Readers Share the Surprising Truth About Weight Loss

Dear Natural Health Solutions Reader,

Two weeks ago, I titled my Natural Health Solutions email: “The Weight Loss Myth: Why You’re Most Certainly Doing It All Wrong.”

I pointed out that a recent large study confirmed that Americans are exercising more than ever… but they’re also getting fatter at the same time.

The reason?

According to British cardiologist Aseem Malhotra: “When people exercise, they stimulate their appetites, spurring them to eat more than they would have without working out.”

I pointed out that research confirms this: Diet changes — specifically, lowering carbohydrate and boosting fat intake — are vastly more effective weight loss strategies than simply exercising more.

This is not to say exercise is valueless…

Exercise boosts muscle mass and lowers the risk of numerous health conditions.

But as a method of dropping excess pounds? It’s lousy.

At the end of the email, I asked NHS readers who’ve had weight loss success to let me know which tactic had been more effective: more exercise or diet changes.

I was absolutely fascinated to discover universal agreement among you about what works…

Today, I want to share some of these success stories.

Those of you who are looking to lose weight but are unsure of which strategy to pursue, perhaps these letters from fellow NHS readers will tip the scales for you.

(Lastly, I just want thank all of you who wrote in to tell me of your experience. I appreciated every email.)

Weight Loss Success Stories

“I am 82,” writes Jerry:

“and went from 193 down to 160. I was exercising about the same at both weights. Stopped a diet of mostly carbs and started fats, proteins. It took six months to break away from mostly carbs.”

John writes:

“Weight loss exercise like walking (fast) and jogging hasn’t reduced my fat by much… The biggest factor for losing weight is what goes into my mouth. On March 4, 2015, I weighed 192 lbs. I gave up all wheat products and sugar/sweets/pastries on April 4, 2015. I [now] weigh 162 lbs. and feel great. No man boobs, no love handles, and a 4-inch-smaller waist.”

More confirmation from Bill:

“I have lost 30 pounds, from 195 to 165, in three months, mostly due to a change in eating habits — eating far more saturated fats (60% of my calories — especially coconut oil, olive oil, and grass-fed meats) and very low carbohydrates (10% of calories — no breads, gluten, or starches). I not only lost weight, but reduced blood pressure and bad cholesterol and eliminated acid reflux, and am no longer on prescription drugs for those prior issues!”

“Absolutely and without reservation,” writes William:

“it was diet change. I am unable to exercise, but I did change how and what I eat and have gone from 289 lbs. to 265.”

From Mike:

“Read your latest weight loss article and totally agree with you 100%. Exercise is not the key to losing weight. Healthy food choices in conjunction with a cut in actual food intake is definitely the way to go… You’d be surprised how little food your body needs to sustain itself, but don’t forget to try to rebuild some of that muscle you lost with all that weight. Exercise is great, but nutrition is the key.”

Perhaps this is getting redundant, but I can’t resist a few more:

“Now that I’ve reached 65 years old,” says Brian:

“I have an ankle that is in dire need of replacement, so my activity levels have slowed down. But I’ve found that eating much less white flour products, as you’ve strongly suggested, and subbing with no-carb breads has given me more energy, leading to higher levels of activity… I guess my summary would be to get excited about projects that require activity and don’t worry about exercise for weight reasons, but do get on the strength exercise programs for muscle mass.”

John writes:

“I believe that in my case, diet wins by a wide margin. At 67, with a number of past health issues and injuries, exercising like I did when younger — 50s and before — is not possible, yet. Statins hurt me significantly. So I substantially reduced carbs, eliminating breads and any processed foods and sugars. I have added the breakfast that you and Nate described last month: eggs, bacon, avocado, olive oil, and lemon juice three-four days a week. A work in progress, and it is not only educational, it is fun. The big plus is that I’m not on any prescription meds and have excellent blood work. Doctor said last week I was the best he’s seen in 12 years. So the diet wins.”

And finally, one from our own, Jasmine LeMaster of Laissez Faire’s Living Well:

“It’s funny — the whole ‘Eat less and exercise more’ did work for me — for a while. I lost 25 pounds in five months, mainly by running a lot (seven hours a week) and counting calories (averaging around 1,200 each day, with less during the week and more on the weekends). It certainly worked. Counting calories always has for me. But even with all that running, my body didn’t look the way I wanted it to. I was slimmer, yes, but still ‘flabby.’

“So I started lifting weights and stopped running so much. (I also was worn-out and facing a bunch of health issues, indicating I was overtraining and undereating.) My body started to change, looking less flabby and more toned. But the scale started to go up. I tried not to worry too much about it, thinking I was just putting on muscle. But then I made the best diet change of my life, both for my weight and my health.

“I cut out all grains. I cut out legumes. I cut back on fruit. And I upped my fat intake.

“Now I lift weights about twice a week, walk for about an hour a day, and do some cardio once or twice a week. I still use MyFitnessPal to track my calorie and nutrient intake.

“My weight is stable, my body is less flabby, and my health has improved dramatically. My skin looks amazing, and my hair loss stopped. Fat is some good stuff!”

I’m always hungry for feedback of any kind… general impressions of the newsletter, subjects you want to see covered, stories of personal successes or challenges — in short, whatever is on your mind in the world of physical and mental health.

Send it all to [email protected].

Thank you!

Brad Lemley
Editor, Natural Health Solutions