Dangers Kirstie Alley doesn’t know about repeated weight loss & gain that you should
ByAre you like Kirstie Alley– painfully struggling with weight ups and downs?
We have seen her trim and strong in movies. Then, heavy and her body – large in tabloids. At one point, she joined Jenny Craig as a weight loss spokesperson. After her weight gain, weight loss and weight gain back again, she is in the news regarding her recent weight loss.
Now since she has been in the news regarding her new appearance, many will follow her example to lose, gain and lose weight again.
Now, let’s be clear: To lose weight is good.
However, to gain and lose weight over and over again is not.
This pattern has dangerous and damaging effects on your system that you need to know about.
The dangers of yo-yo pounds
In a study conducted by Dr. Cornelia M. Ulrich of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, she questioned more then 114 women over 50 about their dieting histories.
She has found that more then three-quarters of the women questioned have lost more then 10 lbs by dieting twice or more in the last 20 years.
Then, blood tests where taken to analyze levels of natural killer cells (the ones that aim to protect your body from diseases such as cancer, the flu and colds).
It turns out that women who had lost and gained the most weight, (doing this five times or more), had the lowest levels of natural killer cells.
Even women who lost twice the amount of large weight showed a decrease of the important immune system cells.
Other studies suggest that weight gain and loss may increase your risk for certain health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and gall bladder disease.
Also, the psychological factor is not one to neglect. Women who gain and lose weight experience psychological concerns. Some studies have found an increased measure of psychological distress, life dissatisfaction and reduced levels of self-efficacy[1]. In my practice, those are complains I hear frequently when a woman starts a weight loss program again. An overall feeling of not feeling well is often described.
The good news is that your metabolism is not at stake. Gaining and losing weight does not alter your metabolism. However, it is a fact that as we get older, metabolism slows down by 2% every decade after the age of 20. Although to gain and lose weight doesn’t change your metabolism, it is a fact that it will be harder to lose as you age because your metabolism slows down and you most likely become less active.
My recommendation to Kirstie Alley and any woman who has been in her shoes:
Losing weight is difficult and gaining weight is easy. Both can become a mobius-strip experience of never ending ups and downs. This is the experience that many have.
It can happen because life gets in the way. It can be that food is used to ease a stressful situation. Perhaps food might be a replacement for a lost relationship? All these situations need to be addressed in any successful weight loss program.
Follow these recommendations to succeed in maintaining your weight loss:
Get with a program
Kirstie Alley lost weight on a program and gained weight when she went off a program.
Consistency is the key to any success. If you know that you have gone backwards, admit it and take action to move forwards again.
Have an accountability system. If you don’t have a system, such as a coach to report to, I suggest that you sign up with a program or establish a accountability system with a friend who has your best interests in mind.
Also it is helpful to agree to a penalty that you will accept if (or when) you drop out of your program. This can be as simple as going to the spa and jumping into an ice cold bath right after a sauna treatment.
Check in with your emotions
It is not out-of-control eating that is the start of your weight gain.
In my practice, I interview clients before they start my program to find out why they gained weight and why they want to start losing now. The results vary in their psychological nature. Either it was an emotionally disturbing event, stress or boredom that set off the out of control eating. All three have to do with your emotional health, and not with the amount of exercise you did—or didn’t–do.
When you find yourself in a situation in which you gain weight, go deeper and admit why you stopped your program, indulged in food or stopped being active. The first step to your emotional healing is to admit what went wrong. Then let it go and move forward into a position of self-love, self- respect and practical solutions that will work for your life.
Breath of fresh air
The secret to weight-loss exercise success? Get active. Get active with any activity. And the more you enjoy the activity, the better.
Don’t get hung up on which strategy burns more fat or which strategy helps you to lose more weight. Find an activity that you enjoy and can do for a long time and won’t quit.
The goal is not to start to lose and gain back your weight lost but rather maintain your weight loss.
Get outside to manage your blood pressure and your stress. Breathe fresh air.
A walk in nature can lower your blood pressure and help to manage your stress. It also can be like a therapy session when you walk with a friend.
Celebrate yourself and mother earth. Check in with your 2nd Chakra (emotional connection in the area around your lower abdomen).
To gain, lose and gain 20 lbs is not a natural pattern. Gaining weight through the aging process occurs as our metabolism slows down. Yet, this can be simply counteracted by strength training. Strength training is a great strategy to maintain your lean muscle tissue and to prevent you from osteoporosis.
Sister, it is all about lifestyle changes. Make adjustments in your life that help you to move forward. And the sooner you manage lifestyle changes the sooner you will be glowing like a Queen overlooking her new Kingdom.
Stay focused.
Stefan
Europe’s Premier Youngevity Coach
AFFA, ACE, Reebok University
Masters in Science in Holistic Nutrition
Stefan Aschan, M.S., author of the Alpine Weight Loss Secrets, which teaches you to how look and feel naturally 7, 10 and even 20 years younger, without drugs, supplements or surgeries. His approach is holistic, scientific and organic, based on centuries of experience from those living in Alpine Environments. He is a certified strength coach, personal trainer and naturopath. Learn more about how to loss weight naturally or about the 5 restoration workers by visiting www.AlpineWeightLossSecrets.com
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1 Comments
October 10th, 2011 at
Breath of fresh air article! There are so many others who took it off and have kept it off.