Many people complete a weight loss plan and then find it difficult to maintain their chosen weight.
While I can't say that maintaining weight loss is a simple task, I can say that understanding why it is at times so difficult will put you on the right road to saying "good-bye" to the weight forever. In an LA Times article, researchers report that the human body is seemingly designed to sabotage weight loss at every turn — once a body is fatter, it wants to get back to the weight that it used to be. So the bad and the ugly of it is: The body needs fewer calories to maintain itself, but its craving for food is more intense. It is a cruel reality! You're fighting a fight against the brain, hormones, metabolism and fat storage. It's not fair!
But don't let that discourage you, there is good news. We can fight back and outsmart our stubborn biological processes. Exercise buffers the post-diet body against regaining weight and certain foods may help to stave off weight gain too. And once we understand what underlies our human biology, we can better attack all the saboteurs.
The brain isn't the only thing acting against weight loss. Research from Paul MacLean, associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver, suggests that the central nervous system collects and interprets signals from the intestines and peripheral tissues, such as fat stores in the abdomen, to fight weight loss or regain pounds that were lost. We somehow need to return to the physiological responses from a once obese to a normal body. So, what can a dieter do? It is arguably tough but not impossible they claim. Elements that successful losers have in common are: (1) start with modest expectations (2) instead of trying to eat less for the rest of your life, exercise more — turn off the TV and get up off that couch (3) change what you eat, keep track of how much you eat and skew toward low fat choices.
It is agreeably a bit of an uphill battle but current studies show that people who maintain their weight loss find the first two years difficult but eventually adapt comfortably to their new habits and lifestyles. It's behavioural and physiological and for most it is the most challenging project of their lives. But once the weight is off for the longer term, oh my what a feeling of accomplishment and well being!
David Ogden -Lose Weight USA
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