And ladies, listen up: Women were the most likely to quit the program early.
“These are women who've often struggled with their weight for years,” says Daniel Birch, MD, co-director of the Royal Alexandra Hospital's “Weight Wise” program and the study's lead author. “They really do want to improve their health, but they give up before they can.”
He says there are several factors at play. “Losing weight is about more than a simple physical process,” Dr. Birch says, adding that depression, stress or even underlying medical problems can hamper efforts.
So where does it leave those of us with a lot to lose, or even just a little? “The number one lesson for anyone is to manage your expectations,” says Dr. Birch. “People are after this dramatic, rapid weight drop—usually, that just isn't going to happen.” Your best bet, says Dr. Birch, is that in addition to making your goals realistic, surround yourself with a supportive team—including your doctor, a nutritionist, and maybe even a psychologist.
“I wish we had an easy fix,” he says. “But to reach a healthy weight, the investment of time is well worth it.”
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with The End Of Dieting.
