Thread: Losing weight vs Improving Health Status

According to Medical News Today:

Dieting and other weight-loss efforts may unintentionally lead to weight gain and diminished health status, according to two researchers, a UC Davis nutritionist and an NHS dietitian. Rather than focusing on weight loss, the researchers recommend that people focus on improving their health status.

I absolutely agree with this research because I too have been yoyo dieting. I couldn't keep my weight loss and gain it back after a year or two which is not healthy and could be potentially dangerous. I was only able to maintain it when finally I decided to avoid unhealthy foods and continue to eat healthy and exercise everyday because I want to stay healthy. It's when I realized that if you want to stay healthy, you also alter your lifestyle and it leads to successful and healthy weight loss. What do you guys think? Do you believe in this latest research?

I think most of the dieters want to lose weight because skinny is beautiful so oftentimes they pressure themselves and set some unrealistic goals. They skip meals, cut down on calories a lot, and do whatever it takes to lose weight. What happens is they do lose weight but it's not healthy and most of the time they gain it all back. I think most of us do that too. If being healthy is the reason why you want to lose some weight, I belive the chances of keeping it is bigger.

You're right kathy! I notice that I lose weight when I make the sacrifice not to eat too much sweets, fatty, and junk foods because I want to be skinny. But when I get depressed I indulge on foods that I really love like pizza, ice cream, and cakes. That was before though because now I don't crave for it that much anymore

Oh it's definitely wanting to be healthy for me because my dad died of stroke, my mom has a heart condition, and my grandma was diabetic. If I don't change my lifestyle I will surely be ill and I don't want that. So I am taking control now to a healthier lifestyle. I don't drink nor smoke so I only need to make sure that I eat healthy.

@dazzler. Congratulations! I think its so admirable for you to be so determined to be healthy. I also believe that healthy > skinny. I notice that when i try to diet ie. starve myself, without certain foods, i get a negative effect because my mind becomes OBSESSED with that item that when i have it, i OVEREAT them. i try to keep a routine of healthy eating so that i am never starved. when i am hungry, my brain and self control shuts down and i chow down!

@dreamella: Thanks! I am very much determined to be healthy and stay fit at the same time so I am eating healthy. Although I have to say that I have been cheating as well because we have to admit it's never too easy to stay away from foods we have grown to love. I just remind myself all the time of the benefits I will earn from keeping healthy. I have been eating oatmeal or wheat bread for breakfast and eat more fruits during the day.