In the past 18 months I’ve read probably two dozen books related to nutrition and fitness–including library copies of most of the popular diet books. (Why buy them? Most are unscientific attempts to make the reader believe that she holds in her hand the one key to weight loss.)
In any case, in the better books I’ve often come across references to the National Weight Control Registry. Here’s how the NWCR website describes the entity:
One of the most popular myths about weight loss is that everyone who loses weight will eventually gain it back. The National Weight Control Registry is a research study which has exploded this myth and shown that successful weight loss is indeed possible. Developed by Rena Wing, PhD, at Lifespan, Brown University and the University of Pittsburgh, and James Hill, PhD, at the University of Colorado, the National Weight Control Registry has identified more than 4,000 individuals who have lost significant amounts of weight and kept it off for long periods of time.
In practical terms, that means a loss of 30 pounds or more that’s been maintained for at least one year.
The home page offers links to research, success stories, and links to other worthy sites. When I have time, I’ll investigate more thoroughly.
From what I’ve seen, though, the registry’s successful losers are predominantly those who exercised while dieting to lose their avoirdupois and who continue to exercise regularly. Those who do not exercise regularly are rarely able to maintain a lower body weight.
As one of Mary’s maxims puts it, exercise is nonnegotiable.
