This year, two-thirds of obese Americans will try to lose weight. Less than half (40 percent, to be exact) will succeed. A new national study confirms what we local residents have known forever – but refused to admit to ourselves – that eating less and exercising more is the only proven method for weight loss in Overland Park.
Fad diets, prepackaged meals and weight loss pills will continue to be attractive weight loss Overland Park strategies for years to come. It’s no secret why, either: they all promise us that magic bullet that will take pounds off without us even really realizing it. Remember that vibrating exercise band that you wear around your waist that shakes and jiggles the pounds away? Oh, how we wish that could actually work! What if there was a shake you could have for lunch every day or just a quick, minimally invasive surgery that would take all the guilt out of slamming down two Big Macs on our way home from work? Unfortunately, these notions are little more than dreams, scams and smokescreens.
The latest study was published as part of the “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey” headed by the CDC and involved researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Researchers examined over 4,000 obese adults from 2001 to 2006 and found that 1,026 lost 5 percent of their body weight over the course of a year and 510 people had been able to shed at least 10 percent of their body weight (which is ideal). So, what exactly worked for these people that we can apply to our local programs for weight loss in Overland Park?
Here’s how the dieters did it: 65 percent ate less food, 44 percent ate less fat, 41 percent switched to foods with fewer calories, and 4 percent took weight loss medications prescribed by their doctors. Researchers found that joining a weight loss program was extremely helpful for those who lost the most weight, as the structure motivated people to keep up with healthy habits.
Researchers found that there were other popular strategies that did NOT work. Of the group that did not lose any weight: 41 percent tried drinking more water, 14 percent tried eating diet foods and drinks, 10 percent used over-the-counter herbal remedies, and 7 percent went on some type of liquid diet.
If you’re one of the people who is looking for a quick and effective weight loss Overland Park program, then keep in mind that there is no true “shortcut” to slim down without any sacrifice or habitual changes made. Yet, that being said… you CAN lose 8-10 pounds per month by joining a fitness boot camp and nutrition program at your local gym, which is considered the most effective method out there. Join here!
