In the past, the 57-year-old Gilmer, Texas, resident would try fad diets that did nothing but leave her feeling frustrated, she said.

"There was one called a grapefruit diet or something where you didn't eat anything but grapefruit," Henson said. "If you do something like that, that's what I meant by 'diet' being a failure."

She didn't consistently exercise, either. Although she didn't have any serious health conditions, she knew that her lifestyle was killing her. Henson was 5-foot-4 and 332 pounds.

Then, about six years ago, Henson was listening to the radio when an ad for Anytime Fitness blasted through the speakers. She said a quick prayer: "God, I wish we had one of those here."

Two weeks later, a gym opened in her neighborhood.

"I looked at it as an answered prayer," Henson said. "If that hadn't happened, there's a possibility I could have died or have any of the conditions associated with being obese. There's a history of heart disease and diabetes in my family. I was headed in that direction, and I didn't want to go there."

Ever since, Henson has been going to the gym daily with two of her friends and has been preparing healthier meals for herself. She has lost 175 pounds -- more than 50% of her previous body weight -- and she is keeping the weight off, she said. She has ditched fad diets and avoids placing too much emphasis on how much she weighs and instead focuses on how she feels.

But she remembers how easy it was to stick to the same old foods and avoid exercising, and how hard it was to find a healthier routine that led to long-term weight loss.

Experts are now trying to figure out why: whether it's because they don't realize they're at an unhealthy weight, because weight loss is hard or something else entirely.

The new paper showed that more than 30% of Americans said they were obese in 2015, compared with about 19% in 1997. Of those who were overweight or obese, about 49% said they were trying to lose weight in 2014, compared with about 55% in 1994.

"I've pondered that several times, as to why some people would want to be unhealthy when they can be healthy, but there are so many variables in someone's life that you don't know about," Henson said.

"I can't sit in judgment as to why that person wants to or doesn't want to. I just know what I needed and what I needed to do to change," she said. "You can't change what you've tried in the past, but you can set your sights for a better future.

"Everyone's on a different path, a different journey," Henson said.

For the new paper, "we hypothesized that the prevalent misperception may lead to a lack of motivation to lose weight. The current study just provides the missing piece of the puzzle," Zhang said.

"We are stuck in a vicious cycle. More people are getting obese; more are fine with their weight; when they are looking around, they find more persons with even larger bodies, and more are getting less motivated to lose weight, and in turn, we are getting even heavier," he said.

Dr. Randy Rockney, a pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, has noticed the same thing happening among children, he said.

"Increasing obesity and overweight trends probably result in 'new normals,' " said Rockney, who was not involved in the new paper.

"Looking at society in general, overweight and obese people are less likely to perceive themselves as aberrant," he said. "It's really hard to lose weight, but it's not impossible, and I think there are a lot of people who have given up."

Rockney, 63, knows those challenges too well.

Standing at 6-foot-1, Rockney said his weight has fluctuated since he was in medical school, from the mid-180s to a high of 218, which meets the criteria for "overweight."

"The numbers are very sensitive to my weight," he said of his blood-sugar levels. "If I go up by five pounds, it will change the numbers adversely, and then, conversely, losing five pounds makes a significant improvement."

So Rockney decided to enroll in a weight loss study at work. He began calculating and restricting his fat and calorie intake, recording the foods and drinks he consumed, and weighing himself. He dropped to 193 pounds.

The weight loss was tough but not impossible, Rockney said. "I am more weight conscientious than I was, particularly regarding diet. I regained some of the weight I lost but remain well under where I started."

He said he currently weighs about 203 pounds, which technically still places his body mass index in the overweight category.

"A lot of physicians are conscious of this, that it's hard to preach healthy diet and exercise and healthy weight if you as a physician are not at a healthy weight," he said. "Among my patients and their families, excess weight continues to be a very common problem. We try to help them, but it can be challenging."

The new paper in JAMA included data on 27,350 overweight and obese adults who reported whether they were trying to lose weight between 1988 and 1994, 1999 and 2004, and 2009 and 2014.

"It's unfortunate that the current study was based on interviews rather than direct observation," Zhang said. "This is the reason we cannot rule out the possibility that many adults are actually fully engaging with a healthy lifestyle, but not on purpose to lose weight."

He added that the data did not include reports from the adults as to why they were not trying to lose weight, but he has some theories.

"First and foremost, it's painful. It's hard to drop pounds. Many of us tried and failed, tried and failed, and finally failed to try any more," Zhang said.

The researchers wrote that some overweight people are not trying to lose "due to body weight misperception reducing motivation to engage in weight loss efforts. ... The chronicity of obesity may also contribute. The longer adults live with obesity, the less they may be willing to attempt weight loss, in particular if they had attempted weight loss multiple times without success."

Yet Kelly Brownell, dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and an expert on obesity, said he would come to a different set of conclusions.

"I think there are other possibilities that might be at least as important. One is that almost everybody who is overweight has tried to lose, and people are recognizing more and more that it's a very difficult challenge," said Brownell, who was not involved in the paper.

"Most approaches to weight loss produce temporary loss. People tend to regain and then go on more diets later, and so some people feel that it's not worth the effort and that the risk of failure is too high," he said. "Most people who are overweight realize that there are negative consequences and would like to lose weight if they could. But they realize that it's a very hard path to go down and that most people are not successful.

"It argues more than ever for the importance of prevention, because once people become overweight, it's very hard to lose, it's even harder to keep the weight off, and therefore preventing the weight gain in the first place has to be a national priority."

The researchers of the new paper, however, also noted that primary care clinicians might not be discussing weight issues with their patients, something that has been found in separate studies.

"Further, this decline was greatest in patients with obesity, patients at most need for physician intervention," she said.

"This may be due to a variety of reasons, including physician discomfort with providing counseling, less time available due to increased other patient conditions or even a greater acceptance of higher rates of obesity," she said. "We know that if physicians simply tell their patients they are overweight, they are more likely to be successful in their weight loss efforts. Therefore, it's critical we find a way to help reverse these trends."

However, pediatrician Rockney said he hasn't observed a decline in weight-related counseling in his own professional experience.

"For a long time, I could sense a deep cynicism about addressing the weight problem," he said. "But in recent times, there are a couple of my colleagues who have really taken on the obesity issue with kids and are really pushing intervention."

Before his weight loss, Rockney said, he sometimes felt self-conscious counseling parents and children about losing weight.

That patient turned to his mother and Rockney and said, "Hey, I think we all could stand to lose 15 or 20 pounds," making a reference to the doctor's weight.

Now, "I feel more confident in terms of advising families, people, what it is that can work for weight loss," Rockney said.

He often advises his patients to eat a healthy breakfast daily and monitor their caloric intake for weight loss. For instance, a blueberry muffin can take up about a third of your daily calories, since it has almost 500 calories, he said.

Rockney also advises his patients to weigh themselves daily, as addressing a lapse in weight loss can prevent even more weight gain, he said.

"One important principle I learned and still think to myself is, 'don't let a lapse become a relapse.' That's where regular weighings help, because I can potentially intervene before things get out of hand," Rockney said.

He said his effort to maintain his current weight or even lose weight again continues.

Beyond the clinic walls, having discussions about weight can be even more uncomfortable, Penn State's Kraschnewski said.

"Studies tell us that the vast majority of people who are overweight are interested in losing weight, but interest doesn't necessarily translate to action," she said.

If a loved one's weight might be putting their health at risk, Kraschnewski offered some advice on how to discuss weight loss.

"Look for opportunities to have a conversation, such as if your loved one makes a comment about their weight. If they aren't happy with their current weight, offer to help them talk to their doctor or look for other weight loss resources in your community," she said.

"Think about ways you could be active together," she said. "Having a partner on the journey to a healthier weight is one of the most effective ways for people to be successful."

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Why are fewer Americans trying to lose weight? - CNN

WYTV

Trucker Transformation! Slow, steady weight loss WYTV YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) With spring comes rebirth; the caterpillar turns into the glorious butterfly. Mike Harahuc hasn't sprouted wings yet, but he has had a transformation. Harahuc is a truck driver and has had a pretty impressive weight loss over ...

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Trucker Transformation! Slow, steady weight loss - WYTV

Life & Style Weekly

Rob Kardashian, Sam Smith, and More Famous Guys With Major Weight Loss Transformations Life & Style Weekly With female stars like Rebel Wilson and Adele making moves to be healthier, it's no wonder why we're so quick to associate women in Hollywood with weight loss transformations. However, we tend to forget that famous guys go through drastic body changes ... and more »

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Rob Kardashian, Sam Smith, and More Famous Guys With Major Weight Loss Transformations - Life & Style Weekly

By Pam Stuppy

Concerns about the growing number of individuals who are overweight or obese are well-founded. There are many people, however, who are struggling with the opposite weight issue unwanted weight loss. Reversing the trend of weight loss can be just as much of a challenge for them as losing weight is for overweight persons.

Numerous factors can contribute to unwanted weight loss. It could be due to certain medical conditions (such as intestinal problems, an over-active thyroid, etc.), chronic disease (like COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), symptoms from some medications (loss of appetite, taste changes, etc.), side effects from treatments for medical problems (such as cancer), emotional or mental health issues (anxiety, depression, dementia, etc.), extended illness, aging, alcohol abuse, or limited access to sufficient food (financial issues, transportation limitations, etc.).

More specifically, physical eating problems can be caused by poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or constipation issues, changes in taste or smell, problems with swallowing and/or chewing, chronic pain, or reduced thirst cues.

Lack of sufficient calories and nutrients can lead to a variety of health problems. Low intake can result in fatigue, which can prompt more sedentary habits, social isolation and reduced motivation for self-care. Inadequate food intake also compromises the immune system. This means a greater risk of illness and/or slower recovery from illness.

Poor dietary intake generally leads to reduced muscle mass and bone density. This can contribute to an increased risk of falling and fractures, difficulty accomplishing activities of daily living, reduced independence and a higher risk of acquiring some chronic diseases.

Addressing inadequate intake depends on the conditions creating the problem. In some cases, adjustments can be made to remove or reduce the cause of the eating issues. In others, it means making purposeful changes specific to the pattern of eating, the types of foods available, and access to enough food.

For healthy weight gain, some general guidelines are to increase the frequency of eating, increase the portion sizes of foods as possible, and to choose more nutrient/calorie-dense foods (more nutrients/calories for the volume of food consumed).

Rather than depending on feelings of hunger or thirst, it might be advantageous to consume foods and beverages on a schedule. A good plan might be to eat within about an hour of waking and then every two to three hours throughout the day. This spreads the food out to reduce the need for larger amounts fewer times a day. Being presented with large amounts all at once can seem overwhelming and can actually counter the desire to eat.

Many high-calorie foods provide empty calories meaning calories with minimal nutrients. Ideally, the foods consumed should provide nutrients as well as calories. There are numerous ways to slip healthy ingredients into foods to boost their nutrient content.

Some good choices for more calories might be dense grain foods like granola, dense breads like bagels, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, nut and seed butters, avocado, oils used in cooking or added to foods, fruit and vegetable purees added to foods like quick breads, cooked cereals made with milk, smoothies made with yogurt, cheese and veggie omelets, cooked whole-grain products, thick soups/stews rather than those with more broth, etc. Powdered milk or evaporated whole milk can be added to many foods to boost protein and calcium.

Having food always available is important. If grocery shopping is limited, one idea is to store larger amounts of less perishable and frozen foods. The individual or caregiver may also want to make bulk amounts of one-dish meals that can be used over several days and/or frozen in portion-sized amounts. These can easily be reheated as needed.

For nausea, foods that have a limited scent are often better tolerated. This might mean foods at refrigerator temperature or frozen items (like a yogurt and fruit smoothie, frozen fruit, frozen peas, etc.). Another tip is to have others do the cooking and avoid being near where foods are prepared.

For addressing disinterest in foods because of reduced taste or smell, try enhancing the flavors. Add more seasonings, serve foods warm, and try some new recipes. Eating with others in the home or out of the home in social environments can often encourage greater food intake.

For swallowing issues, modify foods so they are the appropriate texture for maximal swallowing ability. If chewing is an issue, focus on foods that require less chewing or again modify the consistency as needed. Softer foods might include eggs, yogurt, milk, fish, beans/hummus, melted cheese, pudding topped with soft or pureed fruit, oatmeal or other cooked whole grain (made with milk to add calories/protein/fiber), pureed fruit/vegetables, avocado, 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices, etc.

Beverages can be used not only to provide fluids, but also to add nutrients and calories. By consuming them toward the latter part of a meal or snack, they are then not replacing the nutrients and calories provided by adequate amounts of solid foods.

Unwanted weight loss can definitely be challenge to reverse, but the benefits of weight gain or stabilization are worth the effort when it comes to short- and long-term health and quality of life.

Pam Stuppy, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian with nutrition counseling offices in York, Maine, and Portsmouth. She is also the nutritionist for Phillips Exeter Academy, presents workshops nationally, and is board-certified as a specialist in sports dietetics. Visit http://www.pamstuppynutrition.com for nutrition information, healthy cooking tips and recipe ideas.

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Countering unwanted weight loss - fosters.com - Foster's Daily Democrat

Its a gorgeous spring afternoon here on Long Island, and I just got back from playing a pickup game of softball. With both of my seasons coming up in a couple of weeks, theres just one more tune-up (next weekend) before the games actually count.

Anyhow, today I want to talk about what goes on between the ears. This topic was motivated by one of my clients, who I had a great conversation with yesterday morning

We were discussing hesitancy, and how people set themselves up for failure. Its funny how language can affect the outcomes of things, even on a subconscious level.

Saying things like I think or I could instead of I know and I will can make all the difference between being successful on a venture, or completely falling on your face.

My client also mentioned the difference between being beaten and losing. When youre beat, whoever or whatever you were up against just got the better of you on that particular day. You tried your best, but you were out-classed, and it just didnt work out. It doesnt mean that you FAILEDIt just means you either have to learn something new to accomplish your mission, or make a few adjustments so that this doesnt happen again.

Ive mentioned in the past that on my personal journey, I plateaued for TWO YEARS! Not two weeks, not two months TWO YEARS!

As you can imagine, it was incredibly frustrating! I fell off the wagon time and time again due to apathy and frustration, but I NEVER threw in the towel 100%. When one diet didnt work, I tried something else. Same with exercise, and same with my mental approach to my journey.

After a nearly six-year-long battle, I FINALLY got to the promised land, and lost exactly triple digits in terms of pounds. My clothes fit better, my musculature was more accentuated in the right spots, and I had abs for the first time in my life!

When you lose, you have all the tools necessary to succeed, but you still come up short. This is a disappointment, because when youre merely beaten, you can at least learn from your lack of success, and make adjustments to insure success in the future with that particular endeavor.

In the case of Permanent Weight Loss, the amazing thing is that YOU have everything you need to come out on top! You dont need to have a certain level of intelligence, fitness, whatever It comes down to having the will and the determination to see things through!

You know the old saying If at first you dont succeed, try, try again! Thats a perfect summary of what Im getting at

Everybodys different. We all have different challenges that will make this journey, at times, frustrating and trying. The difference between those who lose the weight FOR GOOD, those who lose the weight but gain it all back, and even those who struggle to even get to where theyd like in the first place, is what goes on between the ears.

You WILL succeed! You KNOW its going to take hard work, but that in the long run, its going to pay off!

The more you tell yourself that, the better off youre going to be. Until tomorrow!

P.S. If you KNOW youre ready to make the changes necessary to see permanent results, but youre not sure what to do to get there, then you NEED to download my free report!

From mindset to nutrition to fitness, these five strategies are the same five I used to lose 100 lbs, keep it off, and change the lives of folks around the world STRUGGLING to lose weight, and just function day-to-day.

To get your FREE copy, simply go to http://www.weightlossbypete.com/5strategies!

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Weight Loss Tip: Attack Your Journey With the Right Mindset! - Huffington Post

America, we have a problem! Nine percent of 12- to 19-year-olds have morbid or extreme obesity. Morbid obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index of greater than 40. For a 54 17-year-old girl, this is a weight greater than 235 pounds; and for a 59 17-year-old boy, this is a weight greater than 275 pounds.

These young people are developing serious and complicated adult medical problems problems they probably dont even understand such as hypertension or high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood sugar, polycystic ovary syndrome (a female hormonal and metabolic disorder), obstructive sleep apnea or blocked breathing, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or fatty liver disease.

This everyone understands: most morbidly obese teens remain so as adults, and they have a shorter life expectancy than normal. They may lose from 6.5 years (BMI of 40-44.9) to 13.7 years (BMI of 55-59.9) of life.

What about bariatric surgeryfor teens? Im not a surgeon, but I believe that physicians and parents may need to consider this option. The most common types of operations being performed on adolescents are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

RYGB: A small stomach pouch is created at the top of the stomach and the pouch is connected to the mid-jejunum area of the small intestine. The small pouch greatly limits the amount of food that can be consumed. Food flows directly from the pouch into this part of the small intestine. The main part of the stomach continues to make digestive juices and is reattached farther down the small intestine. Because food bypasses a portion of the small intestine, fewer calories are absorbed.

Is there evidence that RYGB helps teenagers? Yes. Two recent studiesone that followed up with those who had teen bariatric surgery after five years, and another one which compared weight gain between obese teens who had surgery to obese teens receiving non-surgical treatmentshowed a significant reduction in BMI at one year and significant declines in high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.

LAGB: A band containing an inflatable balloon that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. A small stomach pouch is created above the inflated band and allows only a very narrow opening to the rest of the stomach. A port is placed under the skin and is connected by a tube to the band. By injecting or removing fluid through the port, the balloon can be inflated or deflated to adjust the band. LAGB restricts the amount of food that the stomach can hold, so fullness occurs earlier.

Is there evidence that LAGB helps teenagers? Yes. One study of 87 adolescents aged 14-19 years who had LAGB found an average weight loss at six months of approximately 27 pounds.

LSB: Part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body. The remaining section of the stomach cannot hold as much food.

Is there evidence that LSG helps teenagers? Yes again. In a review of 108 patients aged 5-21 years who had LSG, an average of 29 percent of total weight was lost after three months, 48 percent after six months, 61 percent after 12 months, and 62 percent after 24 months. The teens also experienced improvement in high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.

Teens and morbid obesity: Is it time for weight-loss surgery? Its time to find out. A teen who has a BMI of 40 or higher and is physically mature may be a candidate for surgery. Talk with your teens primary healthcare provider to learn more about the benefits, as well as the short- and long-term risks. Parents and teens need to understand that if they have surgery, it is only one step in losing weight. Teens will also need to build a new lifelong, healthy relationship with food and exercise. Surgical candidates will need to have the support of their family, the support of a team of experts, and the motivation to make lifelong changes. Theres no bypassing this.

Have a question for the Healthy Kids panel? Ask it here. Read more from the Healthy Kids blog

Published: April 10, 2017 4:00 AM EDT

We recently asked you to support our journalism. The response, in a word, is heartening. You have encouraged us in our mission to provide quality news and watchdog journalism. Some of you have even followed through with subscriptions, which is especially gratifying. Our role as an independent, fact-based news organization has never been clearer. And our promise to you is that we will always strive to provide indispensable journalism to our community. Subscriptions are available for home delivery of the print edition and for a digital replica viewable on your mobile device or computer. Subscriptions start as low as 25 per day. We're thankful for your support in every way.

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Teens and extreme obesity: Is it time for weight loss surgery? - Philly.com (blog)

Updated 10 April 2017 Exercising when youre over 50 can greatly improve your quality of life. Heres how to exercise safely and effectively.

Regular exercise can help increase energy levels, reduce the risk of disease, boost emotional health, reduce stress, improve sleep and reduce the symptoms of many chronic conditions in the over 50s.

But how much exercise is enough, and is it possible to overdo it?

The answer depends very much on the individual. If someone has been exercising for most of their life, they will have a high level of fitness and will be able to do more. That however doesnt mean that it is too late for middle-aged people who have never exercised. Fact is that it is never too late to start.

What the experts recommend

For women, the 50s involve menopause, which can cause weight gain; a loss of muscle mass and bone strength; and lower energy levels. Regular exercise can alleviate these symptoms, and experts recommend that postmenopausal women should include a combination of strength, aerobic and balance exercises for at least two and a half hours a week. The CDC recommends the same guidelines for people who are 65 or older, who are generally fit and have no limiting health conditions.

Where to start

The intensity of the exercise will depend on the individual and any existing health conditions they have. For example, someone with high blood pressure may struggle with some yoga poses and the associated inverted positions. Someone with osteoporosis may battle with brisk walking or high-impact exercises and should rather opt for stationary bike riding or the elliptical machine.

Before starting any exercise programme one should get the all clear from ones doctor and follow any guidelines they provide. If at any time you experience dizziness, nausea or sharp pain, stop exercising immediately and seek medical help.

The safest exercises for most people to do include:

This article is provided through a sponsorship from Pfizer in the interests of continuous medical education. Notwithstanding Pfizer's sponsorship of this publication, neither Pfizer nor its subsidiary or affiliated companies shall be liable for any damages, claims, liabilities, costs or obligations arising from the misuse of the information provided in this publication.

Readers are advised to consult their health care practitioner for specific information on personal health matters as this is not the intention or purpose of the publication. Specific medical advice or recommendations on the clinical management of patients will not be provided by Pfizer. In this regard Pfizer does not support the use of products for off label indications, nor dosing which falls outside the approved label recommendations and readers must refer to the Package Insert of any product for full prescribing guidelines.

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How much exercise can you safely do when you are over 50? - Health24

Having fallen in and out of favor with nutrition experts, youd think the fragile egg would be broken and beaten by now. Luckily, its ego isnt nearly as vulnerable as its shell. Oblivious to the attempts to separate the egg from its well-deserved title of "best source of complete protein on the planet," the egg has managed to remain a nutritious, inexpensive, andpopular food.

For awhile, nutrition experts hypothesized that the high cholesterol content of eggs raised blood cholesterol levels, which can increase a person's risk of heart disease. But this hypothesis was never proven. In fact, several studies have shown that the consumption of eggs is not associated with higher cholesterol levels but is associated with higher nutrient intake.

In 2000, researchers set out to assess the nutritional significance of eggs in the American diet and to estimate the degree of association between egg consumption and cholesterol levels. Their straightforward results were published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Eggs make important nutritional contributions to the American diet and their consumption is not associated with high cholesterol levels. Specifically, the study showed that egg consumers had a higher intake of important nutrients like vitamins B12, A, E, and C than non-egg eaters, and that people who reported eating four or more eggs per week actually had significantly lower average cholesterol levels than those who reported eating zero to one eggs per week.

Here are four more ways eggs can enhance your health:

According to Becky Hand, a Licensed and Registered Dietitian for SparkPeople, "One egg daily can easily be a part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet for healthy adults." An important exception is for diabetics, who experienced an increased risk of coronary artery disease when consuming greater than six eggs per week. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes, Hand suggests checking with your physician (or dietitian) regarding egg consumption and dietary restrictions.

"Designer" Eggs: Are They Worth the Money? When you go to stock up on eggs, be prepared for an onslaught of choices. Beyond just white and brown, youll see a whole new world of choices in the refrigerator case. Are these designer eggs worth the extra money? It depends on the designer.

This article has been reviewed and approved by Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietitian. Article Source: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=126

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Eggs are Egg-cellent - KRMG