AARP article on fat after 50

[w8ing2b]

I am sorry buddies I can't copy the aritcle on here since I don't have a scanner, but this is the basis for the article.

First off it said that the over 50 crowd is having as much of an explosion of obesity as the youngsters. It went on to say that people are not successful at programs like WW's!! The article suggested that there is scientific evidence to back up Atkins claim that we need to eat more protein and less carbs! :eek: Especially the refined carbs that we have come to know and love!! :(

I don't know about anyone else but I personally find these types of articles disturbing. The reason is that they seem to make it sound hopeless for people to actually lose weight and keep it off. I don't know about you but I don't need to be hearing about how hopeless this battle is!! I see promise all around me here at BCB and at my WW meeting. I am going to beat these odds and lose this weight and keep it off, how about you? graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[Shican]

Dee; Although I am new to this board, I feel I must put in my two cents worth! As a WWer from way back I did the unthinkable.....on January 6th I went on Dr. Atkins as a quick fix prior to going on vacation this weekend. Did it work?? Yes, I lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. Felt nausesous all the time.....and when I declared the "diet" over.....I gained 7 pounds eating one meal!!!!!

I don't want to upset any people out there following Dr. Atkins. It works for some people I am sure. I just feel that WW is a program for life!

I blame no one except myself, because I know that WW works!! There is no magic trick. I knew all this but still.........

So I have returned to WW. I feel so good, like I am coming home. If I have an indulgence on program I may not lose that week, or perhaps slip and have a small gain, I have never gained 7 pounds in one week after one meal.

So I agree with you. We can lose weight after 50 following this healthy and permanent lifestyle.

And I am home to stay!

[CathyJ]

I tried Atkins years ago, when I was in my late teens or early 20's and it was all the rage (for the first time). It makes me feel really unwell, and I only lasted a few days on it.

For me, a balanced program like WW is the way to go.

Cathy

[skruggie]

Atkins...yuk!!!

Makes me a very grumpy, unpleasant person.

I don't know what made me thing I could live without bread & potatoes, even for a day!

[Sunflwr1]

I followed a similar program (Protein Power) several years ago. Prior to that I had already lost about 20lbs. just cutting down on fat and eating a balanced diet. After starting the PP Plan I lost 8 lbs. the first week, I felt great, and enjoyed eating meat, bacon, real cheese, mayo and cream!!! I couldn't believe it... I lost weight and my cholesterol dropped amazingly! However I didn't lose much after that and the high I was feeling didn't last. I do know that many folks do very well with this type of program, so I think there is some merit to it. Protein is a natural diaretic so I think that is why most people lose so dramatically when they're first on the program... and then it slows down just like any other weight loss program.

Then you can get into eating according to your blood type. I have that book too, it's around here somewhere! lol!

I really think the bottom line is to eat a proportionate, well balanced diet.

[shelac]

My brother in law went on it a few years back - I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but he managed to lose wt. and has kept it off. I wouldn't try it myself, I've never been good at these types of diets, but I guess if it's only for a short while and you look at your lifestyle and exercise, there are people who are going to have some success. Bottom line is whether something can work for YOU. It doesn't matter what other people are doing, you are the important one here. Sheila

[Raindancer1937]

I also tried the Atkins diet, its true I lost weight and ate all the bacon, eggs, etc., that I thought I was crazy about. Had diarrhea all the time. But alas I couldn't eat bread or pasta and the one day that I did indulge. The diet was unforgiving I gained 5 lbs., in one day. Not for me I will stick with WW as a way of life. This journey goes with me forever. ;)

katy graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[sjc1228]

Adkins didn't work for me either. However, I'll line up to congratulate anyone who loses weight and keeps it off, no matter which program helps them achieve it.

That said, I really worry about us baby boomers, who are bursting at the seams. I heard this morning on the radio, that in 5 years, it's estimated that over 50% of the population will be OBESE (not simply overweight, but obese). Just imagine the cost in related health care, for diabetes, heart disease, etc.

It just saddens me to see it happen.

[CarlaKay]

Prior to this time on WW, I had been on Atkins for quite awhile. I lost over 10 pounds, but it was in the beginning and then nothing. My cholesterol did go down a little, but I was having trouble with my digestive system all the time. Just not worth it and I don't think I could have lived on it forever. WW has been the lifesaver for me. I will be on WW the rest of my life.
I, too, am saddened by the rise in obesity. Dee, I don't see any benefit to printing an article telling us we can't sustain weight loss. What is wrong with AARP? You and I know that WW works and I see no reason to think that I cannot continue to live like this. How about you?

[w8ing2b]

Maybe people feel the need to print ariticles about how people can't lose weight and sustain the loss because that is what they believe!! I know it can happen, I have seen it happen, and that is what I am going to focus my attention on. I tried the LA Weight loss program which is just another form of atkins. It is high protein, low carb. I followed the program faithfully and was unable to lose. The weight counselor could not understand it because most people have stupendous weight loss on the plan. I have no idea why it did not work for me but it was just another link in the chain of events that had me believing that my metabolism was forever broken and that I could never lose weight. Thank goodness I decided to try WW and I have no intention of ever giving up on myself. smile.gif

[jefrado22]

FYI, any of you know the medical definition of obese???

It's being 30 pounds overweight!!!

Somehow, I would have thought it would have been greater - like 50 or 60 pounds....

I agree with all who said - WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU!!! I, personally, have always felt the healthiest following the WW program - especially on the weeks I manage to do THE RIGHT MIX (Week 6).

Balance and Moderation. Probably 2 of the hardest things in life for me. I'm learning though - BABY STEPS!!!

[CathyJ]

The definition I've seen of obese has to do with BMI, not an absolute # of pounds. For a short person such as myself (I used 5'3" in some sample calculations, although I'm probably really only 5'2 1/2" or less), the 30 lbs. is about right (at least, 30 lb. over my max WW goal), but I'd think that for a taller person it would turn out to be a bigger # of pounds. (Actually, I probably am obese if I weigh 170, with WW goal of 141. Not to mention that I for sure am obese at my current weight.)

The exact BMI definition seems to vary from website to website, but here's one:
BMI 22-25 - ideal weight
BMI 25-29 - overweight
BMI 30-40 - obese
BMI > 40 - morbidly obese

Cathy