Living a Healthy Lifestyle is Most Favorable
By: Tanya Jolliffe,
DailySpark Blogger
8/5/2010 11:55 AM
: 56 comments
: 13,739 Views
When a Health News headline popped up recently on SparkPeople.com, it caught our attention. Survey results reported last month indicate Australian researchers confirmed what we already believed. People desire help to change their lifestyle instead of programs that label and stigmatize or dieting quick fixes that break their bank.
A report published in the July issue of BMC Health summarized the views of 142 obese Australians related to weight intervention approaches. Here is what was discovered.
Researchers phoned Australian citizens that fit into a set weight category. Respondents were asked their feelings regarding six intervention approaches currently used to assist those dealing with obesity in Australia. The results revealed people liked programs focused on healthy changes that encouraged improving overall lifestyle instead of those solely focused on weight loss. They were not as interested in invasive, higher risk options such as gastric surgery or those that were stigmatizing such as targeted media campaigns. Interviewees were equally uninterested in commercial programs focused strictly on weight loss. There was also a high degree of skepticism related to the dieting industry. The biggest take home from the study was the reinforcement of what I found to be true when I started working as a dietitian years ago. People want personalized plans, support, and programs that empower them for long-term success.
Weight loss is one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Weight gain is a symptom of something, whether it is disease, habits, or behaviors. If people only focus on the symptom and bypass the cause, they increase the likelihood they will repeatedly deal with the issue again and again. As this study reveals and many people can confirm, understanding how to deal with the issues that led to weight gain is the key to success. As Dr. Phil likes to say, "You can't change what you don't acknowledge." Today is the day to acknowledge that the puzzle has many pieces of which weight is one. When you start to focus on all the pieces in the puzzle more than you focus on just one piece, the picture becomes much more obvious.
Do you agree with the Australians in this study that a healthy lifestyle approach is more desirable than dieting programs, stigmatizing campaigns or surgery? If you could create an ideal plan to help you succeed, what would it be?
A report published in the July issue of BMC Health summarized the views of 142 obese Australians related to weight intervention approaches. Here is what was discovered.
Researchers phoned Australian citizens that fit into a set weight category. Respondents were asked their feelings regarding six intervention approaches currently used to assist those dealing with obesity in Australia. The results revealed people liked programs focused on healthy changes that encouraged improving overall lifestyle instead of those solely focused on weight loss. They were not as interested in invasive, higher risk options such as gastric surgery or those that were stigmatizing such as targeted media campaigns. Interviewees were equally uninterested in commercial programs focused strictly on weight loss. There was also a high degree of skepticism related to the dieting industry. The biggest take home from the study was the reinforcement of what I found to be true when I started working as a dietitian years ago. People want personalized plans, support, and programs that empower them for long-term success.
Weight loss is one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Weight gain is a symptom of something, whether it is disease, habits, or behaviors. If people only focus on the symptom and bypass the cause, they increase the likelihood they will repeatedly deal with the issue again and again. As this study reveals and many people can confirm, understanding how to deal with the issues that led to weight gain is the key to success. As Dr. Phil likes to say, "You can't change what you don't acknowledge." Today is the day to acknowledge that the puzzle has many pieces of which weight is one. When you start to focus on all the pieces in the puzzle more than you focus on just one piece, the picture becomes much more obvious.
Do you agree with the Australians in this study that a healthy lifestyle approach is more desirable than dieting programs, stigmatizing campaigns or surgery? If you could create an ideal plan to help you succeed, what would it be?
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Comments
Until I figured out that I was using my layer of fat as a protective armour and decided I didn't need that physical "fat armour" to protect myself anymore, I wasn't able to move on. Once I came to terms with that and was able to leave it behind, it was time to set my goal and my "strategy".
I decided I'd like to be between 115 - 120 lbs - that would put me in a healthy weight range for my height & build, and at a healthy BMI. Then I looked at my lifestyle, joined a gym, signed up for Bootcamps with a fantastic training team and went to a well-respected Registered Nutritionist to revamp my eating habits. I made a Vision Board and put it where I would see it every day.
I reached my goal weight range and am maintaining it thanks to sticking to my new, healthy lifestyle. Exercise is now a part of my daily life - and my dog is also reaping the benefits! And, I now have a cache of quick, easy & healthy recipes and enjoy cooking for myself and my kids - so we're all reaping the benefits of a healthy new relationship with nutritious foods. And, as my Nutritionist says: "Remember the 80/20 rule. Make the healthiest food choices at least 80% of the time. Eat the things you miss/crave 20% of the time or less. And, when you DO choose to have that cupcake, french fries or whatever - eat them slowly, mindfully, consciously and really savour each and every bite. If you really savoured & thoroughly enjoyed that milkshake or whatever, then don't feel guilty about it. It's not like you have those types of things every day or even every week anymore. It's all about the 80/20 Rule and enjoying what you eat." I've been living by the 80/20 Rule (for me it's actually been more of the 90/10 Rule) for some time now - with great success.
The less often I indulge myself, the less I crave the foods that made me overweight. Every day I enjoy my fresh, nutritious foods more and more. And a day without some sort of physical activity is like a day without sunshine. It's all about creating a healthy, new lifestyle! - 9/10/2010 2:20:35 PM
- 8/13/2010 12:28:47 PM
At age 61+, I cope as best I can with fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, mood disorders. I am on meds which help enormously, but which come with difficult side effects, especially weight gain. I am sick and tired of people 'questioning' me and offering 'advice'. I need support and tools: the spark points system helps me enormously. I don't need a trainer half my age with no health issues to question and nag and cajole. I am doing the best I can! Case in point: I was on Medicine A for 3+ years; I gained 20 pounds almost immediately. I was hungry all the time. I exercised daily and was getting fatter by the minute. This medicine is no longer available; my family doctor switched me to Medicine B. Almost overnight, many of the side-effects stopped. I'm not hungry all the time. I am getting thinner by the second. Where are all the advice givers now? Not cheering me on from the side-lines....alas. Thank you, Spark People, for providing a safe place and soft landing for me. In my two weeks at this site, I have already started to put some healthier lifestyle tools in place. - 8/8/2010 2:32:16 PM
I have used food all my life for comfort, to reduce stress, to relieve bordom etc. Why not "use" food to feel great! Eating healthy and exercising is the simple answer. - 8/7/2010 4:02:28 PM
I am currently doun that lifestyle change, thanks, among other ti¿hings, to SP. - 8/6/2010 3:21:38 PM
People are beginning to realize that there are also various ways to work out other health issues --instead of the simple and quick method of throwing multiple prescriptions at the symptoms. Or surgery as the first option. - 8/6/2010 1:54:38 PM
It wouldn't help me to get what I want if I crash dieted or whatever but still couldn't do stuff without getting tired and out of breath. Or didn't feel full of energy. Or had some kind of nutritional deficiency.
I also don't want to go through life with an unhealthy relationship with food. I want to be the person who eats well most of the time, exercises well, and can have a piece of chocolate or cake without eating a bucketload of it, or feeling guilty or whatever. I don't see how surgery or 'diets' would help me to learn moderation. - 8/6/2010 10:01:20 AM
When I discovered Spark, I was 6 months to retirement and I started the change with enthusiasm. I got up earlier and exercised - packed my lunch and stepped away from the computer to eat it (at a table with friends and conversation), left work at a reasonable time (before I was staring dully at the "to do" list), got home with enough energy to fix something healthy for dinner.....etc.
Now, I exercise, walk in the mountains, cut my own firewood, take care of my home wildlife habitat, clean and fix the home that I neglected for years, and generally enjoy every minute of my new lifestyle...all thanks to the awakening I got from Spark.
The only problem is that when I lunch with friends, I can't participate in the "what's happening to who on the soaps?" conversations. Small price to pay!
Thank you Spark and thank you Sparkers!!
- 8/6/2010 9:50:11 AM
that is why the word die is in diet,
it dies or stops after awhile
i want lifelong success - 8/5/2010 5:24:36 PM
- 8/5/2010 2:47:00 PM
Also, I would much prefer help with changing my lifestyle than a quick fix that breaks my bank anyday! I'm cheap! lol - 8/5/2010 2:12:53 PM
- 8/5/2010 12:48:28 PM
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