Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site terak.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!noao!terak!doug From: doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee) Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.med Subject: Re: Need info on "Gold Key" Weight loss plan Message-ID: <835@terak.UUCP> Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 11:56:41 EST Article-I.D.: terak.835 Posted: Tue Oct 29 11:56:41 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 1-Nov-85 03:16:01 EST References: <378@cylixd.UUCP> <812@terak.UUCP> <392@unc.unc.UUCP> Organization: Calcomp Display Products Division, Scottsdale, AZ, USA Lines: 40 Xref: linus net.consumers:2791 net.med:2491 > You are wrong to say that there is no effective weight-loss program. > Most people will be safely able to take off most excess weight and > keep it off merely by a daily half hour of race-walking (or an > alternative suitably strenuous exercise). I wouldn't argue that exercise is not effective at losing weight. In fact, it is currently the closest approximation that we have to "an effective weight loss program." But refer to my original quote: > >There are no known effective weight loss programs (if "effective" > >means that the weight is not regained within a few months or years). Experience shows that approximately 0% of the populace will maintain the exercise schedule required for the rest of their lives. Unless they have a motivation as strong as, "You'll die if you don't". And often not even then. There are a great many ways to lose weight initially. But the track record of every single weight loss regimen is dismal (to say the least) when looked at on a long-term basis. There not only is no "magic" answer, there isn't even an "unmagic" answer. A note of clarification: this discussion has strayed a bit from the point I was trying to make in my original posting. I'm not trying to say that one shouldn't take up an exercise program. What I *am* trying to say is that one shouldn't waste one's life worrying about being overweight. Too many overweight people dedicate their entire lives to losing weight instead of living their lives. Furthermore, they carry a totally undeserved burden of guilt, both for being overweight in the first place and for their repeated failure at losing weight. They need to be told that those failures are universal, that virtually no one ever succeeds at maintaining a weight loss. And they need to change the focus of their lives away from "losing weight" to "enjoying life". At the same time, those people without "weight problems" need to learn that overweight is *not* a sign of weak personal character. -- Doug Pardee -- CalComp -- {calcom1,savax,seismo,decvax,ihnp4}!terak!doug