Cunningham: Three simple rules for weight loss

Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2002

What if it's all been a big fat lie?

This is the title of a New York Times magazine article published July 7. The article discusses the phenomenon of the obesity epidemic hitting this country in the last decade.

The recommendation from the surgeon general was that fat is the root of all obesity, and that in order to lose weight one must eliminate fat in the diet.

Looking at the past decade, I must say that obviously this is not the case.

As a nation we have decreased fat intake, only to increase our carbohydrate intake and our ever-growing waistlines. What if the information we have been told over the past decade is just that: a big fat lie.

Until we come to the realization that we cannot eat more than our body requires for everyday activities, we will continue to gain weight.

Until we realize the very simple equation that calories eaten must equal calories used, we will continue to gain weight.

If you are the type of person who enjoys all-you-can-eat buffets and watching television, you will gain weight. If you want to eat at all-you-can-eat buffets, then you had better find some way to burn more calories than you are taking in. This is why exercise is so important to the equation.

There are three simple rules to follow with weight loss: 1. Diet, 2. Exercise, 3. Change your habits.

Tim cunningham is a registered and licensed dietitian and customer service manager for Eat-Rite Health Promotion Center.

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