> For instance, the contestants on the “Biggest Loser” TV show became paragons of self-control; some shed more than 100 pounds, something very few of us could e

> For instance, the contestants on the “Biggest Loser” TV show became paragons of self-control; some shed more than 100 pounds, something very few of us could ever achieve. And yet a recent study showed that even these incredibly disciplined dieters gained all the weight back. This study has now become quite famous but it should be noted that the participants where given no help after the show and not surprisingly went back to their old habits. > “Unfortunately, many contestants are unable to find or afford adequate ongoing support with exercise doctors, psychologists, sleep specialists, and trainers — and that’s something we all need to work hard to change,” -- from http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-we... One participant did manage to keep most of the weight off but only through persistence. I feel for those with real genetic disorders but for most of us we can lose weight and keep it off. New York Times articles which tell us that it's not our fault, that it's genetics, leptin, metabolism, aging, etc. are exceedingly popular but for most of the population these are just excuses. Here us how you do it. Drop your daily calories to a very low but still safe level (1500 or less) by counting and writing down the calories of everything you eat. Do this for at least two months. Then start an exercise cycle where you do an hour of highly strenuous cardio at least five days a week. Continue for at least two months. Then go back to dieting. Repeat until you hit your goal weight. Then you can relax until your weight creeps up 10-15 lbs at which point you start the cycle again. This is what it takes for an average person in our modern society to stay healthy. If this seems extreme consider that for thousands of years most of our ancestors endured much more physical exertion on a regular basis and on less calories. We live in a world of excess which is in itself a sufficient explanation for our obesity problem. Excluding of course those few people who actually suffer from weight related diseases.