Over the last century, countless doctors and nutritionists have advised people looking to lose weight to “eat less and move more.” Sure, many other popular diet approaches (hello, low-fat, low-carb and keto) have cycled from fad to foe to fad again, but the reigning belief has long been that anyone who is serious about slimming down can, if they simply shrink their portion sizes and hit the gym more often. Yet as straightforward as that solution seems, waistlines have steadily swelled year after year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 42% of adults and 20% of children and adolescents in the United States struggle with obesity (as well as health issues, including a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers that come along with the excess pounds). Inside these pages learn the hard science to weight loss, armed with this knowledge you are sure to reach your goals and more!
THE SCIENCE OF WEIGHT LOSS
THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE • Discover why it’s not changing the way you want it to, the bodily processes that influence it and how our view of weight as a country has changed over time.
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS • Research shows that when it comes to weight loss, there’s not just one path that everyone should take. Finding the strategies that work for your body can help you achieve your unique goals. Here’s how.
UNSCRAMBLING OUR OBSESSION WITH WEIGHT LOSS • For a long time now, Americans have been fixated on thinness. Is that finally changing?
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE GAIN… AND LOSE • While most of us can name at least one unhealthy practice that contributes to a weight increase and a couple of strategies that will help move the scale downward, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that leads to these results. Here, top experts break it all down.
Meet Your Fat Cells
DOUBLE STANDARD • When it comes to weight loss, diet and exercise do seem to play favorites—mostly toward men.
Leveling the Playing Field
THE TRUTH ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS • Uncover the internal and external factors that experts are sure can help or hurt your ability to shed pounds.
WHY ALL CALORIES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL • Wait, has everything we’ve been taught about calories in and calories out been a big fat lie? Dietitians clear up the most common myths, and explain what really matters if you’re trying to lose pounds.
Math on the Menu
THE PERILS OF PROCESSED FOODS • The damage that ultraprocessed and packaged fare can do to your waistline and your overall health is clearer than ever before.
STRATEGICALLY SELECTING SWEETS • Follow these smart schemes for indulging in a healthy way and you’ll continue to drop pounds while satisfying your biggest cravings.
5 Alternative Sweeteners • IF YOU’RE NOT READY TO GIVE UP THE SWEET STUFF IN YOUR COFFEE OR YOUR FAVORITE BAKED DESSERT, TRY ONE OF THESE IN PLACE OF REGULAR SUGAR.
WHY AM I ALWAYS HUNGRY? • Your urge to snack extends beyond your physical needs for food. Here, where it comes from and how to combat it.
STRESS AS SABOTEUR • Chronic tension can set up a vicious cycle of increased junk food cravings, excess fat storage and weight gain. Learn how to break free of the trap.
DIET FAQS • Your burning questions about slimming down, answered.
THE FOOD WE EAT • Learn how the choices you make in the kitchen can help you trim inches, plus the truth about some of today’s most popular weight loss plans.
THE FACTS ON INTERMITTENT FASTING • The popularity of these plans has exploded in recent years. Learn what the science says and if they’re right for you.
A Sample Day • TASTY AND SATIATING MENU INSPIRATION FOR THREE POPULAR FORMS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING.
THE CASE FOR KETO...
