Hello Jshabtai,
You must already know there are no magic bullets to weight
loss. If there were, there would not be a pandemic of overweight
people in the US, myself included! I?m afraid the only way to lose
weight safely and to keep it off, is to eat right and exercise. A
healthy diet must be maintained once the weight is gone.
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?Looking for a quick and easy way to lose weight? You're not alone.
An estimated 50 million Americans will go on diets this year. And
while some will succeed in taking the weight off, very few--perhaps 5
percent--will manage to keep all of it off in the long run.
One reason for the low success rate is that many people look for quick
and easy solutions to their weight problems. They find it hard to
believe in this age of scientific innovations and medical miracles
that an effortless weight-loss method doesn't exist.
So they succumb to quick-fix claims like "Eat All You Want and Still
Lose Weight!" or "Melt Fat Away While You Sleep!" And they invest
their hopes (and their money) in all manner of pills, potions,
gadgets, and programs that hold the promise of a slimmer, happier
future.
The weight-loss business is a booming industry. Americans spend an
estimated $30 billion a year on all types of diet programs and
products, including diet foods and drinks. Trying to sort out all of
the competing claims--often misleading, unproven, or just plain
false--can be confusing and costly.?
In Search of the "Magic Bullet"
Some dieters peg their hopes on pills and capsules that promise to
"burn," "block," "flush," or otherwise eliminate fat from the system.
But science has yet to come up with a low-risk "magic bullet" for
weight loss. Some pills may help control the appetite, but they can
have serious side effects. (Amphetamines, for instance, are highly
addictive and can have an adverse impact on the heart and central
nervous system.) Other pills are utterly worthless.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a number of state Attorney
General have successfully brought cases against marketers of pills
claiming to absorb or burn fat. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has banned 111 ingredients once found in over-the-counter diet
products. None of these substances, which include alcohol, caffeine,
dextrose, and guar gum, have proved effective in weight-loss or
appetite suppression.
Please read this entire page; it?s a great resource for what to do,
but most importantly, what NOT to do!
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wgtloss.html
According to WebMD and most dieticians, diets don?t work. ?Diets
don't work. There are hundreds of diets that will help you lose
weight, but what good is losing weight if you gain it right back?
Eating crazy food combinations or eliminating food groups is not the
way to keep weight off. Instead, choose a nutritionally balanced plan
with enough calories to keep you from feeling famished (like the WebMD
Weight Loss Clinic eating plans).
Eating regular meals is essential. Experts agree that you should go no
longer than 4 to 5 hours between meals. Otherwise, intense hunger can
trigger a binge. Some experts believe dieters have better control if
they eat several mini-meals throughout the day. Choose the meal
pattern that works best in your lifestyle, but make sure to eat at
least three meals per day.?
http://onhealth.webmd.com/weight_loss/article.htm
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If you, like many people, need to get really motivated to start a
weight loss routine, try joining a group such as Weight Watchers or
T.O.P.S. You?ll have the support of other members who have te same
goals as you do! These groups are the least expensive way to go.
Weight Watchers
http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx
T.O.P.S.
http://www.tops.org/
People do have success on the following systems, as they can be a
springboard to learning to eat a proper diet.
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Diet Programs
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Some programs like Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are a bit more
structured, and more expensive. These programs sell their own portion
controlled foods.
Nutrisystem
http://www.nutrisystem.com/
Jenny Craig
http://www.jennycraig.com/
==============
eDiets
eDiets determines several diet plans, customized to your likes,
after you answer an interview form. Without registering myself, I
can?t tell you the costs involved (you don?t have to pay to go through
the ?interview?). The site is affiliated with Harvard University , and
offers lots of online support, in the form of forums, recipes, tips,
and your weight loss success.
http://www.ediets.com/
This site has a chart indicating the costs of the most popular diets
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/forbes/P114424.asp
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Surgery
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Gastric Bypass
?Fortunately, there is a safe and effective solution for many
people who are severely overweight: bariatric surgery. Weight loss
surgery is not a quick fix, and it?s not for everyone who is obese.
However, when combined with a life-long commitment to proper nutrition
and exercise, bariatric surgery can help you lose those excess pounds
and maintain a healthy weight, offering you a second chance at life.
The NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss, one of most highly regarded
and experienced centers of its kind, offers several types of bariatric
surgery, including the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, or
Lap-Band ? the safest, least invasive, and only reversible surgical
option now available. NYU is one of only two centers nationwide
approved to perform Lap-Band surgery for adolescents, as well as for
adults. We also provide follow-up care and perform surgical revisions
for patients whose weight-loss surgery was performed elsewhere.?
http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/aboutus/whyus/welcome.html
Illustrations of different bariatric surgeries
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/15/1986
?Morbid obesity (this term is synonymous with ?clinically severe
obesity?) is a disease of excess energy stores in the form of fat.
Morbid obesity correlates with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or
with being 100 pounds overweight. Being overweight is associated with
real physical problems which are now well recognized. The most obvious
is an increased mortality rate directly related to weight
increase.[12] In a 12 year follow-up of 336,442 men and 419,060 women,
it was found that the mortality rates for men 50% above average weight
were increased approximately two fold.
In the same weight group the mortality was increased five fold for
diabetics and four fold for those with digestive tract disease. In
women, the mortality was also increased two fold, while in female
diabetics the mortality risk increased eight fold and three fold in
those with digestive tract disease. It is clear that overweight people
of both sexes, especially young overweight people, tend to die sooner
than their lean contemporaries. [13-15] While obesity, of itself, is a
risk factor,[16] most mortality and morbidity is associated with the
co-morbid conditions. This applies to non-operated as well as
peri-operative mortality and morbidity. These conditions have been
outlined in the 1985 National Institutes of Health Consensus
Conference and include hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
hyperlipidemia, diabetes, cholelithiasis, obstructive sleep apnea,
hypoventilation, degenerative arthritis and psychosocial
impairments.[16, 17]
A Veterans Administration study of 200 morbidly obese
men aged 23 to 70 years, with an average weight of 316 lbs (143.5 kg)
showed a twelve fold increase in mortality in the 25-34 year age group
and a six fold increase in the 35-44 year age group. During the
average follow-up period of 7 ½ years, 50 of the original group had
died.[18] An interesting ongoing study in this regard is the Swedish
Obesity Study (SOS) in which 2000 patients have been randomized to
diet therapy and gastric restrictive surgery.[19] The study is still
incomplete but indicates reduction in diabetes, hypertension and lipid
disturbances in the surgically treated group.[20]?
http://www.asbs.org/html/patients/rationale.html
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Lap-Band
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- No cutting of the stomach
- No stapling of the stomach
- Calibrated pouch and stoma size
- Can be adjusted to patient's needs after surgery with no operation
to adjust the stoma
- Laparoscopic removal possible
- Fully reversible
- Short hospital stay (does not exceed 48 hours)
http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/tecmain.html
?Adjustable gastric banding is much more effective long-term than a
very low-calorie diet for people who are about 50 pounds overweight, a
study shows.
Medical guidelines support this surgical procedure -- which puts a
band around the top of stomach to create a feeling of fullness -- in
patients who are extremely obese, about 100 or more pounds over a
healthy weight, or those who are almost as overweight and have serious
medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Monash University Medical School in Melbourne,
Australia, recruited 80 patients who were on average 52 pounds over a
healthy weight. Half had the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
surgery.
The other half followed a medical program that included a variety of
strategies such as a very-low-calorie diet (500 calories a day) with
liquid meal replacements, prescription weight-loss medication and
behavioral therapies.
Findings in today's Annals of Internal Medicine:
? After six months, both the surgery patients and the low-calorie
dieters lost an average of 14% of their starting weight.
? After two years, the gastric band patients lost 22% of their
starting weight. That was about 87% of their excess weight, or roughly
45 pounds. They also showed marked improvement in their health and
quality of life.
? At the end of two years, the dieters had regained much of their lost
weight but were still 5.5% below their starting weight. They had lost
22% of their excess weight, or about 12 pounds.
Please read each site for complete information!
http://www.lapband.com/lapband/article.do?id=1
See if you qualify for lap band surgery
http://www.lapband.com/lapband/portal.do
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Diets
==============
Reportedly, the most effective diet is this one:
?The most effective diet for weight loss and cardiovascular health is
a high carbohydrate plan based on low glycaemic index (GI) foods,
especially for women, according to Australian researchers.
The world's first 12-week trial of its kind compared the relative
effects on weight loss and cardiovascular risk of low GI and
high-protein diets.
The theory behind low GI diets is that rapidly digested, high GI
carbohydrates cause fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels,
contributing to hunger and preventing the breakdown of fat.?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/nutrition/most-effective-weight-loss-diet-is-low-gi/2006/07/24/1153593258191.html
?The Glycaemic Index - How it can help you
Not all carbohydrates are equal, says Nutritionist Catherine Saxelby.
'Slow carbs' are now seen as the key to help you shed weight and
stabilise blood sugars.
In the past nutritionists recommended high fibre and whole grain foods
such as bran cereals, brown rice, potato and baked beans, to help fill
dieters up and keep blood sugar levels steady for those with diabetes.
Now a more scientific approach is gaining momentum based on how slowly
or how rapidly a carbohydrate food is digested and absorbed. Known as
the Glycaemic Index, it is not only useful for those with diabetes but
has been shown to help anyone wanting to loose weight, control heart
disease and boost their energy levels.?
http://gograins.grdc.com.au/for_consumers/glycaemic_index.htm
GI foods
http://www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/April2004GIDiet.pdf
==============
South Beach Diet
http://www.southbeachdiet.com/public/default.asp
?Both the South Beach and Atkins diets are best-selling diet books.
Only someone living in a cave hasn't, by now, heard of Agatston's The
South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for
Fast and Healthy Weight Loss.
Both South Beach and Atkins diets restrict carbohydrates -- carbs, as
diet dilettantes like to say. True, "good carbs" are allowed. But
South Beach dieters must say goodbye to potatoes, fruit, bread,
cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn for the first two weeks.
After that, most of these foods remain strongly discouraged.
Both South Beach and Atkins diets have a more severe induction phase,
followed by a long-term eating plan.?
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/15/96038.htm
==============
Atkins
http://www.atkins.com/
?Many doctors dispute whether people can lose weight without reducing
their food intake, and at least one questioned the study's accuracy.
But the diet is more compatible with conventional notions of healthful
eating than the fatty, low-carbohydrate Atkins and South Beach diets.
Participants on the recommended diet lost about 7 pounds without
cutting calories and without exercise, and almost 11 pounds with 45
minutes of stationary bike-riding four times weekly. The control group
lost no weight.
The findings appear in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine.
Gary Foster, clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania's
Weight and Eating Disorders Program, said he suspects participants who
lost weight ate less than what was reported. He said that while he
recommends a low-fat, high carb diet to patients, without calorie
reduction it would be "a public health disaster."
"The whole idea that you could lose weight without reducing energy
intake flies in the face of 100 years of data," Foster said.?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/26/health/main595998.shtml
======================
Other tips and ideas:
======================
Most effective weight loss exercises:
http://onhealth.webmd.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=61307
11 Great Ways To Get Motivated
You know you've got to get moving. You resolve to park the car a few
blocks from work, take the stairs and hit the gym after work. But a
few weeks pass and before you know it parking spots start opening up
right in front of the building, the elevator is already in the lobby,
and you've worked late every night that week. It's not that you don't
know how to get fit, you just can't seem to stay motivated. We all
know people who are religious with their workouts. So, what's their
secret??
See this site for great motivational tips. (I love Number 9-Learn to love lycra!):
http://www.foodfit.com/fitness/getMotivated.asp
?Never skip a meal, and eat healthy snacks between meals. Eating
frequently prevents hunger pangs, provides consistent energy, and
maintains metabolism efficiency.
Our bodies were designed with the survival mechanism of hoarding fat
to protect us from famine. When we skip a meal or go on a crash diet,
our bodies think they are starving and slow down our metabolism to
conserve energy. What is conserved is our fat stores; our weight loss
comes mostly from water and muscle.
Eating slowly gives our bodies time to tell us they are full before we
eat more than we need.
Unless you are excited to be following a very specific diet and
exercise plan, do not try and change too much too fast. If you have
been eating poorly and not exercising, both your body and your mind
will have a lot of adjusting to do.
All the sugar and fat were actually quite enjoyable, and sitting on
the couch didn't feel too bad, either. If you try and change
everything too quickly the odds are greater that you will feel bad,
get discouraged, and give up. So be patient.
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tips.html
?Your Goal Should Not Be to Lose Weight
The goal of your diet and weight loss plan should not be to lose
weight, but to lose body fat.
Exercise, in particular weight bearing exercise that builds muscle,
will help prevent muscle loss and keep your metabolism from slowing.
It's also necessary to eat nutritious, well-balanced meals in order to
maintain muscle and support all the bodily functions necessary for
weight loss.
But the most important factor in any weight loss plan is how many
calories you consume each day, and eating too few is the most common
mistake.
In the next group of topics, Making Calculations, you will see how
some common formulas categorize your current weight and suggest what
might be an ideal weight. You will then learn how to use the
calculators to determine your calorie requirements to maintain your
current weight. And from this figure you can calculate an appropriate
calorie deficit.?
There are many links to articles that can motivate you on this page.
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_all.html
Tip #7
Good cooking and healthy eating begins with learning about nutrition
and how to prepare healthy recipes.
Tip #8
Plan the week's family menus in advance and just purchase those
ingredients at a once weekly shopping trip.
Tip #9
Be positive! The more you feel good about yourself the easier and
faster it is to lose weight.
Tip #10
Learn how to make over family favourite recipes by cutting out fats,
salt and sugar. Substitute non fat yoghurt for cream, stir fry minus
oil and use herbs and spices instead of salt for flavour.
Tip #19
Find a weight loss "buddy," club, or support group. This will help you
stay with your weight loss program.
Tip #20
Though difficult, try not eating 3 hours or more before bed time.
http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/weight_loss_tips/
?Gum chewing may be just what the dentist ordered. Chewing on a
piece of sugarless gum can help cleanse the mouth of bacteria, satisfy
a sweet tooth, and reduce the urge to eat. Keep a pack of sugarless
gum handy. The next time you have the urge to reach into the cookie
jar, try a piece of gum instead for a zero-calorie treat.
Heart-healthy foods should fill your pantry, refrigerator, and
freezer. Choose foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. Enjoy
plenty of naturally fat-free, low-sodium fruits and vegetables. Choose
healthy fats such as canola, olive, and vegetable oils. Eat foods rich
in omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts, flaxseed, and salmon and other
fatty fish. Choose low- and non-fat dairy products, as well as the
leanest cuts of meat (round and loin) and skinless poultry. Beans,
nuts, and whole grains round out the list of heart-healthy foods.?
http://onhealth.webmd.com/weight_loss/article.htm
=======================
Additional Information:
These articles may be of interest to you:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/wgtloss.pdf
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/choosing.htm
I hope this has helped you out. If anything is unclear, please request
an Answer Clarification, and allow me to respond, before you rate the
answer.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
Search Terms
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Most effective + weight loss diets
Proven effective diets
Weight loss plans + safe + effective
bariatric surgery |
