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INTRODUCTION
We live in a sea of calories. Never before in history have so many calories been so well advertised, so widely available, and so inexpensive. How do you lose weight? In our current environment this seemingly simple question is a quandary for millions of people. There are multitudes of books on the subject and seemingly everyone has an opinion. The number one answer to this question is, "Eat right and exercise." Everyone knows this to be true. But it's not working; more and more people are gaining more and more weight. At what point is conventional wisdom to be questioned? Perhaps the number one answer isn't true, but prevailing myths, vested interests, and emotional sensitivities make it too difficult to question. Are you tired of the theory du jour for weight loss? This book takes you beyond theory to what actually works, as gleaned from years of work with anorexics and the overweight.
You are in the fight of your life. One front of this war is a multi-billion dollar industry determined to increase profit margins. You are not to blame for succumbing to one of the most thoroughly successful advertising campaigns in history. Yet you may be paying for their success with a weight problem. Capitalizing on the increased stress of fast-paced, contemporary society by using a sophisticated psychological understanding of people and the latest in marketing strategies, the fast food industry has infiltrated the collective psyche and altered our behavior.
We will explore the powerful effects their savvy marketing has on you, thus developing an awareness to arm you in fighting overweight. Why hasn't this story been told? A cynic might suggest that since the media profits immensely from the high dollars spent on advertising they have a vested interest in not letting the story get out. We suspect, on the other hand, that the effects of the advertising are so subtle, yet powerfully persuasive, that it takes a unique perspective to see the effect.
On another front is the weight loss industry itself. With celebrity endorsers, pills, drinks, pre-packaged foods, fad diets, books, exercise schemes, TV shows, and millions and millions of advertising dollars—which program do you believe? This book will explain the theory behind each of the major players, and describe why each one works, and how each one fails. That’s right, traditional weight loss programs have about a three percent long-term success rate. To make matters worse, the United States government is actually providing approved nutritional advice that actually promotes overweight. We will explore the assumptions inherent in the food pyramid that actually increase weight. So it really is up to you, and this book can help.
A special note to women. While the knowledge and techniques in this book are universally applicable to both men and women, women face certain pressures regarding their bodies that men simply do not. A tragic component of this fact is that some women go to pathological extremes to manage their weight in the form of anorexia or other eating disorders. Anorexics know a lot about weight management and are obsessed by it. Anorexics use this knowledge in unhealthful ways.
Anorexia is a truly awful disease, claiming the life of an estimated one thousand anorexics per year in the United States. But overweight is far more pervasive, killing 300,000 Americans every year, dwarfing all but tobacco in terms of major killers. Because many anorexics are extremely sensitive to, and responsive to, societies' expectations and standards for women's weight, there is a righteous indignation (backlash) when it comes to weight loss. We are in full concert with the notion that there is far too much emphasis on appearance and weight for women in our culture. Having said that, we don't believe it is conscionable to hold back valuable information for the many who can lose weight and keep it off without succumbing to an eating disorder.
Many people are dieting, few truly successfully, anyway. Not having sound knowledge about weight management actually increases the number of eating disorders as people struggle any way they can to manage their weight. Should society's values be questioned? Absolutely. But not at the expense of keeping knowledge from people who need and want it. The knowledge this book offers is powerful; use it wisely.
Overweight is the second biggest killer in America, and is on course to become the number one killer. It is a complex behavioral disorder. As such, it must follow the same general laws of all other behavior. “Eat right and exercise” simply isn’t cutting it. Use the latest scientific knowledge in this book, published and marketed to the sophisticated who are able to question what isn’t working, and find their own empowering solutions. If you’re prepared to question prevailing myths, challenge vested interests, and have the courage to examine your own sensitivities, this book is for you. Psychologists help people free themselves from dysfunctional behavior and help them reach their goals. Become your own psychologist, arm yourself with powerful knowledge, increase your awareness, and successfully manage your weight. This book can free you and help you reach your goals.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2121/Weigth-Loss-Guide-0821063
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