the U.S., respectively, and strokes are the number one cause of disability. So we're talking about real conditions that afflict real people. Moreover, our overweight bodies put more stress and strain on our spines and our knees, making them wear out earlier, hurt more, and interfere with quality of life. Some patients with whom I have this conversation look at me like I'm crazy. They're eating barely enough food to keep a small bird warm, they say. The problem-or the solution-couldn't possibly lie with the food they eat. The incentives are clear. The choices are ours to make. We shouldn't blame our metabolism. And we shouldn't delude ourselves that we consume barely enough to keep ourselves alive, and yet still, unaccountably, gain weight. We need to take our health into our own hands and start making choices that increase the quality and quantity of our remaining years. (C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com
MORE RESOURCES: Nutritionist shares ‘magic drink’ recipe to melt belly fat faster and boost metabolism naturally | Health Hindustan Times ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘My Name Is Earl’ Star Ethan Suplee Shows Off Dramatic 250-Lb. Weight Loss People.com Alia Bhatt lost weight with Intermittent Fasting; US doctor shares if the method is safe and how to do i The Times of India Exclusive: Bill Gates, PAHO consider ways to bring weight-loss drugs to lower-income countries Reuters 'Curious Conversations' podcast: Webster Santos talks about drug discovery and weight loss Virginia Tech News Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may impact medical imaging results Radiology Business In this state, obesity is a major problem. But a new GLP-1 benefit is failing to catch on. USA Today Study: Human Coaches Paired with AI Programs Promote Greater Weight Loss DBusiness Magazine Video New research looks at potential of GLP-1 drugs and addiction ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos Prediabetes can be reversed: Study reveals how fat distribution, not dramatic weight-loss holds the key to The Economic Times GLP-1s Support Weight Loss, Symptom Relief in Psoriasis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) Weight loss medicines like Ozempic could treat alcohol and drug addiction, new research suggests The Times of India Melissa McCarthy Puts Dramatic Weight Loss On Display After Allegedly Losing Another 20lbs yahoo.com Maintaining Incremental Weight Loss and Diets: David Rometo, MD The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) Hy-Vee pharmacy to sell weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy at about 50% off - The Des Moines Register Hy-Vee pharmacy to sell weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy at about 50% off The Des Moines Register Insurers adapt to climate change and GLP-1s lombardodier.com Diane Keaton’s Close Friend Details Dramatic Weight Loss Before Death: ‘She Was Very Thin’ Us Weekly Oral GLP-1 drug promotes substantial weight loss in trial Cornell Chronicle State: Wilson County woman claimed $87,000 in fraudulent insurance claims, stole weight loss drugs WRAL.com Video Illegal counterfeit weight loss drugs on the rise, as authorities struggle to keep up ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos Costco to Sell Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy The New York Times Rhode Island considers ending Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss Rhode Island Current Life after GLP-1s: How to sustain weight loss KevinMD.com Weight loss drug stigma shows society still holds negative attitudes towards body weight and obesity The Conversation 9 Paths Beyond Ozempic: Pills, Programs and Policy Woman's World Higher dose of semaglutide increases weight loss, metabolic benefits: Newsroom UT Southwestern Medical Center Weight Management & Obesity Program (Adult) University of Michigan Health Woman reveals ‘terrible side-effect' she ‘never saw coming’ after taking popular weight loss drug UNILAD TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: What To Know TRICARE Newsroom (.mil) From a humble beginning to a net worth of Rs 300 crore and drastic weight loss – Kapil Sharma’s journey and shocking transformation The Times of India What to know about the world of counterfeit weight loss drugs sold online Good Morning America FTC Sends Refunds to Consumers Harmed by Weight-loss Supplement Marketer’s Deceptive Claims and Review Practices Federal Trade Commission (.gov) Q&A: TRICARE For Life Coverage of Weight Loss Medications TRICARE Newsroom (.mil) Jeremy Clarkson's health struggles from 'urgent' hospital treatment to weight loss drugs Yahoo News UK Weight Management Clinic (Pediatric) University of Michigan Health Jonah Hill continues flaunting major weight loss on movie set after shocking fans with new look Page Six Weight loss patients fret over FDA limits on off-brand drugs The Detroit News Jennifer Lopez reveals 'very thin' frame as she showcases dramatic weight loss in new film HELLO! Magazine Bai Lu says mysterious illness caused her drastic weight loss Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore Bill Gates targets low-income nations to expand access to weight-loss drugs Business Insider Africa Weight loss methods and risk of depression: Evidence from the NHANES 2005-2018 cohort ScienceDirect.com Cysteine restriction plays key role in weight loss National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov) Weight loss program winner from Nevada shares her story Pahrump Valley Times Study: Are Weight Loss Drugs Dangerous for People with Asthma? American Lung Association |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Weight Loss Secrets from Hollywood Movie Stars - LA Personal Trainer Speaks Out! In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work with some of the most famous movie stars in the world. As a manager and personal trainer for Kathy Smith and her health club, I experienced first hand the secrets to the stars. Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique. How To Maintain Your Weight Loss Motivation One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape, is maintaining the motivation you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Just about anyone will lose some of their enthusiasm, a month or so into a weight loss program. How High-Carb Diet Plans Treat Carbohydrates A number of popular diets are focused on carbohydrates. Some demonize them. Slimmer Legs... Stress-Free Well, with the success of my article, "Wrinkle Remover That WORKS!!", I realize that there is a really strong interest in getting information that is going to do something for you, rather than generalities that come under the "same old thing" category. And, as you know if you read the article, we found a great and effective cream that does a knockout job of actually reducing wrinkles. Weight Loss with Non Fat Foods? More is NOT Better! Studies show that most Americans are fifteen percent fatter today than they were in the early nineties. Wouldn't you think with all the non-fat foods on the store shelves that maybe we would be losing weight verses gaining it ? There are two reasons for this: one is physiological and the other is psychological. An Introduction to Tummy Tucks Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the stomach and tightens the abdominal muscles. Many people who are unable to achieve desired results with traditional diet and exercise seek a plastic surgery tummy tuck. Planning Your Diet We have plans for everything these days. That is how we can fit 100 different things into each day. LapBand Surgery: The Rules of the Road, Part 2 The Constant Quest for Restriction; Not enough vs. too muchRestriction. 5 Tips to Use Your Head and Let Go of that Extra Weight Notice, if you would, that every diet out there only tends to address your body, but what about your mind? Think about this. If your head does not have the right image or direction, your diet will tend to fail. Why Should I Lose Weight? According to the BMI chart, if you are overweight, you may be more at risk of developing disease. That should be reason enough to lose weight. Compulsive Eating Signs Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing or continuous eating. Purging (vomiting or laxatives) are not present, but there may be intervals of repetitive diets or fasts. Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #8 Life is extraordinary filled with wonderful people to show up to teach us things. Mitzi, a special friend from high school, sent me a book, The Game of Life and How to Play It, when I was struggling with a sickness years ago. An Interesting Look at Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling and banding of the stomach as well as bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The most popular method today is a combination-approach that staples the stomach into a small pouch while reattaching the small intestine to the pouch forming a Y-shape so patients lose weight both because they eat less and their bodies absorb less of what they eat. Why You Should Burn Body Fat Are you overweight? Then you probably want to lose some weight. It is obvious that you'll burn body fat by increasing your metabolism. Is the New "High-protein Low-saturated Fat" Diet the Answer to Weight Loss? The heated debate, within diet circles, that began a few years ago and continues today is over the effectiveness of the high-protein, low-carbohydrate, type diet versus its counterpart, the high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.To the delight of the Atkins diet enthusiasts, recent studies have suggested that a diet high in protein and low in fat has a greater effect on diet induced thermogenesis (calorie burning) than a high carbohydrate low fat diet. 2 Ways To Start Burning More Calories Today 1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning. Lose Fats - Gain Confidence when You Lose Weight "How do I lose 5 kg or 30 kg?""How do I gain some muscles and tone up sexily?"It is simple. Yes, you heard it right, it is simple. Getting Through a Weight Loss Plateau If you are traveling on the path towards wellness you will occasionally hit road blocks in self motivation. There will be times that you will be filled with self doubt and will undoubtedly ponder the question that has left even the most motivated dieter reeling, "How do I get through a weight loss plateau?" Dealing with slow weight loss and plateaus are very frustrating, especially when you have stepped on the scale after a week of doing everything "right"! The best way to surge past a weight loss plateau and avoid any future blocks in self motivation is to use the power of your mind. Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more specific we are in discussing weight loss information the better it is for everyone. ![]() |
© KeralaClick.com 2006 |