I think I’ve made my position clear before – losing weight sucks. The process in general sucks, the mental gymnastics suck, the frustration sucks. Probably what sucks the most are the people constantly on your back about weight loss. Particularly since they’re largely full of shit and just trying to make you feel bad.
So about them being full of shit: Myths of Weight Loss Are Plentiful, Researcher Says
Now, he is trying to set the record straight. In an article published online today in The New England Journal of Medicine, he and his colleagues lay out seven myths and six unsubstantiated presumptions about obesity. They also list nine facts that, unfortunately, promise little in the way of quick fixes for the weight-obsessed. Example: “Trying to go on a diet or recommending that someone go on a diet does not generally work well in the long term.”
This article isn’t so much there to tell you what bits of weight loss canon are bullshit – though there’s a handy-dandy quick list at the bottom of it you should really read – but to point out what a shambles research into weight loss seems to be. And it should highlight that if anyone tells you they have all the answers, they are probably full of it, or outright lying to you.
At this point I’ve managed to lose the magical 25% of my starting bodyweight. It actually makes me feel a lot better to know that it’s not unusual at all that I’ve plateaued. Sometimes the truth isn’t what we’d like (sure, I’d love it if riding my bike literally melted fat, but how about I just ride my bike because it’s fun) but it’s better than beating ourselves up over a misconception or a lie.
Beating yourself up at all doesn’t accomplish anything. There’s plenty to fight out there, and none of it should be you. So don’t do it, okay?
Speaking of Gina Kolata, she’s written a book about weight loss research, which I own – Rethinking Thin. At five years old now, it might be getting a little dated, but it was a good book to read since it’s all about where the science was at. (Or wasn’t at, as the case often seemed to be.) I can’t say I exactly enjoyed having that many not-fun truths dropped on me, but there’s a certain power to, after having been struggling up a mountain for years, having someone confirm that yes, it’s a fucking mountain. Losing weight does suck.
4 replies on “Weight loss myths”
Ugh, it so does. And I don’t think it ever gets easier. But it’s worth it, I think. You mentioned having lost 25% of your original weight, so that got me curious. I checked the numbers, and I’ve done the same since I was at my highest weight! Fist bump! :)
*fist bump*
i saw that yesterday.
so sick of fad diets, and so much contradictory information. i have this buddy that is such a trend puppy. first he tries the paleo diet, then the whole 30, instead of just eating sensibly like we were all taught when we were young, and getting consistent exercise. instead, he eats literally 3 eggs, 1/2 lb bacon, 4 sausages, and cheese every freaking morning. and, he wonders why he has chronic diarrhea. *sigh*
i showed a picture of you to roger the other day, and he didn’t recognise you. i think you look fantastic. and, remember nobody but you and your doctor can tell you when you’re at a healthy weight. fuck BMI, fuck diet fads.
Wow. I think if I ate that much meat, I’d never manage to poop again. Ever. I’d just explode one day. I know some people that are on diet trends too, and it’s like… argh, there is no proof. If you think it works for you, great, but that is no guarantee it works for anyone else.
Hahaha I’ll shock Roger when I drop by the shop then. ;)