Keeping the Pounds Off!

According to an article in the December 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, you can drop the pounds and feel great, the goal is keeping it off. Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research tracked 348 volunteers who had lost an average of 19 pounds.  Participants were encouraged to visit a special website regularly to  record their weight, exercise habits, and other variables.  At the end of the 30 months experiment, those who logged in at least once a month maintained the largest weight lost 9 out of 19 pounds on average).  People who used the site less often kept off just 3-5 pounds.  Creating a track record may make people more accountable, upping the odds they'll stick to a healthy regimen, says study coauthor Kristine L. Funk, R.D.  To reap the benefits, look for a weight-loss website that allows you to set goals, track or progress, and solicit tailored advice.