A Two Fold Plan for Loosing Weight.

The combination of dietary restriction plus planned exercise is of tremendously interwoven advantage:

1. Weight is lost sensibly and safely.

2. Weight is lost from the right places. Again, this is not Muscle Beach propaganda, but let's admit that well-pressed clothes look better on a reasonable physique.

Before embarking on the specifics for the dumpy person, two unfair and dangerous escapisms of the obese should be viewed. One face-saving gambit for the chubby is to claim large bones and a large frame. While differences in body proportions are indeed important, the height and weight statistics for skeletons of various sizes are remarkably similar. Skeletons of a given height tend to weigh the same. And second, how often we hear of "poor fat Mrs. So-and-so—she has trouble with her glands." Yes, she does, but with her salivary glands!

Once you and your doctor have decided you are overweight although being honest, you are the best judge then the principles for weight reduction are clear and easily understood.

How Effective Are Crash Diets?

Webster defines starvation as the act of perishing with hunger. Sudden and drastic starvation is obviously hazardous to properly functioning mental and physical processes. While evidences of frank malnutrition may not appear, the subtle manifestations of decreased total efficiency soon supervene. No wonder that physicians deplore "crash diets." Moreover, crash diets offer the poorest hope for long-range victory.

For safe and successful dieting, plan to lose perhaps two but no more than three pounds a week. If twenty-five pounds below your present weight is your goal, spread this over a three-month period. Crash diets may seem a good idea but they are not usually very successful and are more likely to be harmful to you.

When to begin your program hinges on when you feel ready. But it can be made easier if you act on the spur of the moment—preceded by weeks or months of debating. Everyday occurrences may suddenly nudge you over the brink of complacency. Perhaps you find that a tuxedo shucked out of mothballs for the Fireman's Ball has shrunk since last winter. Or you find your adipose tissue is overflowing the contours of your favourite cocktail dress. Worse yet, an adorable yet observing youngster may be curious about the wheezing and sagging display of your transport up the staircase. Seemingly inconsequential stimuli may trigger off your "action" button. A patient of mine had been mulling over his drinking habits for several months. One day at a party the host's child exclaimed, "Gee, I love Mr. R.—he's so funny when he's drunk." He has been on the wagon since.