Inside The Mindset Shift Behind Americans Losing Weight

A Mayo Clinic diet study found that American’s weight loss strategy has changed since the pandemic, with many people now saying they want to lose weight for their health, rather than for appearances. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports for TODAY on the surprising study results, and NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar dives deeper into the top three diet aspirations.

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#Health #Wellness #Exercise

[Charles-_-]

We as a nation just need to get rid of processed, fast and sugar filled foods. We don’t need all the junk unhealthy food everywhere we look.

[fit_warrior_over]

I’ve lost 52 lbs when I first started my weight loss journey 5 years ago. I started as soon as I turned 40. I did the research, started drinking green smoothies everyday, started drinking nothing but water and green tea with lemon, and I walked every single day even when I traveled on business. I’m 45 now and I’m still maintaining my weight loss, I definitely eat healthier everyday, and I can deadlift 370 lbs. I’m a grandmother of 3 and I also have them drinking green smoothies since they were all a year old and they are 3, 6, and 7 now. I refuse to be unhealthy because our children and our grand children learn from us, we set the tone.

[CheerfulNihilism]

I wasn't successful at getting fit until I let go of the focus on the scale and instead focused on body composition changes. I lost a little less than 20 lbs over the past year, but all of that was fat, and I gained muscle. So the number on the scale didn't change much but my body has transformed!

[BelieveInMyDaydreams]

I'm in the process of losing weight and this definitely hit home for me. I spent years not happy with the way I looked and trying one thing after another, failing and hating myself for it. It wasn't until I actually got to a place of feeling relatively good about how I looked and existed in the world that I finally started making progress losing weight. I was able to approach it as something positive I was doing for myself to feel better and be able to do more without all of the negative feelings and self hatred from when I just couldn't stand the way I looked. Covid was also definitely motivation. So much about the situation is out of our control but this was something I could do for myself to make the possibility of getting it less scary. I'm hopeful for the first time that I can reach my goals and stay healthier.

[MelissaBackwoods]

As someone who has struggled with body dysmorphia and relapse through eating disorders, I have learned that losing weight to look a certain way will never satisfy you! I’m glad that America is starting to change its mindset on what defines beauty and that is being healthy!

[lisabradford]

when i was in my 20's it was all about looking better. now that i'm older it's about being healthier and i've been more successful than i was when it was about vanity.

[goodaskale]

This is a positive, informative, enjoyable segment.

[yusuftamanna]

Honestly, what helped me with my relationship to health and fitness was seeing it as a long term lifestyle change rather than a shortcut to reach a certain goal by a certain date. I often found if I gave myself a timeline, say 'I need to lose 10 pounds by June', once I did reached that goal I lost motivation to keep going becase I completed it. I also like to think all the mindful eating and excercise I am doing now is me being kinder to my older self in advance. I'm 32 now and I want to make sure by the time I'm 62 I can still move around and enjoy my life!

[noobchillz]

I've heard that patients have more success with weight loss when they focus on the health reasons instead of perceived physical attractiveness.

[miriamhdez]

Al Roker kicked off a 30 minute a day walking challenge in 2021 and disgusted with mental health benefits. At, the time I was struggling with anxiety and had gained my fair share of weight during quarantine. Well, thanks to Al those 30 minutes turned into an hour and I’m down 35 pounds. But, more importantly my mental and physical health have significantly improved.

[ks]

I was an overweight binge eater and my sister was anorexic. It wasn’t until we shifted our perspective to overall health and wellness, both mentally and physically, with an emphasis on getting stronger, that we started to heal. I’m down 50 lbs and she’s up by 15 lbs and has joined CrossFit. We’re both doing really good!

[rl]

I workout for mental health. Physical health is the secondary benefit

[Followmybliss]

I stopped eating gluten and grains after reading wheat belly and it stopped my autoimmune issues.

[fizzimajig]

I lost 108 pounds and have been maintaining that loss for the last year or longer. Eventually I’d like to lose another 30 but I am constantly learning how to maintain my weight loss and adjust to different ways of living and that is most important to me to keep off what I’ve already lost before I even worry about losing more. My health has improved dramatically from my weight loss and improved fitness. Like night and day better quality of life!

[coramoyer]

I believe many people focused on losing weight because they were trying to fit a standard that was outdated, especially for some ethnic groups.

Once they realized the standards were not meant for them they decided to be healthy without meeting an outdated standard. That is why the new movement isn’t about weight and height, but health and fitness.

[EarlyBirdCraft]

In the early 2000s we had Victoria Beckham, Amy Winehouse, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Victoria Secret models set the standard of beauty. Britney Spears’ weight was controversial and some people said she was fat🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m far from glorifying obesity however extremely skinny is just as unhealthy and I’m glad we graduated from that mentality as a society.

[samanthaporter]

Most Americans are so out of shape and depressed they are actually willing to do ANYTHING to feel I know that this was why I just lost 90 pounds over the last 3 years....

[ald]

I was always a skinny guy until I got into my 40s. Habits simply have to change at that age. My 2 cents of what works for me:
Cut out processed junk, fast food, and sugars. Eat real food, eat balanced!
Intermittent fasting.
Keep your exercise interesting. I like kettlebells and a heavy bag.

[MrQuestful]

I’m convinced that the best way to lose weight is to integrate exercise as a daily activity. 4 yrs ago I was 200lbs, then I started cycling everyday as my mode of transit. This had a seismic shift in my fitness. I’m now about 165lbs and capable of many hours in the saddle. This experience has reinforced the idea that most of society is over reliant on vehicles, and people should bike more for their health and for our impact on the planet.

[davidbarahona]

I did weight loss surgery. Best decision of my life. I’m down 93 pounds. 303 and now 210