This article represents the views of its writer, and GrownUps does not endorse the content of this article or any product or service mentioned in it. Please seek advice from a professional in relation to your own circumstances.
Read more from Dr Hassan here.
If you are reading this you may have been overweight or obese for a long time. You have probably tried many different diets and plans for weight loss and had only partial, short lived or no success.
Well, in this article I am not going to give you a recipe of prescription, but try to ignite a few synapses. Hopefully, it will reinvigorate you to start thinking of weight loss as a problem with many potential solutions, of which one will suit you perfectly.
The hardest thing about weight loss is behaviour change.
Your body wants to keep doing what it is doing now; it likes sleeping in, it finds stewed plums with custard tasty, it prefers milky coffee.
Your goal is to trick, scare or educate your body enough to result in a long term behavioral change. I have tried and failed instituting many new lifestyle behaviors. I could not convince my wife to go vegetarian, I got sick of having red kidney beans every lunch (not to mention the gas issue) and I did not hear the alarm under the pillow.
However, not all of my plans have failed.
In the last year I have solved my fluid problem.
As many are aware, Coke is bad for you (contains 10 teaspoons of sugar), but so is fruit juice (8 teaspoons also), watery juice, milk drinks and smoothies. Diet fizzies contain aspartame, which is controversial. Sugary drinks, over and above other foods, are strongly associated with obesity. This may be because liquids generally sneak in your tummy without feeling like food.
So water is the answer right?
Well sort of but water is sooo boring. It is hard to get excited about 1 let alone 8 cups per day. Even my wife has to tart hers up with some sliced fruit and cordial. But fizzy water- hallelujah. A couple of squeezes on the soda stream (till it farts) and my taste buds are ticked enough to enjoy the experience.
So having sparkling water is one positive behavior change that I have achieved long term, and a new idea for you.
Another thing I want you to think of for weight loss is a really good commitment device.
A commitment device is like setting a goal with added spice- you lock in that goal by combining it with another motivator. It may be money- set aside some for a holiday if you get to your desired weight, or post a cheque to a desired charity if you do not. It could be the threat of embarrassment or the thrill of adulation like on the biggest loser. It may be booking in your gym sessions with a personal trainer that you do not want to upset.
Your commitment device needs to be well publicized – write down your goal, post it on line and tell people. A thought left in the head is fleeting and easily forgotten.
Achieving sustained weight loss over a long period can be hard. However, even the journey is worth it for your body; the benefits of a healthy diet and more exercise on your heart, mind and overall wellbeing occur regardless of how much weight you lose. So come up with a plan that works for you!
- 10 years ago
I recommend Paleo. I was 89.5 1st Oct 2013. By dec is had lost 9kg. Went to Aus for Xmas/New year, only put on 500gr as I kept to my new ways of eating( xcept for a few extras over the fortnight. Im now 76.5. My doctor is very happy and doesnt want me to lose any more so that I have something behind me should I get sick. Im 73, very healthy very active for my age and clean 3 houses a week!!! Im working on maintaining this weight and trying little extras from time to time-if I go up I know I cant have it again. I just told myself it was a new eating habit and Ive never looked back. I will stay on it for always (I hope) My biggest “miss” was bread -I craved for it 4 3 months. if I can do it anyone can as Ive been on every diet under the sun. GO FOR IT!!!!