Discouraged by weight loss study

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Replies

  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    fastforlife1 wrote: »
    "Research has shown that ≈20% of overweight individuals are successful at long-term weight loss when defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight and maintaining the loss for at least 1 y. The National Weight Control Registry provides information about the strategies used by successful weight loss maintainers to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss. National Weight Control Registry members have lost an average of 33 kg and maintained the loss for more than 5 y. To maintain their weight loss, members report engaging in high levels of physical activity (≈1 h/d), eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends. Moreover, weight loss maintenance may get easier over time; after individuals have successfully maintained their weight loss for 2–5 y, the chance of longer-term success greatly increases."
    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/222S.long

    Well, I lost 22% of my BW and have maintained within a 2 lb range from my lowest (so a 1 lb swing either way from my target maintenance weight) for 5 months. I refuse to think that it is inevitable that I will regain... if I do, it will not be because it was inevitable, it will be because I stopped paying attention or caring.

    Or, maybe because you got injured or sick or pregnant. I wonder if those eventualities were accounted for in the study
    Which sickness or injury prevents one from adjusting their caloric intake if their weight is going in a direction they don't want it to?
  • losingitseattle
    losingitseattle Posts: 90 Member
    I think you need to focus on some new statistics. The National Weight Control Registry tracks habits and data from people who lost weight and have kept it off over 5 years. Be one of their statistics! It can be done.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/222S.long
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    LiftAllThePizzas wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    fastforlife1 wrote: »
    "Research has shown that ≈20% of overweight individuals are successful at long-term weight loss when defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight and maintaining the loss for at least 1 y. The National Weight Control Registry provides information about the strategies used by successful weight loss maintainers to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss. National Weight Control Registry members have lost an average of 33 kg and maintained the loss for more than 5 y. To maintain their weight loss, members report engaging in high levels of physical activity (≈1 h/d), eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends. Moreover, weight loss maintenance may get easier over time; after individuals have successfully maintained their weight loss for 2–5 y, the chance of longer-term success greatly increases."
    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/222S.long

    Well, I lost 22% of my BW and have maintained within a 2 lb range from my lowest (so a 1 lb swing either way from my target maintenance weight) for 5 months. I refuse to think that it is inevitable that I will regain... if I do, it will not be because it was inevitable, it will be because I stopped paying attention or caring.

    Or, maybe because you got injured or sick or pregnant. I wonder if those eventualities were accounted for in the study
    Which sickness or injury prevents one from adjusting their caloric intake if their weight is going in a direction they don't want it to?

    Obviously the immediate mechanism is always CICO. It is always about eating too much.

    Practically speaking, many illnesses and injuries are accompanied by depression, which obviously can affect motivation.

    Few people are excellent at predicting their future behaviour, and we often surprise ourselves by our responses to surprises like that.

    I hope everyone loses weight and keeps it off indefinitely, but you just never know. Certainly it's easy enough to get back on track if you do get thrown, once you know what to do
  • RaspberryTickleChicken
    RaspberryTickleChicken Posts: 629 Member
    edited July 2015
    bsctov wrote: »
    I just read the scientific study (reported by most major news outlets) that says it's next to impossible for people who are overweight to maintain their weight loss long term, this has really dashed my hopes of looking good again..
    bsctov wrote: »
    I just read the scientific study (reported by most major news outlets) that says it's next to impossible for people who are overweight to maintain their weight loss long term, this has really dashed my hopes of looking good again..

    First of all this is the maint forum. If you are just starting try GETTING STARTED seciton.

    Having that said, to have your 'hopes' dashed by one study seems like you're just not quite mentally ready to get healthy. From my years in R&D I've learned that for every one study to prove X is true I can find at least # studies to counter. It's just folly to take the results of one study as gospel.

    There are over 10,000 registered members with the National Weight Control Registry which contradicts whatever article OP is referencing. The criteria to register is:
    "The registry is composed of approximately 80% women. The “average” female participant is 45 years old and currently 145 pounds while the average man is 49 years old and 190 pounds. On average, registry members have lost about 70 pounds and kept it off for five and a half years when joining the registry. However, within the study there is great variation in age, weight loss speed and duration, and amount of weight lost."
    SOURCE

    SO obviously long term maint does in fact happen, continue to happen, and is entirely based on the individual. Perhaps instead of using one study as a deterrent maybe Google studies that's supportive & helpful. Ck out this one from long term maintainers: HERE

    Best of luck to you!
  • momar23
    momar23 Posts: 292 Member
    Perhaps you should read this take on the "study" http://www.weightymatters.ca/2015/07/new-obesity-study-from-annals-of.html
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    bsctov wrote: »
    I just read the scientific study (reported by most major news outlets) that says it's next to impossible for people who are overweight to maintain their weight loss long term, this has really dashed my hopes of looking good again..

    That's hardly news. This has been proved by statistics many times. But that doesn't mean you can't be one of those that beats the odds. Or that when you start to regain you can't nip it in the bud quickly.

    I'm 51 yo and was never overweight until the past 10 years or so. I've always gained and lost, gained and lost, in order to keep from becoming overweight. My weight has never been steady. I'm still very frustrated with myself for letting it get so out of hand this time, but determined to not let it happen again. I don't even kid myself that I'll need diet again in the future. But it will be to take off 5-10 lbs, not 25-30.
  • WRLemmon
    WRLemmon Posts: 49 Member
    The real issue here is what you are doing, Going on a diet is a sure fire way to loose weight and then put it back on again. You have to be ready for a life style change, not a fad diet or some program that gives you special foods. I also recommend not trying all this on your own. There are professionals out there that can guide you much better. I tried for years to loose weight, would loose around 25 pounds then gain 30. Seemed I was gaining more weight trying to loose it than not trying to loose it. Then with the assistance of a Dietitian that listened to what I was saying, I embarked on a new life change way of eating and changed what I was eating. Same with exercise, Was going to the gym, but feeling tired and sore later, talked with a personnel trainer that understood my goal was to loose weight not bulk up, changed what and how I did my exercise. As a result over the last two years I have lost a total of 96 pounds and 10 inches off my waist. Now that I've almost reached my weight, I'm going back to the professionals to establish a new set of rules to keep me where I am. Is it easy , simple answer no. You have to want to change, and except that you can not do as before this is how it is going to be and except this. This is why so many fail, they are not ready for the long term commitment that it takes.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,706 Member
    bsctov wrote: »
    I just read the scientific study (reported by most major news outlets) that says it's next to impossible for people who are overweight to maintain their weight loss long term, this has really dashed my hopes of looking good again..

    Why would you be discouraged ? " Next to impossible " is based on statistics ( which maybe, or may not be 100% correct.....usually they are not ). " Next to impossible " also means that most people will regain their weight, but not all. You just need to adjust your outlook and decide that you belong to the 7% ( according to statistics ) who do maintain their weight loss and not feed a fatalistic outlook that sets you up for failure.
    Good Luck !

  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    Cave_Goose wrote: »
    Be a statistic, or be your own person. Studies don't determine my success or failure--I do.

    THIS!!! 10,000,000 % THIS! What does it matter if very few people have ever managed to keep the weight off? What does that have to do with you? You get to choose what/how much you eat and what kind/how much of physical activity you do. Other's people's lives do not have to effect your choices.

    It doesn't mean that it isn't going to take effort on your part to maintain your weight loss. It absolutely will. But if you are willing to put in that effort… it does not matter if not one single solitary soul in the history of humanity has been able to do it…. YOU WILL! Prove them all wrong! It's articles like that that got me to start losing weight in the first place. They are ridiculous and have so much WRONG information… but so many people believe them as gospel truth. So, I decided I was going to lose weight and do it my way just to prove people wrong! There will always be people who are gonna believe in that crap… but 175 pounds later… nobody can look at me now and tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about.
  • k80flec
    k80flec Posts: 1,623 Member
    edited July 2015
    redkitten25 wrote: »

    The daily mail speak absolute crap all the time - really . If it says anything in this paper just assume the other side of the story is right and you will be right 99% of the time. The other 1% of the time they have messed up and actually printed the truth by mistake

    ^^^^^ this - so true!!


    Also my GP quoted something similar to this article about 2 years ago. Stubbornly, I refused to conform and have maintained within a +5lb margin by being mindful of what I eat (range and variety), weighing what I eat, logging what I eat, oh . . . . and weighing me, regularly, for the same 2 years. I also use my Fitbit to try and make sure that I move enough, and MFP for support, ideas and motivation!

    Edited to get quote right!
  • drzoltar
    drzoltar Posts: 20 Member
    momar23 wrote: »
    Perhaps you should read this take on the "study" http://www.weightymatters.ca/2015/07/new-obesity-study-from-annals-of.html

    Yes, this! According to the study, I'd be considered a failure. My BMI is 25.5 and I still need to lose about 10 lbs. The study would completely dismiss my 70 lb weight loss that I've kept off for almost 3 years. And even though I wear medium shirts and a size 32" waist pants, they'd still consider me fat.

    Don't give up. It's still possible to lose weight. And so what if you don't get to your doctor's "ideal" weight. 175 from 227 is still damn impressive. Even losing 10-15 lbs you'll notice a difference.
  • Cmaizy
    Cmaizy Posts: 1 Member
    Check out the National Weight Control Registry, a group of researchers who have collected stories of people who kept their lost weight off for a year or more. nwcr.ws/Research/default.htm
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    momar23 wrote: »
    Perhaps you should read this take on the "study" http://www.weightymatters.ca/2015/07/new-obesity-study-from-annals-of.html

    Nice link. Certainly applies to me. My weight goal is only a few pounds into the "Normal" BMI range, and I've dipped into and out of that range several times.

    According to the study I've failed. But did I fail because I only maintained a 45 pound loss instead of a 55 pound loss? Seems beyond ridiculous to me.
  • keana55
    keana55 Posts: 49 Member
    Lost 86 pounds and maintaining by accurately logging. I truly beleive in these simple formulas:

    CI<CO Lose weight
    CI=CO Maintain weight
    CI>CO Gain weight

  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
    I lost my weight 50 lbs 5 yrs ago, I have went up 10 lbs and 15 lbs and lost it again. It is so easy to relax and as soon as I do and quit weighing I gain weight. I think it is just like drinking, gambling, shopping too much. I will always want to eat too much, it is my thing but I agree it is a Math thing so I know it is easy but it is not easy, you have to be cautious all the time. A lot of work but worth it.
  • pzyxian
    pzyxian Posts: 22 Member
    sounds like a scam
  • cootason
    cootason Posts: 59 Member
    Don't be discouraged by bs studies that really kill motivation, I have read viewed a lot of those crappy studies and yet it has got me a few times while going through this journey to health keep learning new foods and you'll find some foods you'll love so much you wont miss the old habits.

    I still go out to restaurants and have good food even the side of chips offered I will have a small amount of the desert on offer in my case I changed what I eat for breakfast to allow me to have some things I like but I am still going where I want to with this its not easy but sometimes you just gotta stick with what works for you.

    Many times I posted how I screw up while doing keto and woke next morning to find I was still lighter the next day I don't know the perfect solution but I know if you love what you have worked hard for that should drive you to keep it that way if not maybe you desire even more for yourself never give up, find a new challenge :)
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    bsctov wrote: »
    I just read the scientific study (reported by most major news outlets) that says it's next to impossible for people who are overweight to maintain their weight loss long term, this has really dashed my hopes of looking good again..

    The problem is that they are putting all methods of weight loss into the same category. I've followed the MFP way for over 1200 days and have not put weight back on because, as many have suggested, it's about a lifestyle change. I don't even count calories nowadays but I do think about how much I'm eating and make sure I train regularly or participate in sports (which are now my entertainment rather than something to endure).
  • unrelentingminx
    unrelentingminx Posts: 231 Member
    redkitten25 wrote: »
    This one? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3164042/Majority-people-pile-pounds-never-lose-them.html

    It's an article about obesity in the Daily Mail - that should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the data and the conclusions they've drawn.
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