A new study from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has revealed that a stronger start in the first three weeks of a diet program can result in greater weight loss success over the longer-term.
CSIRO said a study of over 22,000 of its Total Wellbeing Diet members showed that those who started strongest in their weight loss journey achieved three and a half times greater total weight loss than those who had a slower start to the 12-week program.
Lead research scientist at CSIRO, Gilly Hendrie said structure, preparation and self-monitoring were the key characteristics demonstrated by the most successful members.
“According to the study, people who lost the most weight in the first three weeks and achieved longer term results on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, allowed themselves an average of two days to prepare for the program and used the online planning and self-monitoring tools 50 per cent more than other users,” Dr Hendrie said
“In those first weeks they weighed in almost twice per week, checked their meal plan and tracked the food in each meal three times a day,” she said.
“In fact, they used the online tools as much as six times a day in their first three weeks of the program.”
Dr Hendrie said preparation was important and people should allow themselves two days to get organised before starting a weight loss program.
“This sets you up for regular check-ins – we found the most successful weight loss occurred when people viewed their meal plans, used the food tracker, looked up foods every day and weighed in regularly to stay engaged and accountable,” she said.
CSIRO’s nine-page report Characteristics associated with greater weight loss success can be accessed at this PS News link.
