Food and Health Survey

[HomeBizHope]

I thought this may be of interest to those of you who are with nutrition companies....

A study conducted in 2011 by the Internation Food Information Council Foundation found that among the 69% of Americans currently trying to lose or maintain their weight: 70% believe that both physical activity and monitoring food and beverage consumption are equally important in weight management.

Have a great day!

Lori

[sheribell]

That is interesting! I always thought what you ate (food consumption) was like 70% and activity was 30%!

[Daisy53]

Just Some Thoughts:

When they say "monitoring" this could mean two entirely different things.

1) Quantity Only
2) Nutritional Quality

I would venture to guess that most of those attempting to lose weight are leaning towards cutting down on what they're presenty eating and not making too many changes.

Those successful in maintaining their weight have most likely found that true success is through wise nutritional choices balances with a sensible exercise plan.

~Susan~

[vemmamom]

I agree with you that both are important. It is about changing lifestyle. Is it any wonder that weight loss is a multi billion dollar industry and yet so many people are still obese or struggling with their weight? We have to move past the shake and meal replacement bar mentality. Some companies including the one I work with are offering a more wholistic approach to ensure that people can reprogram their bodies and their habits safely and conveniently.

[HomeBizHope]

I agree with Daisy and vemmamom that the whole idea of "just" replacing a meal or cutting down what you eat is part of the problem. #1 - If you aren't eating healthy foods, you aren't giving your body the good nutrition it needs to function optimally. #2 - If you don't also incorporate exercise, you will likely fail to lose weight and/or keep it off!

My husband went on Weight Watchers a couple of years ago and lost some weight, but as soon as he didn't watch his points again every day, he put the pounds right back on. Plus, he's at a sedentary job and while there are days he is up and walking around the factory, he never gets his heart rate up high enough to give him much of a workout!

He says he would use a treadmill though, so while I'm thinking it will just become a coat rack, I'm willing to let him try it so hopefully he can stick with it and improve his health to make sure he's with us a long time (Lord willing)!

I personally love the Wii and I even started running/walking last year during the decent weather. I admit I do like nutritional shakes just because they are fast and I get a lot of nutrition in one glass. I try to watch what I eat, but I know I still need to get better nutrition. I'm a work in progress!

[RozPearcy]

I agree 100% that it's both diet and exercise, but for most it's easier said than done. VemmaMom you mentioned something interesting that I'd like to address. I agree with you that using shakes or bars to lose weight is not the best if you mean that the mentality of having that be your only solution to weight loss. It doesn't work that way...your mindset has to be in the right place for you to get the weight off and keep it off.

I could start Nutra system, Jenny Craig or weight watchers...but if it's superficial it just won't work like homebizhope said with her hubby's experience.

So while a meal replacement may not be the best for you, it might work for someone else. In full disclosure I work with a company that promotes meal replacements. Honestly if I was hearing story after story of people gaining the weight back it would be hard for me to promote it.

But with my own experience...my meal replacement shakes helped me change my mindset on my weight and what I put in my body. They took away my sugar cravings, they kept me full with good nutrition and quality ingredients. They also helped me build muscle, which burns more calories.

If someone came to me at 40 lbs overweight and said "Just start eating right" yeah I know that's the solution, but I was NOT in that mindset at the time I started using meal replacement shakes.

So for some meal replacements will not be the best option, for others it will, and they are just a stepping stone to sound and healthy eating.

I don't take two shakes a day now because I don't need to I got the weight off, kept it off, developed a love for working out and eating right. Now I may have a shake in the morning for breakfast which is not unheard of, and on days I work out I might have a post workout shake low in calories just to replenish my muscles.

In saying all of this, my opinion is that there are so many options out there, be it just eating right cold turkey, using a program like Nutra system etc., or using meal replacement shakes. It all comes down to our mentality about what we put into our body, and the tool we use to change that mentality is different for all people.

BUT, there are many people out there who think by eating a bar or drinking a shake their problems will go away. Not likely...well it might but they will gain it back. Just my two hundred cents hehe, I write novels

[DebraFerrie]

Roz! Great reply

I also promote the same challenge as Roz. Years ago I would have almost scoffed at meal replacement shakes.

I eat pretty healthy and only have maybe 5 pounds to lose.

But as I got older and much busier ( single with 3 kids), I found that breakfast was my worst meal or I skipped it when things get nuts around here. NOT healthy!

So for me, instead of a quick piece of toast or worse, nothing at all, my shakes give me GREAT nutrition, keep me full and give me the energy I need. Then when the kids are in school I can cook my healthy lunch and dinner.

I also see story after story of major weight loss or body transformations. The most inspiring are the ones who made the challenge a total package- drank our shakes, took the vitamins and incorporated healthy lifestyle changes like better meals and exercise.

As a former certified personal trainer , I know that exercise is so important. Not just for weight loss but for body re-shaping. And better aging :-)

[sheribell]

I have read that cutting back on daily consumption of calories is what will make you lose weight. BUT in a study with weight loss participants AFTER the weight came off - the most successful at keeping the weight loss had 2 common denominators -

1. The ate breakfast everyday and
2. The worked out on some sort of regular schedule.


So my belief is that you need to cut calories to lose - you need to work out to keep yourself at the new weight (oh and eat breakfast!)

[HomeBizHope]

Roz & Deb,

I agree about the shakes being part of a healthy diet! And I struggle with eating breakfast too - I usually just have a cup of tea - not good! I recently begain drinking a protein shake in the AM on the advice of my Dr., however, I started putting the weight on! Ugh! I think my body is so starved for protein that it just bulked me up! So I need to drink a protein shake that also has other nutrition in it, so I don't need to eat additional food too.

Anyway, I want to set a good example for my kids with what and how I eat, and that's one easy thing I know I can change - actually eating (or drinking) something healthy in the morning!

Originally Posted by DebraFerrie

Roz! Great reply

I also promote the same challenge as Roz. Years ago I would have almost scoffed at meal replacement shakes.

I eat pretty healthy and only have maybe 5 pounds to lose.

But as I got older and much busier ( single with 3 kids), I found that breakfast was my worst meal or I skipped it when things get nuts around here. NOT healthy!

So for me, instead of a quick piece of toast or worse, nothing at all, my shakes give me GREAT nutrition, keep me full and give me the energy I need. Then when the kids are in school I can cook my healthy lunch and dinner.

I also see story after story of major weight loss or body transformations. The most inspiring are the ones who made the challenge a total package- drank our shakes, took the vitamins and incorporated healthy lifestyle changes like better meals and exercise.

As a former certified personal trainer , I know that exercise is so important. Not just for weight loss but for body re-shaping. And better aging :-)