moiram@tektronix.UUCP (Moira Mallison ) (04/12/84)
Dieting is very seductive...there is a prescribed formula for attaining
the goal, one can generally muster support (if not admiration and/or
envy) for the activity from friends. BUT, the truth of the matter is that
only .5 to 2% (depending on where the statistics come from) of folks
who start a diet lose all the weight they want to lose AND KEEP IT OFF.
A cycle describing the psychological aspects of dieting:
1. negative emotions (low self-esteem, etc) leading to
2. start of diet and high hopes (pride, energy, self-control)
3. boredom...'cheating'...
4. goto 1.
A cycle describing the physiological aspects of dieting:
1. diet without exercise
2. induced starvation state, which kicks in the survival instincts
(starvation defenses)
3. metabolism SLOWS (to conserve energy in case this famine should last)
4. setpoint rises (the set point is the weight your body seeks to maintain)
5. feel hungrier/tired
6. body conserves energy
7. body burns substances in following order: protein, lean muscle tissue,
and finally fat.
8. discouragement sets in
9. eating not in accordance with diet
10. and we're back where we started, except for the extra 5 lbs from the
out-of-control binging associated with step 9, and the fact that the
metabolism is slower, and the set point is higher.
This seems to sum up the 'state-of-the-art' thinking in the eating disorder
known as compulsive overeating. DIETS DONT WORK.
There are two books I would offer as resources:
FIT OR FAT by Covert Bailey - what does work is aerobic exercise. At the
same time it burns fat, it raises the metabolism and the metabolism stays
raised for about 24 hours.
DIETS DONT WORK by Bob Schwartz - I admit to being somewhat prejudiced
about this book. Bob & I worked together in the 'human potential movement'
about 6 years ago, so I know we come from a similar 'ground of being'.
A couple of interesting points: Bob has owned and managed a chain of health
spas for several years. His tried and true method for dealing with the
patrons who want to GAIN weight(arghhh!) is to alternate between a weight
loss diet and regular diet. They always gain weight. (hmmm).
I used Bobs ideas about paying attention to when I wanted to eat, and what and
how much I really wanted, for several weeks and it was the most stress-free
period of weight-loss I've ever experienced. I lived life as a normal person,
going out to eat, attended a number of parties, etc. Bottom line,
it's a question of telling the truth about how hungry I am, what I want to eat,
and how much I want to eat to satisfy the physical hunger (and to take care
of the psychological hunger another way).
It's not easy, by any means. It requires vigilance and a willingness to be
honest with myself. After the first 10 - 15 pounds came off I found that
people had this expectation of how I should behave because I was dieting
( I must have been: I was losing weight.)
I dont have any glowing testimonials. I only have my own conviction that come
from dealing with this situation for twenty years.
---Moira Mallison
Tektronix, Beaverton, OR