Survey Indicates Lifestyle Change Is More Important Than Diets

After nearly two years and 95 pounds lighter, Lisa Ashmore is a new person. So much so, that she has to remind people who she is.

"I have 'before' and 'after' pictures and I sometimes ask people 'Have you ever seen this woman?'" says Lisa. "And when they say 'No,' I say 'You're lookin' at her!'"

Lisa experienced her dramatic weight loss by going through the Kronos Weight Management program provided by her employer in Tempe. She's living proof that substantial weight loss can be accomplished and maintained by learning to make lifestyle changes. And a recent survey shows that other participants of the 12-week Kronos Weight Management program agree.

"Even though millions of people have tried popular diets, the majority does not keep the weight off," says Susan Kaib, MD, FAAP, medical director of Kronos Optimal Health Company. "And temporary fixes often make matters worse, causing people to lose muscle, gain fat and slow metabolism. Our program focuses on true lifestyle changes which are needed to maintain weight loss."

Among the key findings of the Kronos Weight Management Survey:

-- Of those who lost weight during the 12-week program:

- The average weight loss by the end of the 12-week program was 13 pounds or 6% of the initial body weight (an average of one pound per week)

- Average inches lost in the waist was 1.87 inches

- Six months after the program ended participants maintained their 13 pound (6%) loss

- For those who maintained their loss for more than a year, the average loss was 6.2% or 13.5 pounds and 2 inches off their waistline

- The highest percent loss for an individual was a 26% four months after the program ended (67 pounds, 2.4 pounds per week)

-- 62% said the single most important thing Kronos Weight Management taught them was that weight loss is not based on dieting as much as a lifestyle change

-- 78% and 53%, respectively, were able to maintain improved nutrition and exercise long after the program ended

The Kronos Weight Management program involves 12 weekly seminars by a trained, health professional, either in person or via a web seminar, educating and coaching the group about healthier lifestyle choices rather than just a strict diet. A sampling of data was collected from 67 respondents to the survey.

The range for healthy weight loss as determined by the American Medical Association is 5 to 10 percent of a person's body weight over a six month period. Most experts agree that a 5-10 percent weight loss can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar control.