The only way to loseexcess fatweight is to cut down on the calories you take in, increase your physical activity, or do both. Oh, sure. You could get a leg amputated, develop hyperthyroidism or out-of-control diabetes, or have liposuction or bariatric surgery. But you get my drift. Although the exercise portion of the energy balance equation is somewhat optional, you must reduce food intake to lose a significant amount of weight. Once you reach your goal weight you will be able to return to nearly your current calorie consumption, and even higher consumption if you have increased your muscle mass and continue to be active. Are you be able to reduce calorie intake and increase your physical activity temporarily? It comes down to whether we have free will. Free will is the power, attributed especially to humans, of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as divine will. Will is the mental faculty by which one chooses or decides upon a course of action; volition. Willpower is the strength of will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans. If we don’t have free will, you’re wasting time trying to lose weight through dieting; nothing will get your weight problem under control. Even liposuction and weight-reduction stomach surgery will fail in time if you are fated to be fat. The existence of free will is confirmed for me by my education in religion and philosophy, my intuition, and most prominently, by my experience. I have seen hundreds of my patients lose weight and keep it under control. I didn’t do it for them. No other person, pill, or agency did it for them. They didn’t achieve success by being passive victims of external circumstances. They cut back on calories and increased activity levels through strength of will. They did it. Read about other success stories at The National Weight Control Registry. You can enhance your willpower and commitment to losing weight by learning about:
how your body needs various nutrients
how your body stores excess energy intake as fat
how your body can convert fat to energy as needed for physical activity and metabolism
All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status. Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.