The 10% Solution
You May Not Need to Lose as Much as You Thought
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer
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Before you answer that question, let’s talk about what failure means.
A recent study found that, in the nonsensical weight loss world, most failure has more to do with failing to meet faulty expectations than with failing to lose weight. This may not seem like a big difference, but in reality, it’s HUGE.
In other words, you may be experiencing success, but still feel like you’re failing. So, we must find a way to use our expectations to motivate rather than to berate.
According to the study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the average "Dream" weight loss is 38% of the dieter’s current weight. Also:
- a 31% weight loss would make the average dieter "Happy"
- a 25% weight loss would be "Acceptable".
- a 15.7% weight loss would be "Disappointing".
No wonder there are so many frustrated dieters out there. They may be frustrated even when their programs are working!
The 10% Solution
To bring expectations more in line with reality, many health professionals are beginning to suggest setting a 10% weight loss goal instead. Losing just 10% of your current weight can boost your energy and performance, lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, lower your cholesterol, and build some much-needed momentum. On top of that, 10% may be a better goal than 15%, 25% or even 38% for many reasons:
