As you may know, I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the Mayo Clinic Bariatric Center in Jacksonville, Florida. While there, they performed many tests, including my resting energy expenditure (REE) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). These terms are sometimes used interchangeably though there are slight differences. REE includes some lowContinue reading “Basal Metabolic Rate / Resting Energy Expenditure – Calculations and Accuracy”
Category Archives: Introductory Material
Weighing In on That
How often should you weigh in to check your maintenance progress? Short answer: it depends on the individual. For the long answer, read below to find out what studies and experts suggest. But in the end, it still comes down to what you feel is best for you! I weigh myself daily, though I’ve beenContinue reading “Weighing In on That”
BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios
Many experts agree that weight and body mass index (BMI) are insufficient to assess our health. This is because exercise, which is clearly healthy, builds muscle mass. Muscle is significantly more dense than fat, so it is possible to gain weight and actually be thinner and healthier than you were at a lower weight. BMIContinue reading “BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios”
Tracking
According to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, tracking meals and snacks is one of the most important components of our weight loss programs (1). It’s so easy to leave out those hidden calories that can derail our plans if we’re not being mindful. Just a few added snacks or beverages can really add up ifContinue reading “Tracking”
Conflicts of Interest
Whenever possible, I will include journal articles (or reports based on their studies) as support for what I write in my blog posts. There are several reasons for this: As a person whose background is in economics, it’s that last one that is most meaningful to me. I am always wondering. “What’s in it forContinue reading “Conflicts of Interest”
Measuring & Weighing Foods
I read an interesting question recently on Facebook. A dieter had made some very healthy changes in her eating, yet she was only losing a pound per week. She didn’t know why her loss was so slow, since she was at a relatively high weight. After telling her that a pound per week was actuallyContinue reading “Measuring & Weighing Foods”
The School of Hard Diets
The opinions below are based on my personal experiences. Please work with your doctor or registered dietician to find a plan that will work for your individual needs. Like most Americans who have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight, I’ve embarked on countless diets. I started early, when I actually was not overweight but believedContinue reading “The School of Hard Diets”
Loving Yourself Healthy
I first heard about this concept while listening to the Mindset programming on the 99Walks app. You can read a bit more about this app here: https://lindawbrowning.com/2022/12/10/habits-exercise-walking/ There is useful material in every section of 99Walks, but the listening section is particularly helpful. These are similar to podcasts which you listen to as you walk.Continue reading “Loving Yourself Healthy”
Sustainability
You’ve likely heard this term before, often involving environmental issues. But the same concepts can be applied to many aspects of our lives, including weight maintenance. Can we continuously support our dietary, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits? I’m not writing about eco-friendly eating here, though it’s definitely a concern. I want to keep thisContinue reading “Sustainability”
Quitters Day? Ditch Resolutions Day? No Way!
In an earlier blog post, I mentioned that the vast majority of New Year’s Resolutions are broken. Here’s a link: https://lindawbrowning.com/2022/12/29/be-part-of-the-9/ But maybe the most surprising part is that they are often broken three weeks into the new year! According to a study by Strava, the world’s largest sports community, January 19 is the dayContinue reading “Quitters Day? Ditch Resolutions Day? No Way!”
Coursework: Understanding Obesity Unit 1 of 3
In order to understand the struggles of maintaining a healthy weight, I tried several classes on the website and app, Coursera. Most of their training is free unless you need a certificate. For some, you can even take the exams and write the required essays without paying any fees. So this is what I did.Continue reading “Coursework: Understanding Obesity Unit 1 of 3”
Can AI Help with Weight Maintenance?
Perhaps you have heard about artificial intelligence and the new chatbot ChatGPT. It opens up many exciting possibilities as well as some scary ones. The control and flow of knowledge is certainly a concern, but it can also be a great aid to us in many ways. After listening to the December 16, 2022 NewContinue reading “Can AI Help with Weight Maintenance?”
Help Is Available!
What happens when the scale doesn’t greet you with a victory every week? Each day is nearly the same – denying yourself the treats you long to eat but with no quantifiable progress. Does anyone mention that you are looking so much better at this point? When you try on new clothes, are you excitedContinue reading “Help Is Available!”
Don’t Do What I Did!
Don’t do what I did – that is don’t wait for a medical emergency to maintain your healthy weight. Fear may be an effective motivator, but it is a dangerous one. I’ve been successful at weight maintenance twice, and each time that success was partly due to medical issues. The first was after a TransientContinue reading “Don’t Do What I Did!”
Perspectives on Appearance
Is this a little off topic, or our eating disorders built upon the foundation of things such as this? I am referring to the new artificial intelligence app called Lensa. My Facebook feed is positively inundated with these images, which are attractive, but unattainable in reality. How do contrived images as these affect our perceptionsContinue reading “Perspectives on Appearance”
Problem Solving
I have recently begun a new journey, but not the weight loss journey that 45 million Americans embark upon annually (1). For my journey, there are few guidebooks, maps, or reviews from those who have gone before me. Yet, it is to a place where most of us long to be. Where do you goContinue reading “Problem Solving”
Maintain Weight Loss 