The Real Secret to Permanent Weight Loss

Oh, I’ve got some juicy stuff for you to read today and I am so excited to share it with you!

I know you can read all you want in books, blogs, internet searches and the argument will be debated on what is the best way to lose weight.  Is it Interval training, weight lifting, circuit training, Intensity, diet, protein, good carbs vs. bad carbs?  No, Lifestyle is the key…need to control your stress, get your sleep eat nutrient rich foods; keep toxins out of the body, etc.

And on and on and on the debate continues.

But what is the single most important factor in one’s fitness success, the absolute pre-requisite that makes or breaks you over the long run?

It’s not about getting the latest and greatest product, eating organically, seeing a specialist or getting major surgery.  None of what I have mentioned so far is THE difference that makes the difference.

There is something else that must come first to make fitness, lifestyle changes, and weight loss programs work.

Recent studies have shown glimpses as they stretch the study timeframe from 6 months, to a year, and the latest, a two year study.

We inherently know from our own experiences, others’ experiences and studies that most people regain the weight they lose from dieting, but an interesting distinction has been made in the Harvard Study published in February 26th edition of the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year.

In this large (811 subjects) two-year trial, subjects were assigned to diets with different ratios of protein, carbs, and fat, and were given reinforcement through group and individual counseling sessions.

Interestingly enough, ALL 4 groups lost weight!  The results were an average of 6 kilos after 6 months, and only 4 kilos at the end of the study.

Researchers stated, “Reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasized.”

All groups were assigned carbohydrate-rich foods with a low glycemic index.  Each participant’s caloric prescription represented a deficit of 750 Kcal per day from their personal baseline.

This study showed that all diets were equally successful, “with no significant differences among the diet groups.”

Wow!  All that confusion over what to do - low carb, high carbs…so it’s not macronutrient ratios or composition of the diet program that’s most important after all?  In the big picture scheme of things, that certainly appears to be the case.

Also what I have gathered is with all the various training programs suggested to be THE ONE, almost any decent workout can work to some degree, but over an extended period, the average results aren’t all that great, regardless of the training approach.

Even big losers become bigger regainers.  Only a small handful of people are truly successful for life.

So what does matter?  What is the secret of that handful of people that do reach lasting success?

In the NEJM study, one factor was VERY strongly associated with success:  Attendance to group counseling sessions.  In fact, the researchers considered this a proxy for commitment to achieving weight loss goals and staying engaged in the program.

What is this, in a nutshell?  ACCOUNTABILITY! (or Group Support in this particular study.)

Those that have read my newsletters over the years know how I have advocated some type of accountability as a must when engaging in any program that revolves around making changes to improve your health and make a lasting difference in your body.

Too many factors in life come up and no matter how much willpower we may have at a subconscious level, we will go back to what we know.  This is where accountability is needed - to help us see what we cannot see within us - to help us make long lasting changes that enhance our well-being.

I have to share that it is rather refreshing to have a long (time-frame) study in a reputable journal give us scientific proof that it is not only exercise and nutrition that is needed.  The statement NEJM research paper shared was:

“These findings together point to behavioral factors rather than macronutrient
metabolism as the main influences on weight loss.”

Julie (a past client) shares:  “It has been a process to lose 81 pounds and it took time but when I did, it all came together!” For Julie it wasn’t only the physical exercise and nutrition but the mental, emotional and spiritual awareness that was needed and applied.

YIPPEE for Julie and all who have made the behavior changes needed to reach and sustain their goals!  (And while I’m at it, I want to give a personal ‘shout out’ to Wendy whom I worked with 4 years ago, who is running her first marathon in September.  “You go girl!”)

This study and sharing about Julie and Wendy, demonstrate that “accountability” and “behavioral factors” are singled out as more important to your long term success than any particular diet program.  IN other words, it’s not what diet you follow, it’s what makes you follow your diet!

I would say this absolutely true with exercise as well.

So my thoughts go as to how can I be as supportive as I possibly can for all of you to help you reach your personal goals and help you be accountable to yourself!

I believe once you have someone to be accountable to and that person can assist you to learn and feel self empowerment, you are then set up for making true lasting changes.

You then have been able to develop your “Mental Game” that sets you up for success time after time.  Just ask Julie, Kristine, Wendy, Jennifer, Dr. Montzka, Melanie and many more who have learned the true essence of the “mental game” as well as the physical.

So this has brought me to how to best help each of you achieve the “mental game,” the mindset needed. I will be using my blog to reach out to you.  I will be posting on a regular basis my own journey of weight loss (number 4 child has done a number on my efforts to lose weight and I can truly understand the frustration of hard work and no-to-slow results) as well as a chance for you to share yours.  But most of all, I want to hear your stories and be there for you to hold your hand.  My hope is that we can build a community where we can all encourage each other to make the best choices for ourselves and keep each other accountable

My blog is: at www.aimforfitness.com/blog.  Take this time right now to sign up and receive encouraging words to help you get through your tough spots - and share your successes as well!!

If you’ve ever had a hard time making long term changes in your behaviors, if you’ve ever gone on a diet only to fall right back into your old patterns in just months or weeks, if you’ve ever had difficulty breaking bad habits, join this blog because it is for YOU!

If you know in your heart that you need one-on-one support, call 218-846-1525 to set up an appointment, or go to http://www.aimforfitness.com/form_free_consult.htm.

To making a difference in your OWN life and body first,

Amy