Daily Weigh-Ins and Green Gum
"Not everything that can be counted counts
and not everything that counts can be counted ."
~ Albert Einstein
A study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine tells us how to keep weight off: Weigh ourselves daily. Then make the following adjustments.
If we start to regain, have someone tell us about weight gain prevention techniques that focus on “adjusting” eating and exercise behaviors, and then advise us to “re-start active weight loss efforts” with calorie and fat gram counting or maybe a liquid meal replacement product.
At check-ins, if we are within three pounds of our successful weight loss goal (the “green zone”), have someone give us something green, like green gum. (“You go girl, here’s your green gum!”).
According to the study, the "daily-weigh-in-and-get-told-what-you-should-do-and-get-green-gum" group averaged an overall regain of only five pounds less than the control group. Five pounds! Is that how we want to live? Constant daily monitoring and weigh-ins, and tedious nutrition and exercise advice. For a return of five measly pounds? Hmmm.
The study also concluded that individuals in the "daily-weigh-in-and-get-told-what-you-should-do-and-get-green-gum" group were 82% more likely to keep the weight off, compared to the control group. What is noteworthy is that the "green gum groups" met regularly, either in person or online. The control group, in contrast, simply got a quarterly newsletter telling them what to do (and no green gum!). Hmmm.
So, was it really the constant monitoring, weigh-ins and tedious nutrition and exercise advice that kept the weight off? Or, could it have been the nourishing connections the participants formed at the group meetings? Could it have been that these supportive relationships bolstered participants’ efforts to care for and appreciate themselves? What do you think?
Do we benefit most from constant monitoring? Or nourishing relationships?
And, please, make sure you read weight loss studies and articles with a grain of salt (with or without green gum).
About Eating Wisdom and Drs Karin and Hannah
We are two PhD level Registered and Licensed Nutritionists whose passion is to help others escape diet culture and to learn to use their natural, innate Eating Wisdom to, finally, find peace with food, eating and weight.
Check out our course, Intuitive Eating: How to Escape Diet Culture and Become an Empowered Eater,. plus we have lots of info and handouts (including the original Hunger Fullness Scale) at our website, www.EatingWisdom.com. We also offer 1:1 nutrition therapy. Take advantage of our combined 40+ years of experience and reach out today!
© 2012 Karin Kratina, PhD, RD, LDN and Amy Tuttle, RD, LCSW