Ambitious slimmers who set tough targets in bid to lose weight ‘shed twice the flab’ and nearly ‘fifth of body weight’, study claims
Those losing weight should 'shoot for the moon' after new research shows encouraging results
SLIMMERS who set ambitious targets lose twice as much weight as those with more realistic ambitions.
A study found those who have the toughest goals shed almost a fifth of their body weight.
That was almost double the amount lost by other dieters.
Now obesity experts want changes to current NHS guidelines which suggest slimmers set themselves a “realistic” weight-loss target of five to ten per cent.
Instead they want people to aim for their “dream weight” after the dramatic results involving 24,000 Slimming World members followed for a year.
The participants, who attended weekly sessions, all had a body mass index of at least 30 which put them in the obese category.
Those whose aim was to lose less than ten per cent of their body weight did typically achieve their goal, shedding an average of 11 per cent. That’s equivalent to 1st 11lb for someone who weighs 16st.
But those who set the most ambitious targets lost almost twice as much weight overall — an average of 19 per cent in a year, or 3st 1lb for someone weighing 16st.
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In the UK around a quarter of people are obese.
The NHS traditionally advises slimmers to avoid making ambitious goals for fear it could lead to disappointment, decreased effort and people eventually giving up.
But the new research suggests rather than trying to protect them from disappointment health experts should instead be encouraging slimmers to 'shoot for the moon' and get support to achieve their goals.
Prof Amanda Avery, a nutritionist at Nottingham University, said: “We know current advice around realistic weight loss targets is designed to protect slimmers from disappointment.
“However, suggesting people place limits on their weight loss aims could stop people from seeing what they’re capable of.”