Weight management is a prominent concern for millions, with over 52 million Americans actively seeking ways to lose weight. This article explores the weight management strategies employed by Lesley Stahl, a renowned journalist, and delves into various weight-loss approaches, controversies, and the science behind obesity.
Lesley Stahl's Fitness Secret: The "Power of 10"
Lesley Stahl, along with ABC's Barbara Walters, has shared her fitness secret: a once-a-week, 20-minute workout with fitness guru Adam Zickerman. This program, called "Power of 10," revolves around very slow weightlifting. Zickerman claims that this method, involving lifting weights in 10 seconds and lowering them in 10 seconds with no rest in between repetitions, builds muscle efficiently, boosts metabolism, and eliminates the need for cardio.
Stahl, who has been following this program for three years, asserts that it helps her maintain her weight. She also claims to be stronger than most men and can leg press 400 pounds.
Testing the "Power of 10"
To assess the effectiveness of "Power of 10," 48 Hours conducted an experiment with identical twins, Kelli and Vanessa Dunn. Vanessa followed a traditional cardio regimen three to four days a week, while Kelli did "Power of 10" once a week for 20 minutes. Both were instructed to watch their diets.
After five weeks, Kelli lost 15 pounds and 8 inches across her chest, waist, and thighs, while Vanessa lost only 4 pounds and 4 inches. Despite Kelli's success, sports medicine specialist Dr. Jordan Metzl raised concerns about the program's lack of a significant cardiovascular component.
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Controversial Weight Loss Approaches
The article touches upon other controversial weight-loss approaches, including raw food diets and detox programs.
Raw Food Diet
Supermodel Carol Alt advocates for a "raw" food diet, consisting of organically grown, uncooked fruits and vegetables. She believes that cooking destroys enzymes and minerals, and claims that this diet has eliminated her need for aspirin, Tums, and sinus infection medication.
However, University of Southern California food scientist Roger Clemens argues that cooking actually liberates nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.
Detox Programs
The article also explores "de-toxing," a 21-day program involving a strict vegetarian diet that emphasizes raw food, designed to cleanse the body of toxins. Developers John Wood, a nutritionist, and Richard DeAndrea, a medical doctor, claim it's a harmless technique that has been practiced for thousands of years, necessary now more than ever due to the vast amounts of chemicals and neurotoxic waste in the environment.
However, Peter Pressman, a clinical medicine teacher at USC, dismisses it as a myth, warning that repeated detoxing can lead to deficiencies in vital nutrients.
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The Complexities of Obesity
The article sheds light on the complexities of obesity, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting the role of genetics and brain function.
Obesity as a Disease
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford emphasizes that obesity is a brain disease, where the brain regulates food intake and storage. She argues that willpower is not the primary factor in weight management, as the brain defends a certain weight range or "set point."
Dr. Stanford points out that most medical schools don't adequately teach about obesity, even though it's the second leading cause of preventable death in the country after smoking.
The Role of Genetics
Dr. Stanford asserts that genetics play a significant role in obesity. She claims that individuals with parents who have obesity have a 50-85% likelihood of developing the disease themselves, even with optimal lifestyle habits.
However, it's important to note that some sources dispute the claim that obesity is 85% genetic, stating that there is zero evidence to substantiate this statistic.
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Weight Loss Medications
The article discusses new weight loss medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, which have shown promising results in promoting weight loss. These medications, developed by Novo Nordisk, can lead to an average weight loss of 15% to 22%.
However, these drugs are expensive (over $1,300 a month) and are not always covered by insurance companies. Concerns have also been raised about the potential side effects of these medications, such as nausea and vomiting.
The Stigma of Obesity
The article addresses the stigma associated with obesity, highlighting the shame and moral judgment that many individuals with obesity face. Dr. Caroline Apovian emphasizes that obesity is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower.
The article also points out that doctors may have biases towards individuals who are heavier, questioning their eating and exercise habits.