The 4 Habits of People Who Have Lost Weight— And Kept It Off

Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off is the true challenge. That's why researchers from Brown Medical School and the University of Colorado started a database called the National Weight ControlRegistry, which tracks more than 5,000 people who have lost an average of 66 lbs and kept it off for more than five years— without gastric bypass surgery. Through communicating with this group of successful weight-loss losers, they've identified four things people who keep the weight off have in common:

Eating breakfast: Seventy eight percent fit it in daily. Other research has shown that people who regularly skip breakfast are statistically 4.5 times more likely to be overweight, and people who eat breakfasttend to eat fewer calories all day. And it just makes sense with how our bodies work: We tend to be more active during the day and meals and snack are meant to fuel the hours after the meal. In other words, when you eat the bulk of your food in the evening when your activity level is low, you don't need all that fuel, and you can't retroactively burn it, which means the surplus gets sent straight to your fat cells. Myfavorite breakfast lately? I mince a fresh apple or pear (skin on), place it in a bowl and top with a dash of apple pie spice, a quarter cup of toasted rolled oats and 2 tablespoons of sliced almonds. It's delicious with my soy latte, which I spruce up with a pinch of ground vanilla bean. 

Weighing in: Seventy five percent of this group weigh themselves at least once a week. Some research shows that daily weighing can be beneficial for long-termweight control, but it's important to know that it's normal for your body weight to fluctuate from day to day or hour to hour. For example, if you have a meal that'ssaltier than usual, you'll retain more water, which can cause your weight to creep up until your body can flush out the excess sodium and fluid (16 ounces of water weighs one pound). But weekly weigh-ins can give you a sense of your body's usual pattern, and that's important because if you see a change from what's typical, you can make the connection about what's happening and address it right away. You may realize you're eating out more often, or not paying as much attention to portionsizes. That kind of detection system may be an important key to keeping the weight off. If you don't like weighing yourself because you get too caught up in the numbers, choose a pair of pants or jeans to serve as your "measuring stick." If they start to feel too tight, take a closer look at your habits.   

Turning off the TV: Sixty two percent watch less than 10 hours of TV per week. This is a big one. We tend to burn fewer calories while watching TV than we do reading or even sleeping. I call it the "TV trance." And of course there are numerous ads for food, which is probably why studies show that people eat between 30 and 70 percent more while watching TV. I have friends who don't own TVs, but to me certain shows serve as stress relievers that make me laugh, or feel like a mini-escape from deadlines and bills. But I do watch far less than 10 hours a week, and I try to do something active while I'm enjoying The Walking Dead or Psych, even if it's just folding laundry or ironing.

Exercise: Ninety percent of this group exercises on average about one hour per day. That sounds like a lot, especially because according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly active, and 25 percent aren't active at all. But that 60 minutes doesn't have to be all at once. It can be 15 minutes before work, 15 minutes carved out of your lunch break, and 30 minutes in the evening after dinner. And it doesn't have to involve going to the gym. It can be walking (my preference), riding a bike, or even dancing.

Have you ever lost weight but gained it all (or even more) back again? If so, did you struggle with any of the habits above? Or have you lose weight and kept it off? Please share your thoughts here or tweet them to @cynthiasass and@Shape_Magazine!

Cynthia Sass is a registered dietitian with master's degrees in both nutrition science and public health. Frequently seen on national TV, she's a SHAPE contributing editor and nutrition consultant to the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays. Her latest New York Times best seller is Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches

Top 10 Must Watch Documentaries

There are certain shows that blur the line of movies and TV series that provides fascinating stories, amazing insights, mesmerizing shots, and fresh approach that are usually apart what is seen in common point of view. Documentaries are either short movies or feature length shows that lets you see worlds that are beyond the usual limits of reality. Whether these kinds of documentaries are theological, archaeological, sociological, psychological, physical, emotional, or unreal, your only expression of these titles is awe and astonishment. Check the 10 must watch documentaries that are worth your time and 10 cents.

10. Born Into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids

Photojournalists Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman took a journey in Calcutta’s Red Light District, where they met children, in which they gave special attention to. The kids have been trained to photography where they have captured different pictures while living in brothels. Photos have created their own stories.

9. ReGeneration

It’s not a show about genetics or medical nanotechnology, but this is more particular with age groups that belong to Generation X and Generation Y. You will see predicaments that affect the youth and young adults in becoming apathetic to various issues that affect the world they live in.

8. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

See how the events unfold for the West Memphis Three, namely Jessie Misskelley, Jason Baldwin, and Damien Echols after they have been accused of murder and mutilation to other three boys, whose bodies have been found in Robin Hood Hills.

7. Encounters at the End of the World

This documentary from Werner Herzog is not about Armageddon or Apocalypse, but about his journey to Antarctica. He shoots animal life in this deserted Tundra, knowing that it may be gone very soon.

6. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about His Father

How will you tell a son about his father who had been killed before he was even born? This is the question being answered in this documentary where different people have been asked about the identity of the dad, all being covered in a tape, acting as a letter to the son.

5. Soundtrack for a Revolution

Experiencing discrimination and bigotry was never worse in the United States, especially when the “Whites” and the “Blacks” have been separating each other due to sub-standards. You can even see an old footage where a young black man has been beaten by white men, while playing music like “I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table,” “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize,” and “We Shall Overcome,” which stirs your soul for revolution.

4. The Union: The Business behind Getting High

Even though drug selling and using is prohibited by law, it can be very strange how the industry of selling and growing marijuana keeps on growing like a plant with an evil root. The documentary takes you to a walk in the drug black market and seeing all the people involved in this wicked business.

3. The Fourth Revolution: Energy Autonomy

If you are having a hard time imagining what the world could be with nothing but the utilization of renewable energy, then watching this documentary can convince you that using the sun, the wind, and the waters are more than enough to sustain modern day living, away from pollution and planet degradation.

2. Man on Wire

Philippe Petit has performed a feat that is less than a circus act but it is more daring than magic shows by David Copperfield. He is a French wire walker, a juggler, and a performer that walked from one end of the World Trade Center to the other. Just imagine 45 minutes of staying in the air, 417 meters from the ground, walking, juggling, kneeling, and even lying on the wire, with nothing underneath!

1. Cave of Forgotten Dreams

See director Werner Herzog and a team of researchers get into a cave that has been discovered in 1994. What’s amazing about the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc in France? This is a place where ancient drawings are protected, preserved, and secured. The location is so sensitive that minimal heat should be inside, as it may decay and erase prehistoric masterpieces.

Top 10 Funny Bollywood Movies in 2011

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This year Bollywood Film Industry has witnessed a mixed reactons regarding their films. After a successful first month when all the films released in January were declared as hit, then there werenumber of flops which followed them. Well in this course, all the developers of the films have make sure that the comedy films must always be on top. So this year there were a lot comedy movies released. Some of them did well and some were flops and some were surprise hits. So here I have gathered the information of those ten films that are so far the funniest comedy movies released this year. This list includes those ten hilarious movies that have won the heart of the audiences and were also commercially successful. So let’s begin with number 10 to number 1.

10. Chalo Dilli:

Chalo Dill is a road comedy movie starring Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak in the lead roles. This film is about the journey of two individuals who travels together from Mumbai to Delhi and discovers the colors of India including many funny sequences. Akshay Kumar makes a special appearance in this film. This film is also among the best comedy movies of 2011.

9. F.A.L.T.U:

Another surprise comedy hit of this year F.A.L.T.U. This film stars Jackky Bhagnani, Puja Gupta, Arshad Warsi and Ritesh Deshmukh in the lead roles. This film became popular especially among the young audiences and the idea of this film was praised.

8. Bheja Fry 2:

Vinay Pathak returns in the second part of Bheja Fry series and this time he teams up with Kay Kay Menon in a hilarious comedy ride Bheja Fry 2. This film also stars Minisha Lambha and Suresh Menon and was one of the funniest films of 2011. This film met with great critical acclaim and Vinay Pathak was praised for his comic timing.

7. Tanu Weds Manu:

The surprise hit of this year starring R. Madhavan and Kangna Ranaut. This film is a typical romantic comedy film focusing on two lovely people. This film performed above expectations in the box office and was well received by the critics and audiences.

6. Thank You:

Once again Akshay Kumar delivered one of the funniest films of this year. He along with Bobby Deol, Sunil Shetty and Irfan Khan produced the perfect comedy movie with the female leads including Sonam Kapoor, Rimi Sen and Celina Jaitley. This film had a successful run both critically and commercially.

5. Buddha… Hoga Terra Baap:

Amitabh Bacchan returns in his angry young man mode. The only difference is that he is older this time. Buddha… Hoga Terra Baap is a combination of action, emotions and comedy and his film was very well received by the audience and critics. This film was also very successful in box-office.

4. Delhi Belly:

Delhi Belly is an adult comedy film with adult languages and content starring Imran Khan, Kunaal Roy Kapoor and Vir Das in the pivotal roles. This film became a huge hit especially among the teenage audience and was given 5 out of 5 stars by the critics. This film was also successful in the box office doing a solid business.

3. Double Dhamaal:

Doulble Dhamaal is the sequel of the 2007 hit film Dhamaal. Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Jaaved Jaaferi and Ashish Chaudhary reprised their roles from the first film with the new addition of Malika Sherawat, Kangna Ranaut and Satish Kaushik. This film became of the biggest comedy hit and as expected this film was well received by the critics and audiences.

2. Yamla Pagla Deewana:

Can you imagine? The three action studs delivered one of the best comedy films of the year and they are none other than the three Deols. Yes I am talking about Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. The family reunites for the second time and produced one of the hilarious movies Yamla Pagla Deewana. This film was a huge success both critically and commercially.

1. Ready:

After Dabangg and Wanted, Salman Khan once again delivered his very best and gave one of the biggest hit of the year. Ready is a one crazy comedy film with Salman Khan and Asin as the main lead and Mahesh Manjrekar, Paresh Rawal and Sharat Saxena in the supporting roles. This film was a huge success in the box office and critics also praised the comic timing of Salman Khan and other cast of the film.