Another look at successful losers...weight losers!

A recent review reminds us of what those who lose weight and keep it off have in common.  The information is from the National Weight Control Registry, now with over 10,000 enrolled.  I first blogged about this April 25, 2011 and you can find out the latest at http://www.nwcr.ws/default.htm.  


This is "the largest prospective investigation of long-term successful weight loss maintenance" according to the website.  It is not a weight loss program, but examines the behavior, characteristics and strategies of those who have successfully lost and kept the weight off.


What can we learn?




Those who have successfully lost weight and are maintaining:

• decreased caloric intake (98% report a dietary change)
• maintain a daily routine (78% report eating breakfast)
• self monitor food intake and weight (75% weigh at least weekly)
• decreased TV watching (62% report <10 hours per week)
• regularly exercise (90% report about 1 hour each day)

Not easy, but this is how many of those who are successful at losing and maintaining the weight loss do it.  

We have seen how important maintaining or getting to the lean weight is in breast cancer.  For every pound gained after the age of 50, a woman gains 1% increased risk, BUT, even more important, for every one pound lost and kept off after 50, a woman gets twice the benefit or 2% fewer breast cancers.  10 pounds lost equals 20% less breast cancer risk!  See 

DrWinsett.com: BREAST CANCER AND WEIGHT

Together we can prevent 75,000 breast cancer cases each year!