Weight loss abstract
An integrated system of collecting data and reporting results,
enabling an understanding of weight control and weight loss. The
first embodiment of the invention is for a method of estimating
an individual's baseline normal activities calories. The second
embodiment of the invention is a method for the individual to plan
and forecast weight loss goals. The third embodiment of the invention
enables the individual to record estimates of weight and food calories
and exercise calories constructing his own weight loss database.
The individual's calories density is measured and is used to increase
plan and forecast accuracy. A graphical representation of the data
enables the individual to detect body water shifts, weight plateauing
and resting metabolic rate changes so as to enable the individual
to know the reasons why the individual is losing or not losing weight.
The system organizes the data to minimize the impact of errors in
the data while maximizing the data's information value. The system
uses the individual's own body in a closed loop approach as its
own calorimeter.
Weight loss claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for reducing or increasing an individual's actual weight,
the method comprising the steps of:
a) planning a daily Calories Expended, and a daily Calories Intake,
for calculating a Plan Calorie Deficit and a Plan Ending Weight;
b) recording an Actual Date, an Actual Food Calories and an Actual
Exercise Calories into a database daily;
c) calculating an Actual Normal Activity Calories from steps (a)
and (b) daily;
d) calculating an Actual Calorie Deficit from steps (b) and (c)
daily;
e) calculating an Actual Forecast Weight Change from steps (a),
(b) and (d) daily;
f) calculating an Actual Forecast Weight from steps (b) and (e)
daily;
g) calculating the daily Plan Weight from steps (a) and (b) daily;
h) calculating an Actual Average Food Calories from the daily Actual
Food Calories, an Actual Average Exercise Calories from the daily
Actual Exercise Calories, an Actual Average Normal Activity Calories
from the daily Actual Normal Activity Calories, an Actual Average
Calorie Deficit from the daily Actual Calorie Deficit and the Cumulative
Actual Forecast Weight Change from the daily Actual Forecast Weight
Change from steps (b), (c), (e) and (f);
i) calculating an Actual Average Calorie Density from step (h);
j) calculating the Plan Calorie Deficit and Plan Ending Weight;
k) adjusting eating and exercising habits to move toward and achieve
the Plan Calorie Deficit;
l) repeating steps (b) through (k) daily until Plan Ending Weight
is reached.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the further
step of calculating an Initial Plan Normal Activity Calories comprising
the steps of:
a') recording the individual's Sex, Age, Beginning Actual Weight,
Height, Number of Weekday Days per Week, Number of Weekend Days
per Week, a Description of Weekday Activities, a Description of
Weekend Activities, an Activity Coefficient Multiple (xRMR) for
each activity, a Weekday Hours spent and a Weekend Hours spent on
each activity;
b') calculating a Plan Resting Metabolic Rate as follows:
where:
RMR=Plan Resting Metabolic Rate (Cal/day)
W=Nude Beginning Actual Weight (kg) where 45.ltoreq.W.ltoreq.136
kg
H=Barefoot Height (cm) where 152.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.213 cm
c') calculating a weighted average Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories from step (a');
d') Calculating a Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple
of Resting Metabolic Rate (x RMR) by dividing the Plan Initial Normal
Activity Calories by the Plan Resting Metabolic Rate of step (b')
and (c');
e') measuring an Actual Resting Metabolic Rate; and
f') calculating a more accurate Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
using the Actual Resting Metabolic Rate of step (e');
g') calculating a more accurate Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR) by dividing the Plan Initial
Normal Activity Calories by the Actual Resting Metabolic Rate of
step (e').
3. The method of claim 1 wherein Step (a) comprises the further
step of calculating individual's Calculated Plan Average Normal
Activity Calories and entering the individual's Beginning Actual
Weight, Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories, Plan Number of Days,
Plan Average Food Calories, Plan Average Exercise Calories and Plan
Average Calorie Density; the Calculated Plan Average Normal Activity
Calories being calculated according to: ##EQU11## N.sub.P,t =Calculated
Plan Average Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) over time period
t
W.sub.P,t =Average Weight (lbs) over time period t
W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight (lbs) at time period t=0 and
N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at time
period t=0 ##EQU12## W.sub.P,t =Average Weight (lbs) is substituted
in Equation (a) W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight (lbs) at time period
t=0
F.sub.P,t =Plan Average Food Calories (Cal/day) over time period
t
E.sub.P,t =Plan Average Exercise Calories (Cal/day) over time period
t
N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at time
period t=0
.rho..sub.P,t =Plan Average Calorie Density (Cal/lb) over time
period t ##EQU13## Adj.sub.Plan/Act,t is an adjustment so that Calculated
Plan Average Normal Activity Calories will be the same as Actual
Average Normal Activity Calories.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein Step (a) comprises the further
step of calculating the individual's Plan Average Calorie Deficit
using the Plan Average Normal Activity Calories, Plan Average Exercise
Calories and Plan Average Food Calories;
the Plan Average Calorie Deficit being calculated according to:
##EQU14## Deficits.sub.P,t =Plan Average Calorie Deficit (Cal/day)
over time t N.sub.P,t =Plan Average Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day)
over time t
E.sub.P,t =Plan Average Exercise Calories (Cal/day) over time t
F.sub.P,t =Plan Average Food Calories (Cal/day) over time t
and where deficits are defined to be positive.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the
step of calculating the individual's Plan Ending Weight comprising
using the Plan Average Calorie Density; ##EQU15## W.sub.P,t =Plan
Ending Weight (lbs) at time period t W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight
(lbs) at time period t=0
(Deficit.sub.P,t )=Plan Average Calorie Deficit (Cal/day) over
time period t
.rho..sub.P,t =Plan Average Calorie Density (Cal/lb) over time
period t
the Plan Ending Weight being calculated according to.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) further comprises recording
the Actual Date, Actual Food Calories and Actual Exercise Calories
for each consecutive day.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (c) the individual's Actual
Normal Activity Calories is calculated exactly using the formulas:
##EQU16## N.sub.A,t =Actual Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at
time period t N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day)
at time period t=0
xRMR=Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting
Metabolic Rate (xRMR) at time period t=0
.DELTA.W.sub.A,t-1 =Change in Actual Forecast Weight (lbs) over
time period t to t-1.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (c) the individual's
Actual Normal Activity Calories is calculated using the formula:
##EQU17## N.sub.A,t =Actual Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at
time period t N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day)
at time period t=0
xRMR=Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting
Metabolic Rate (xRMR) at time period t=0
.DELTA.W.sub.A,t-1 =Change in Actual Forecast Weight (lbs) over
time period t to t-1.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (d) the individual's daily
Actual Calorie Deficit is calculated according to the formula:
where:
Deficit.sub.A,t =Actual Calorie Deficit (Cal/day) at time t
N.sub.A,t =Actual Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at time t
E.sub.A,t =Actual Exercise Calories (Cal/day) at time t
F.sub.A,t =Actual Food Calories (Cal/day) at time t
and where weight loss deficits are defined to be positive.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (e) the individual's
daily Actual Forecast Weight Change is calculated according to the
formula: ##EQU18## where: Daily Change.sub.A,t =Actual Forecast
Weight Change (lbs/day) at time period t
Deficit.sub.A,t =Actual Calorie Deficit (Cal/day) at time period
t
.rho..sub.P,t =Plan Average Calorie Density (Cal/lb) at time period
t.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (f) the individual's
Actual Forecast Weight is calculated according to the formula:
where:
W.sub.t =Actual Forecast Weight (lbs) at time period t
W.sub.t-1 =Actual Forecast Weight (lbs) at prior time period t-1
W.sub.A,t =Actual Weight (lbs) at time period t
Daily Change.sub.A,t =Actual Forecast Weight Change (lbs) at time
t.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (g) the individual's
daily Plan Weight is calculated according to the formula: ##EQU19##
where: W.sub.Plan,t =Plan Weight (lbs) at time period t,120
W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight (lbs) at time period t=0,120
Deficit.sub.P,t =Plan Deficit (Cal/day) at time period t,120
.rho..sub.P,t =Plan Average Calorie Density (Cal/lb) at time period
t,120
T=Actual Days of Plan (Days) at time period t=T.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (h) the individual's
Actual Average Calorie Deficit calculated according to the formula:
##EQU20## Deficit.sub.A,t =Actual Average Calorie Deficit (Cal/day)
over time t N.sub.A,t =Actual Average Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day)
over time t
E.sub.A,t =Actual Average Exercise Calories (Cal/day) over time
t
F.sub.A,t =Actual Average Food Calories (Cal/day) over time t
and where deficits are defined to be positive.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (i) the individual's
Actual Average Calorie Density is calculated acccording to the formula:
##EQU21## where: .rho..sub.A,t =Actual Average Calorie Density (Cal/lb)
over time period t
.SIGMA.Deficit.sub.A,t =Cumulative Actual Calorie Deficit (Cal)
over time period t
.SIGMA..DELTA.W.sub.A,t =Cumulative Actual Forecast Weight Change
(lbs) over time period t
where deficits and decreases in weight are defined to be positive.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the accuracy of calories estimates
are determined using the calculated Actual Average Calorie Density
and the standard density of 3500 calories per pound of actual weight
whereby Actual Average Calorie Densities of more than approximately
6000 calories per pound is evidence of inaccurate calorie estimates
at a 95 percent confidence level.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the Plan Ending Weight is predicted
by replacing the Plan Average Calorie Density with the Actual Average
Calorie Density.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein in step (k) the calculated Actual
Days of Plan, the calculate Actual Average Food Calories, the calculated
Actual Average Exercise Calories, the calculated Actual Average
Normal Activity Calories and the calculated Actual Calorie Density
are used with the Plan Number of Days, the Plan Average Food Calories,
the Plan Average Exercise Calories, the Plan Average Normal Activity
Calories and the Plan Average Calorie Density causing the Plan Ending
Weight to equal the Actual Forecast Weight so as to initialize and
equilibrate the plan and actual results for forecasting weight more
accurately.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein an acceptable upper limit for
the Plan Average Food Calories is calculated at a 95% confidence
level so that weight will be lost over the Plan Number of Days,
the Plan Average Food Calories being the sum of the Plan Average
Normal Activity Calories and Plan Average Exercise Calories multiplied
by 0.75.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein Step (k) further comprises graphing
the individual's Actual Weight, Plan Weight, and Actual Forecast
Weight and then identifying body water shifts, weight plateauing
and resting metabolic rate changes.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein step (k) further comprises graphing
the individual's Actual Weight, Plan Weight and Actual Forecast
Weight to monitor results of purposefully made Plan changes.
Weight loss description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to weight loss diets, and more
particularly to a computational method and program to provide an
integrated closed loop planning, forecasting and control system
for individuals losing weight. It permits realistic daily weight
loss planning and provides an integrated database for control of
the individual's weight and all of the individual's estimated food,
exercise and normal activity calories. The individual's calorie
density is directly measured and is used to reduce errors in the
data and is used to tell the individual how accurately the individual
is estimating calories. The system separates out the individual's
true weight loss from the individual's body water shifts, weight
plateauing and the individual's changes in resting metabolism. It
also provides the flexibility individuals need to change his or
her goals, timing and adherence patterns while still maintaining
control optimizing the individual's weight loss.
2. Description of the Prior Art
About 30% of Americans are currently trying to lose weight. Americans
are experienced with weight loss. The average American female has
been on about 6 diets and the average American male about 3 diets.
About 90% of people who lose weight use their own do-it-yourself
systems rather than commercial weight loss programs. The techniques
they use to lose weight are primarily diet and/or exercise.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends:
Lose no more the 2 lbs per week
Don't consume less than 1200 of food calories per day
Don't allow the calorie deficit to become greater than 1000 calories/day
Exercise between 20 to 60 minutes per session, 3 to 5 times a week
and burn at least 300 calories per session
The longer you exercise per session and the more sessions you have
per week, the greater your weight loss will be
The dropout rate of weight loss programs is quite high. About 80%
of individuals in formal weight loss programs fail to achieve their
targeted weight loss. Another study recently showed that 80% of
a group of obese individuals could not lose 10% or more of their
initial body weight.
The principal reasons for failure are unrealistic expectations,
too much effort, expense, inconvenience and requiring too much time.
An overriding reason is lack of results. Individuals need results
in the short run to reassure themselves about their commitment to
the long run.
Many of the physiological reasons for the failure of individuals
to lose weight are largely unknown. Almost all experts agree that
calorie deficits are required to lose weight. Yet present tools
used outside of the scientist's laboratory are inadequate. To determine
the physiological reasons for weight loss, a weight loss method
must be able to identify and separate out all of the major physiological
variables and track these variables within a mathematically consistent
and physiologically consistent thermodynamic model where all calories
and weight changes are accounted for and balanced.
Weight loss requires time, patience and focus. Sustainable weight
loss takes weeks to months to achieve and it is easy to lose control
over these time frames. Although there are plenty of diet foods
and exercise schemes and software available to lose weight, there
are no complete physiologically consistent thermodynamically balanced
control tools available which takes the results of a free living
individual's calories and weight changes and systematically uses
these results to analyze, report and control the individuals' weight
loss experience as a closed loop system.
Current tools used to estimate individual weight loss are crude,
inaccurate and insensitive. Most are incapable of minimizing errors
in the input data thereby providing output containing the same errors.
Current tools all convert calories to weight using a constant calorie
density of 3500 Cal/lb.
The 3500 Cal/lb is derived from groups of people and assumes a
constant mix of carbohydrates, protein and fat are burned. The 3500
Cal/lb, measured in a scientist's laboratory, is derived given perfect
information about the caloric content of carbohydrates, protein
and fats. For free living individuals who are constantly burning
different mixes of carbohydrates, proteins and fat, the assumption
of constant mix is unrealistic. Additionally, free living individuals
who estimate calories to lose weight do not have perfect calorie
information. Their calorie estimates contain unknown errors. The
assumption of perfect information about calories is also unrealistic.
The calorie density of 3500 Cal/lb is a useful theoretical baseline
in a perfect information environment but individuals on a weight
loss program will incur their own calorie densities which will vary
from about 2000 Cal/lb to 10,000 Cal/lb or more. Current tools using
3500 Cal/lb as the calorie density are applicable in a perfect information
environment but less applicable in a noisy less then perfect environment
of free living individuals.
Current tools are also incapable of separating out the individual's
body water shifts, weight plateauing and changes in the individual's
resting metabolism which all may occur during a weight loss program.
These are distinctly different physiological phenomena which interfere
with individual weight loss and which require different actions
be taken.
Current tools forecasting ending weight are often grossly inaccurate
leading to unrealistic expectations regarding the amount and timing
of weight loss. These unrealized expectations impede the individual's
weight loss program. Moreover, some tools are unnecessarily rigid
in controlling weight loss requiring specific types and quantities
of food to be consumed within specific time frames.
The present invention focuses on errors in measurement of individual
calorie estimates but does not exclude errors in weight measurements.
The best and most accurate weighing scale is a doctor's balance
beam scale. Most modern home weighing scales measure absolute weight
reasonably accurately within .+-.2%. The repeatability of home weighing
scales measurements (i.e. measuring the same weight the same everytime)
is about .+-.0.5% and is more important for individuals on a weight
loss program looking to measure small changes in weight. The present
invention uses cumulative weight loss across time. As time increases,
errors in weight measurements decrease minimizing random weight
measurement errors. Any errors in weight measurements are comprehended
by this invention and have the same impact as errors in individual
calorie estimates.
The present invention can also be used for individuals who wish
to gain weight. However, since 90% of those individuals who want
to change their weight want to lose weight, focus is directed to
losing weight.
As seen in FIG. 1, weight loss is a closed loop system consisting
of a few key variables of time, weight, food calories, exercise
calories, normal activities calories and calorie density. The individual
creates a calorie deficit by diet and/or exercise and the individual's
body responds by converting body weight into energy in a thermodynamically
balanced system. The individual's calorie density is a measuring
gauge for how this closed system is working. Calorie density represents
the individual's efficiency of losing weight or the necessary calories
burned to lose a pound of body weight.
Individual weight loss is a highly individual experience. There
is a great deal of variation between individuals. The physiological
rules that apply to groups of people often times may not apply to
individuals. Individuals use different mixes of food and exercise.
Individuals count calories differently, incur different kinds of
body water shifts and weight plateauing and have different resting
metabolic rate reactions to diet and exercise. Individuals also
have different time constraints and different lifestyles in which
to fit their weight loss program. Without a structured and systematic
view of these weight loss variables, it is difficult for an individual
to isolate each variable and determine the impacts of each on his
or her weight loss program. And without maximum flexibility, it
is difficult for individuals to fit their weight loss program into
their weight loss system with constantly changing lifestyle priorities
Weight loss data are also noisy and difficult to interpret. Dieter's
who estimate calories do not know how their calorie estimates specifically
impact their weight changes nor are they aware of the magnitude
and impact of the random and systematic errors intrinsic to their
estimates. Those who do estimate food calories typically systematically
underestimate them by 15% to 25% or more. Constant caloric deficits
cause more constant weight changes while more variable caloric deficits
tend to cause more variable weight changes. On average, individuals
in equilibrium with their weight will experience random oscillations
of their weight of about .+-.2 lbs on any given day due to body
water shifts. During calorie deficits, weight fluctuations are likely
to be more. Weight responses to calorie deficits, moreover, are
oftentimes moderated by varying time lags in body water shifts.
Oftentimes, body water shifts or weight plateauing cause weight
to remain level or increase when weight is really decreasing causing
the individual to terminate his or her weight loss program prematurely
since short term body water shift oscillations and weight plateauing
have no long term weight consequences. Finally, many individuals
experience changes in their resting metabolic rates, which have
no impact in the short run, but may increase, have no impact or
decrease their long term rate of weight loss. A decreasing resting
metabolic rate can significantly impact an individual's weight loss
program.
Individuals want to lose weight quickly and comfortably. One successful
weight loss strategy is to set the weight loss numbers, within the
context of the individual's own lifestyle, so that the individual
will lose weight and barely be aware of it. By so doing, the individual
will lose weight both comfortably and optimally.
The purpose of this invention is to separate out and quantify all
of these confounding factors while minimizing the noise impact and
maximizing the information value of the individual's collected weight
loss data. The individual can use the computer and his or her own
personal weight loss method to manage and control weight loss comfortably.
The individual can use readily available personal estimates of calories
instead of exact values to achieve the same results. The individual
can Plan and Forecast future weight loss accurately using these
estimates validating weight loss expectations through actual weight
loss results. And the individual can maintain control using this
invention to tell why he or she is losing or not losing weight and
what to do about it.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,000, issued on Mar. 4, 1980 to Elmer A. Lipsey
discloses an electronic calorie counter which measures an individual's
normal activities and exercise calories expended by sensing the
vertical motion of the user and using general activity coefficients
such as sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous and severe. The instant
invention is distinguishable from the present invention in that
it focuses only on normal and exercise calories, uses general activity
coefficients and does not estimate changes in the individual's weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,079, issued on Jul. 8, 1980 to Richard B. Segar
and C. Marascalco discloses a device which displays an individual's
total food calorie intake or total calories expended in normal activities
and/or exercise in real time. It is distinguished from the present
invention in that the resulting totals do not estimate the individual's
weight change as a result of the accumulated calorie totals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,142, issued on Aug. 10, 1982 to James R. Diehr
and Theodore A. Lutton discloses a computer controlled rubber processing
feedback system. It is distinguished from the present invention
in that the present invention concerns human weight loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,539 issued on Aug. 23, 1988 to Henry L. Fox
discloses a system of future weather forecasting based on a data
base of historical weather patterns. He uses a computer to forecast
expected future trends and then is able to estimate insurance premiums
for a client insuring against future weather conditions. The instant
invention is distinguishable from the present invention in that
the present invention concerns human weight loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,793 issued on Jan. 16, 1990 to Yutaka Ikemoto
and Akiyoshi Yamashita discloses a device for retrieving specific
foods and calories from a data base of foods. The instant invention
is distinguishable from the present invention in that weight changes
are not estimated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,954 issued on Sep. 4, 1990 to Lamar R. Madsen
discloses a device which estimates food calories from a menu of
selected foods and is distinguishable from the present invention
in that weight changes are not estimated.
Japanese Patent No. 06304276A issued on Jan. 11, 1994 to Morioka
Shunichi discloses a device which accumulates food calories consumed
and exercise calories expended and displays a calorie excess/shortage
and is distinguishable from the present invention in that it does
not use this information to estimate changes in the individual's
weight.
A deterministic mathematical formulation of human weight loss by
V. Antonetti in "The Equations Governing Weight Change in Human
Beings," The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 26,
No. 1, January 1973, estimates individual weight loss over time
based on individual food and activity calories. It was not intended
to be used to control an individual's weight loss program and it
is not clear that it can be used to do so.
The formulation is quite complex and is difficult to use for several
reasons. It requires that individual food calories, exercise calories
and calorie density be constant. The formula uses the calorie density
factor of 3500 Cal/lb as a constant even though it is known that,
for individuals, this factor may be very different. The formula
uses normal activity coefficients of sedentary, light, moderate,
vigorous and severe which many individuals find difficult to define
and apply to themselves resulting in less accuracy and loss of credibility.
It also is an open loop estimate unable to process and use the daily
feedback generated from the individual to control and/or update
his or her weight loss process and using the results of this formula
are likely to degenerate over time. Moreover, use of this formula,
by itself, fails to recognize and deal with body water shifts, weight
plateauing and resting metabolism shifts. Antonetti validates his
equation using the results of groups of people. However, data from
groups of people eliminates the problems of body water and resting
metabolism changes as body water and resting metabolism changes
tend to cancel each other out in groups of people but not in individuals.
He also may have double counted the individual's Specific Dynamic
Action (SDA) which is the number of calories the body expends digesting
food and is about 7% to 10% of the food calories eaten. That is
because, the activity coefficients he uses for normal activities
are usually calculated for free living individuals without regard
to their food consumption and generally includes the SDA effect
in the activity coefficients already. Antonetti formulated the solution
to determine the amount of time it would take to lose a specific
amount of weight. It is not clear that other types of "what
if" scenarios such as how much weight would be lost in a specific
time has tractable solutions. Antonetti provides no generalized
solution to his equation, only showing the results of using his
formula. As seen in FIG. 2, a stand alone deterministic mathematical
model of weight loss without integration with what the individual
actually does, is naive and fails to capture all of the dynamics
of actual weight loss.
There have been many different food and nutritional computer programs
published over the years claiming to forecast and control individual
weight changes. They include Diet Pro from Lifestyle Software, Sante
from Hopkins Technology, Health & Diet from Software Solutions,
The Diet Balancer from NutriData Software, Lifeform from Fitnesoft,
and a family of weight loss software programs from Nutrigenie. Typically
these products are food database programs and focus on increasing
the accuracy of counting food calories using some variation of the
generalized classical formulation:
where:
.DELTA.W=(.DELTA.F-.DELTA.E-.DELTA.N)/3500 and:
W.sub.t =Weight (lbs) at time t
W.sub.0 =Initial Weight (lbs) at time t=0
.DELTA.W=Change in Weight (lbs)
.DELTA.F=Change in Food Calories (Cal)
.DELTA.E=Change in Exercise Calories (Cal)
.DELTA.N=Change in Normal Activites Calories (Cal) where typically
.DELTA.N=0
where the individual's future weight is forecasted as the individual's
initial weight plus the individual's forecasted total change in
weight. Weight change in turn is equal to the individual's total
change in calories, divided by the calorie density of 3500 Cal/lb.
This classical model, strictly speaking, is most accurate as a point
estimate for very small changes but it is used to forecast weight
changes across much larger time frames with corresponding decreases
in accuracy and increasing greater calorie imbalances.
All of these software products do not systematically integrate
the classical formulation into their actual weight loss system.
Rather, the forecast is performed independent of what the individual
actually does, leaving it up to the individual to discern differences
from the forecast. Only some and not all of the key physiological
variables are used by the classical model making it difficult for
the individual to understand the reasons for his or her weight loss
variance.
Most of these software programs assume that individual's change
in normal activity calories due to changes in weight is negligible
or zero. Some use generalized activity coefficients such as sedentary,
light, moderate, vigorous and severe which are difficult to define
and apply to individuals and introduce systematic errors into the
ending weight estimates.
In addition, the classical formulation assumes everybody loses
weight at a constant calorie density of 3500 Cal/lb creating an
open loop system. This assumption may or may not be true and depends
upon the individual's actual calorie density which is neither explicitly
measured nor used. By using a constant 3500 Cal/lb for all individuals,
errors in calorie estimates or weight measurements are systematically
introduced into the weight loss estimates rather than minimized
resulting in weight loss forecasts as much as 2 times or more greater
than actual. Such large error rates are unsuitable for weight control.
Finally, since most of these programs are food database programs,
they direct the individual to focus on increasing the accuracy of
their food calorie estimates. A singular and narrow concern with
increasing the accuracy of food calorie estimates directs the individual's
incremental energies and time toward an activity which has may have
limited incremental benefits. Food calories are inherently difficult
to estimate accurately. This focus is in part due to the inherent
structure of the classical model itself which requires perfect information
to work best. And because of all of the other limitations and insensitivities
of the classical model, it is unclear that the individual's incremental
efforts can be seen or are equally rewarded by the same incremental
results. The present invention is distinguished from the classical
model as it tells the individual whether he or she ought to spend
his or her incremental energies and time increasing the accuracy
of his or her calorie estimates.
Because of these limitation, the classical model oversimplifies
the individual's actual weight loss process and contains sufficient
calorie imbalances and inaccuracies to render it a less than satisfactory
model for weight control.
The prior art teaches a wide variety of weight loss methods. However,
the prior art does not teach a method providing the insight into
the calorie cycle of the present approach so as to allow an accurate
prediction of weight loss and an improved control over the process.
The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further
related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:
The primary object of this invention is to provide the individual
with a simple to use weight loss management tool to control weight
loss more accurately and flexibly. The individual begins his or
her weight loss program trying several food and exercise calorie
deficit scenarios and recording the data before committing to his
or her final weight loss Plan. Thereafter the individual uses said
data and Plan, which reflects the individual's compromises between
goals, comfort level and lifestyle, to lose weight optimally increasing
his or her success rate.
A further object of this invention is to provide firstly, a database
means for the individual to Plan and Forecast data about his or
her weight loss goals and secondly said database means for the individual
to record his or her actual data and thirdly, said database means
to report his or her weight loss experience. Said database means
offers a more realistic, flexible and accurate Planning, Forecasting
and Control system than deterministic mathematical equations or
classical weight loss modeling.
A further object of this invention is to provide an integrated
system which consistently models and is sensitive to the individual's
weight loss process daily, weekly and monthly.
A further object of this invention is to use a closed loop system
to produce more accurate Plans and Forecasts of weight. In a closed
loop system, Plan and Forecasted Ending Weight using data from the
individual's said database will cancel most of the systematic errors
contained within the input data.
A further object of this invention is to report and use the individual's
own caloric density as a feedback measure of how this individual's
closed loop system is operating. Calorie density tells the individual
how efficiently he or she is losing weight. It also tells the individual
about the accuracy of his or her calorie estimates. The greater
the individual's actual calorie density deviations from 3500 Cal/lb,
the less accurate is the individual's calories estimates.
A further object of this invention is to use said database means
to separate out the individual's true weight loss from body water
shifts, weight plateauing and resting metabolic changes.
A further object of this invention is to present this weight loss
system as intuitive and simple, using diet and/or exercise, in the
way most people are accustomed to thinking and acting when losing
weight.
A further object of this invention is to use all of the known laws
of human weight loss physiology to model individual weight loss
consistently and to make weight loss more effective.
A further object of this invention is to highlight and focus on
the actual weight loss experience of individuals and their weight
loss idiosyncrasies in contrast to fitting said weight loss experience
into group weight loss patterns and norms.
A further object of this invention is to permit the individual
greater flexibility to vary daily food and exercise calories while
still remaining in control. Greater flexibility permits easier interfacing
with the individual's own lifestyle accommodating changes easily
without loss of control.
A further object of this invention is to provide daily weight forecasts
independent of actual daily weighings so the individual can view
his or her forecasted weight without necessarily having to weigh
himself or herself every day. Forecasted daily small incremental
weight changes, which cannot be seen on the weight scales, motivate
the individual to continue.
A further object of this invention is to allow the use of reasonable
estimates of actual food and exercise calories rather than exact
values thereby eliminating the additional effort of collecting more
exacting calorie data and mitigating the ever present concern over
calorie accuracy without necessarily losing weight loss effectiveness.
A further object of this invention is to provide said data base
means for the individual to estimate his or her baseline daily actual
normal activity calories significantly more easily and with more
credibility than using general classifications such as light, moderate,
heavy etc. which are less accurate when applied to individuals and
lack credibility.
A further object of this invention is to provide said data base
means for the individual to estimate his or her daily actual normal
activity calories separately identifying the individual's resting
metabolism.
A further object of this invention is to minimize random errors
and accentuate longer term trends by using cumulative weight and
calorie data appropriately. Such data aggregation is only effective
in a closed loop system and will accentuate long term trends showing
the individual why or why not he or she is losing weight.
A further object of this invention is to establish a calorie density
upper control limit whereby calorie densities greater than about
6000 Cal/lb suggest that the individuals' calorie counting is too
loose (absent significant excess body water shifts, weight plateauing
or slowing resting metabolism).
A further object of this invention is to consistently maintain
the mathematical relationships between daily point estimates such
as daily weight, daily food calories, daily exercise calories, daily
normal activity calories, daily calorie deficits and daily resting
metabolic calories with average estimates such as average food calories,
average exercise calories, average normal activity calories, average
calorie deficits and average calorie density.
A further object of this invention is to define said point estimates
and said average estimates so that Plan, Forecast and Actual point
estimates and average estimates are defined exactly the same so
that variances between Plan, Forecast and Actual estimates are pure
and consistently defined.
A further object of this invention is to permit the individual
to easily explore a variety of "what if" scenarios of
the individual's key weight loss variables, permitting weight planning
optimization.
A further object of this invention is to compensate for approximately
a .+-.25% error rate in the individual's Food Calories, Normal Exercise
Calories and Exercise Calories estimates to set a maximum level
of food calories to be eaten by the individuals so he or she can
begin to actually lose weight.
A further object of this invention is to approximately account
for the individual's Specific Dynamic Action (SDA) effect by assuming
that it is accounted for in the individual's estimate of Normal
Activities since most of the activity coefficients probably include
the SDA effect in them.
A further object of this invention is to minimize the data collection
effort so that low cost, common everyday household appliances such
as a weighing scale and home computer and common information sources
such as food labels and food calorie booklets can be used effectively,
in lieu of more expensive alternatives.
A further object of this invention is to allow the individual to
enter and use his or her own resting metabolic rate to override
the calculated value, thereby possibly increasing forecast accuracy
and credibility.
A further object of this invention is to incorporate into the individual's
Plan no resting metabolic changes (not explained by weight changes)
since on average, physiological studies show groups of individuals'
resting metabolic rates will not change while on a diet and/or exercise
program. If the individual's resting metabolic rate does change,
it will appear as a major deviation from the Plan.
A further object of this invention is to permit the individual
to separate and highlight true weight loss from body water shifts,
weight plateauing and resting metabolism shifts using a graphical
display of the individual's weight changes.
A further object of this invention is to provide the ability for
the individual to move the Plan graph and overlay it onto the individual's
actual weight data changing some or all of the individual's key
weight loss variables, graphically, so as to provide a means of
producing a set of graphical solutions to the question of what Plan
numbers are implied in the individual's actual weight data.
A further object of this invention is to provide the individual
with sufficiently accurate data about his or her weight loss experience
to uncover the main reasons why the individual is losing or not
losing weight.
A further object of this invention is to provide the individual
with effective solutions for the main reasons for not losing weight
so the individual can make the proper decisions based on the right
reasons.
A further object of this invention is a weight loss system applicable
to human beings.
A further object of this invention is to obey and integrate all
of the laws of thermodynamics and human physiology where energy
and mass are conserved and mass is converted into energy and energy
into mass.
A further object of this invention is to provide reports which
interface with and are consistent with the weight loss recommendations
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
A further object of this invention is to use the computer and current
computer modeling techniques to accomplish these objects.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In
such drawings:
FIG. 1 is seen to describe the way an individual loses weight.
The individual firstly, creates a calorie deficit and secondly,
the individual's body reacts by decreasing it's weight.
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a graphical display of the same
individual's weight loss data, contained within said database, showing
Actual Weight, Forecast Weight and Plan Weight and body water shifts,
weight plateauing and possible slowing resting metabolic rate changes.
FIG. 3 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system estimates
individual resting metabolic rate including the capability to override
the calculated value.
FIG. 4 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's weekday and weekend calories.
FIG. 5 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's normal daily activity calories.
FIG. 6 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's total normal activity time from the individual's
weekday and weekend hours.
FIG. 7 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's calculated normal activities from Plan/Forecast
input data.
FIG. 8 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the Plan/Forecast calorie deficit and ending weight.
FIG. 9 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the number of days on the Plan based on the date.
FIG. 10 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's actual daily normal activities calories.
FIG. 11 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's daily calorie deficit.
FIG. 12 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's change in daily weight.
FIG. 13 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
the individual's forecasted ending weight.
FIG. 14 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the system calculates
and synchronizes the individual's weight Plan with current forecasted
weight for the same period.
FIG. 15 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the actual data
from the database rolls-up to summary statistics.
FIG. 16 is a detailed flow diagram showing how the actual data
from the database is summarized to compute change in weight and
individual calorie density.
FIG. 17 shows one embodiment of the input data needed and the resulting
output used for calculating the individual's average daily normal
activity calories.
FIG. 18 shows one embodiment of the input needed and the resulting
output of an individual's weight loss planning, forecasting and
control database system distinguishing between the Plan/Forecast
section and the Actual section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Planning Individual Normal Activity Calories
First, the individual estimates his or her daily resting metabolic
rate. The individual enters his or her Sex 20, Age 22, Beginning
Actual Weight 24 and Height 26 as seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 17 where
M in the flow diagrams means manual input by the individual. Final
Plan Resting Metabolic Rate is calculated in accordance with the
equations of Harris and Benedict as seen in Equation 2a and Equation
2b.
where:
RMR=Plan Resting Metabolic Rate (Cal/day)
W=Nude Beginning Actual Weight (kg) where 45.ltoreq.W.ltoreq.136
kg
H=Barefoot Height (cm) where 152.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.213 cm
A=Age (yrs) where A.gtoreq.17 yrs and:
where 5 lbs for men and 3 lbs for women are subtracted from clothed
weight to determine nude weight without loss of accuracy. The limits
are approximate and are designed to exclude atypical body sizes
where these formulas may not apply. Furthermore note the rate of
change of RMR is
See "A Biometric Study of Basal Metabolism in Man" by
J. A. Harris and F. G. Benedict, Carnegie Institution, Washington,
1919.
The individual can override the calculated value by entering his
or her own Actual Resting Metabolic Rate 28 as seen in FIG. 3. The
computer calculates and displays the result Final RMR 34 in FIG.
3 and FIG. 17.
For example, the 35 year old, 180 lb, 5 ft 10 in male in FIG. 17
has an estimated resting metabolic rate of 66.47+13.75.times.[(180-5)/2.2]+5.times.70.times.2.54-6.755.times.35=1813
Cal/day.
Next, the individual divides his or her typical week into Number
of Weekday Days per Week 36 and Number of Weekend Days per Week
42 as seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 17. Oftentimes activity patterns for
weekday days differ from weekend days. Usually, a routine week is
composed of 5 Number of Weekday Days per Week and 2 Number of Weekend
Days per Week. If all days activities are the same, then there need
be no distinction between weekday days and weekend days and either
category can be used. The total of weekday days and weekend days
must be seven days, the number of days in a week. The individual
then enters a Description of Weekday Activities and a Description
of Weekend Activities 86 for an average week as seen in FIG. 17.
For each activity, the individual enters a corresponding Activity
Coefficient Multiple (xRMR) 40 as seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 17 representing
a multiple of the individual's resting metabolic rate. See Table
1 for examples of some activity coefficients.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Normal Activity
Coefficients, Multiples of Resting Metabolic Rate Activity Coeff
Activity (xRMR) ______________________________________ Automobile
Repair 3.6 Cleaning House 3.5 Driving - Automobile, Traffic 2.4
Light Activity 1.7 Sitting - Reading 1.2 Sleeping 0.9 ______________________________________
Also see "Compendium of Physical Activities: Classification
of Energy Costs of Human Physical Activities" by B. E. Ainsworth
et. al, in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol. 25,
No. 1, 1993, pp. 71-80 for examples of other activity coefficients.
The individual also enters an estimate of the number of Weekday
Hours 38 or Weekend Hours 44 he or she spends on each particular
activity as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 17.
All major activities should be listed. If the individual has an
activity that is not listed on the table, he or she should pick
an activity similar to it that is listed and estimate a value. If
the individual has a variety of different activities every day that
are difficult to summarize, the individual should describe all of
these various activities as light, moderate or heavy and use that
activity coefficient.
The total number of Weekday Hours of activities 80 and Weekend
Hours 84 is summed as seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 17 and should be equal
to 24 hours if the individual does not plan on exercising. If the
individual plans on exercising, the total number of hours 80 and
84 should be less than 24 hours by the average number of hours/day/week
that the individual plans on exercising. Exercise is excluded because
it is accounted for separately. For example, if an individual plans
on exercising 3 hours per week, the 24 hours should be reduced by
0.43 hours since on average the individual plans on spending this
amount of time per typical day per week exercising.
The computer calculates the total weighted average number of calories
the individual spends per average day on Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories 68 and the multiple of his or her estimated Plan Initial
Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR)
66 that his or her Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 68 represent
as seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 17. The computer also calculates the
individual's Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories in calories per
minute 70 as seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 17.
The individual's daily Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 68
represents an average for any particular day. It is split between
the individual's Weekday Calories 50 and Weekend Calories 52 seen
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 17. For individuals who tend to have relatively
uniform activity patterns, any particular day's actual normal activity
calories expended would tend to be close to the estimated average.
For individuals whose actual daily normal activity calories are
more variable, the variance from the average would tend to be greater.
However, cumulatively, over time, if the Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories 68 are reasonably accurate, the cumulative variances from
actual should tend to cancel each other out trending toward the
estimated average.
Forecast accuracy for the individual's Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories 68 is about .+-.0% to .+-.25% or more at 95% confidence
limits.
For example, the 35 year old, 180 lb, 5 ft 10 in male in FIG. 17
has an estimated Plan Resting Metabolic Rate of 1813 Cal/day. His
typical weekly activity pattern is divided between 5 Number of Weekdays
per Week and 2 Number of Weekend Days per Week. His total Weekday
Hours and total Weekend Hours is 23 hours as he plans on exercising
1 hour per day, everyday of the week. Using Office Work--Active,
the time spent on office activity for a typical week is (5/7).times.9=6.4
hours. The rate of calories office work burns per minute is (1.7).times.(1813)/(24.times.60)=2.1
Cal/min. The total calories burned in office work in a typical week
is then (6.4).times.60.times.2.1.about.825 Cal/day. For all activities,
the individual's Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories of 2681 Cal/day
is 2681/1813=1.5 times as great as the individual's Plan Initial
Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR)
and is the same as 2681/(24.times.60)=1.9 Cal/min.
The individual's Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 68 and Plan
Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate
(xRMR) 66 are carried over as input into the Weight Log section
as seen in FIG. 18.
The format shown in FIG. 17 is not limiting and can display in
many other different formats.
This technique is more advantageous than directly estimating food
calories because the individual's normal activities calories are
usually more stable, better known and less variable than food calories.
Furthermore, average normal activity calories can be estimated,
a priori, within a few minutes, using a computer, rather than counting
food calories which takes weeks of effort.
This technique is also more advantageous than requiring the individual
to estimate his Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories each day which
is time consuming and which most individuals would find onerous
and which may have marginal benefits.
This technique is also more accurate and credible than using generalized
activity coefficients such as light, moderate, heavy, vigorous and
severe. This technique explicitly shows and accounts for the individual's
resting metabolic rate separately.
Planning Weight Loss before Beginning a Weight Loss Program
Secondly, the individual constructs his or her weight loss Plan
as seen in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 18. The individual enters his
or her Beginning Actual Weight 88 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18 and which
is the same as 24 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 17. The individual also enters
his or her Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting
Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 as seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 18 and which
is the same as 66 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 17. The individual also enters
his or her beginning Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 as
seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18 and which is the same as 68 in FIG. 5
and FIG. 17. Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting
Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 and beginning Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories 92 as seen in FIG. 10, FIG. 7 and FIG. 18 is the same as
Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting Metabolic
Rate (xRMR) 66 and Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 68 as seen
in FIG. 5 and FIG. 17 since Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 and beginning Plan
Normal Activity Calories 92 are estimated at the same time the individual
begins his or her weight loss program.
The individual also enters the Plan Number of Days 94 he or she
plans to lose weight, Plan Average Food Calories 96 and Plan Average
Exercise Calories 98 per day he or she is planning to achieve as
seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18. The individual also enters his or her
Plan Average Calorie Density 100 as seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18.
Initially, Plan Average Calorie Density will be 3500 Cal/lb since
no other calorie density information is available. Later, as the
individual begins to accumulate information about his or her actual
weight loss, the individual's Actual Average Calorie Density 184
of FIG. 16 and FIG. 18 will be estimated and can be used instead.
The final Plan input is Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 106
per day as seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 18. Plan Average Normal Activity
Calories 106 can be and usually is the same as the Calculated Plan
Average Normal Activity Calories 108 which is based on all of the
other Plan inputs as seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18.
Calculated Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 108 as seen in
FIG. 7 and FIG. 18 represents the estimated average normal activities
calories per day, the individual can expect to expend over the Plan
Number of Days of the plan. Beginning Actual Weight 88, beginning
Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92, Plan Number of Days 94,
Plan Average Food Calories 96, Plan Average Exercise Calories 98
and Plan Average Calorie Density 100 are used as inputs for Calculated
Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 108 as seen in FIG. 7. Since
the individual is forecasting a weight decrease, Calculated Plan
Average Normal Activity Calories 108 will be less than beginning
Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 because weight is forecasted
to decrease.
Calculated Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 108 is computed
as the ratio of Average Weight over the Plan or Forecast period
to Beginning Actual Weight 88 multiplied by Plan Initial Normal
Activity Calories 92 as defined and calculated in accordance with
Equation 3a and Equation 3b. ##EQU1## N.sub.P/F,t =Calculated Plan
Average Normal Activity Calories 108 (Cal/day) over time period
t,94
W.sub.P/F,t =Average Weight (lbs) over time period t,94
W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight 88 (lbs) at time period t=0,94
and
N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 (Cal/day) at
time period t=0,94 ##EQU2## W.sub.P/F,t =Average Weight (lbs) is
substituted in Equation 3(a) W.sub.0 =Beginningl Actual Weight 88
(lbs) at time period t=0,94
F.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Food Calories 96 (Cal/day) over time
period t,94
E.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 (Cal/day) over time
period t,94
N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 (Cal/day) at
time period t=0,94
.rho..sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Calorie Density 100 (Cal/lb) over
time period t,94 ##EQU3## Adj.sub.Plan/Act,t 104, as seen in FIG.
7, is an adjustment so that Calculated Plan Average Normal Activity
Calories 108 will be the same as Actual Average Normal Activity
Calories 170 when the Plan data 94,96,98,100, is the same as the
actual data 164,166,168,184
The inputs also permit the individual to see immediately, his or
her Plan Average Calorie Deficit 112 which is computed as Plan Average
Normal Activity Calories 106 plus Plan Average Exercise Calories
98 less Plan Average Food Calories 96. Plan Average Calorie Deficit
112 is seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 18 is defined and calculated in accordance
with Equation 4. ##EQU4## Deficit.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Calorie
Deficit 112 (Cal/day) over time t,94
N.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Normal Activities Calories 106 (Cal/day)
over time t,94
E.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 (Cal/day) over time
t,94
F.sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Food Calories 96 (Cal/day) over time
t,94
and where deficits are defined to be postive
The individual's Plan Ending Plan Weight 114 is also calculated
by Equation 5 and is seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 18 is defined and calculated
in accordance with Equation 5. ##EQU5## where: W.sub.P/F,t =Plan
or Forecasted Ending Weight 114 (lbs) at time period t,94
W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight 88 (lbs) at time period t=0,94
##EQU6## =Plan Average Calorie Deficit 112 (Cal/day) over time period
t,94 .rho..sub.P/F,t =Plan Average Calorie Density 100 (Cal/lb)
over time period t,94
For example, as seen in FIG. 18, the individual entered Beginning
Actual Weight 88 of 182.0 lbs, Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 of 1.5, beginning Plan
Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 of 2681 Cal/day, Plan Number
of Days 94 as 30 days, Plan Average Food Calories 96 of 2000 Cal/day,
Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 of 400 Cal/day and Plan Average
Calorie Density 100 of 2935 Cal/lb. Calculated Plan Average Normal
Activity Calories 108 was computed to be 2619 Cal/day which the
individual manually entered into Plan Average Normal Activity Calories
106. The computer calculated the Plan Average Calorie Deficit 112
as (2619+400-2000)=1019 Cal/day. Plan Ending Weight 114 is computed
as 182.0-(1019/2935).times.30=171.6 lbs.
Recording, Reporting and Understanding the Weight Loss Process
Thirdly, the individual begins executing his or her weight loss
plan. The individual must record the day's Actual Date 116, and
daily estimates of his or her Actual Food Calories 122 and Actual
Exercise Calories 124 as seen in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 18. Actual
Days of Plan 120 are calculated from the entered Actual Date 116
and is seen in FIG. 9 and FIG. 18. All Dates 116 and Days 120 are
consecutive and cannot be skipped. Actual Food Calories 122 are
the estimated calories the individual consumes each day. Actual
Exercise Calories 124 are the gross or total calories the individual
expends on exercise each day. These are exogenous inputs coming
from food labels, food calorie tables, fitness machines or other
sources. These estimates are not intended nor can they be exact.
Rather, they represent honest best estimates.
The individual also enters his or her Actual Weight 138 as seen
in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18 whenever he or she weighs himself or herself.
More frequent weighings produce more accurate results in a shorter
time period. The individual can select whether he or she weighs
himself or herself at the beginning or end of the day. The algorithms
are adjusted by conventional means to include or exclude the current
day's calories from the current day's forecasted ending weight.
The computer also automatically estimates the individual's daily
Actual Normal Activities Calories 128 which is seen in FIG. 10 and
FIG. 18 and is included as part of the daily Actual Calorie Deficit
132 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 18. The individual's daily Actual Normal
Activity Calories 128 is based on the following relationship as
shown in Equation 6a, 6b and 6c. ##EQU7## where: N.sub.A,t =Actual
Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at time period t,120
N.sub.0 =Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories 92 (Cal/day) at
time period t=0,120
xRMR=Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories Multiple of Resting
Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 at time period t,=0 120
.DELTA.W.sub.A,t-1 =Change in Actual Forecast Weight 136 (lbs)
at time period t-1,120
where 6.25, 4.35 and 5.30 are the average rates of change of resting
metabolism per lb-day from Equation (2a) and (2b) converted to the
English system and where 5.30 is the average of 6.25 and 4.35 and
can be used instead without loss of accuracy as seen in and used
in FIG. 18
This relationships says that the individual's Actual Normal Activity
Calories 128 on any day is equal to the individual's initial resting
metabolism adjusted by 6.25 or 4.35 or 5.30 calories per pound of
cumulative weight change from initial weight and converted to the
individual's normal activities by multiplying by the individual's
multiple of his resting metabolic rate. Weight decreases cause resting
metabolism to decrease and normal activity calories to decrease.
Conversely, weight increases cause resting metabolism to increase
and normal activity calories to increase. The Actual Normal Activity
Calories estimate shown in Equation (6a) and Equation (6b) and Equation
(6c) is mathematically consistent with the beginning Plan Initial
Normal Activity Calories 92 and Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
Multiple of Resting Metabolic Rate (xRMR) 90 as all are derived
from the same equations (2a) and (2b) causing no calorie imbalances.
For example, at Day 3 as used in FIG. 18, Actual Normal Activity
Calories 128 is [(2681/1.5)+5.30.times.(181.0-182)].times.1.50=2673
Cal/day.
The individual's daily Actual Calorie Deficit 132 as seen in FIG.
11 and FIG. 18 is defined and calculated in accordance with Equation
7.
where:
Deficit.sub.A,t =Actual Calorie Deficit 132 (Cal/day) at time t,120
N.sub.A,t =Actual Normal Activity Calories (Cal/day) at time t,120,
from equation (6)
E.sub.A,t =Actual Exercise Calories 124 (Cal/day) at time t,120
F.sub.A,t =Actual Food Calories 122 (Cal/day) at time t,120
and where weight loss deficits are defined to be postive
For example, at Day 3 as seen in FIG. 18, the daily Actual Calorie
Deficit 132 is (2673+0-2200)=473 Cal/day.
Daily Actual Forecast Weight Change 136 as seen in FIG. 12 and
FIG. 18 is defined and calculated in accordance with Equation 8.
##EQU8## where: Daily Change.sub.A,t =Actual Forecast Weight Change
136 (lbs/day) at time period t,120
Deficit.sub.A,t =Actual Calorie Deficit 132 (Cal/day) at time period
t,120
.rho..sub.P/F,t =Plan/Forecast Average Calorie Density 100 (Cal/lb)
at time period t,120
Note: Actual daily weight change 136 uses .rho..sub.P/F,t 100.
The individual can replace the current value of .rho..sub.P/F,t
100 with .rho..sub.A,t 184 thereby integrating the Plan and Actual
for the latest calorie density providing greater accuracy and consistency
For example, at Day 3 as seen in FIG. 18, the daily Actual Forecast
Weight Change 136 is--473/2935=-0.16 lbs.
Daily Actual Forecast Weight 146 as seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18
is defined and calculated in accordance with Equation 9.
where:
W.sub.t =Actual Forecast Weight 146 (lbs) at time period t,120
W.sub.t-1 =Actual Forecast Weight 146 (lbs) at prior time period
t-1,120
W.sub.A,t =Actual Forecast Weight 138 (lbs) at time period t,120
Daily Change.sub.A,t =Actual Forecast Weight Change 136 (lbs) at
time t,120
For example at Day 3 as seen in FIG. 18, the Actual Forecast Weight
146 is 181.0-0.16=180.8 lbs. If the individual had weighed himself
or herself at the beginning of Day 4 and weighed 179.0 lbs as seen
in FIG. 18, Actual Forecast Weight 146 is 179.0-0.40=178.6 lbs.
Plan Weight 150 as seen in FIG. 14 and FIG. 18 is defined and calculated
in accordance with Equation 10. ##EQU9## W.sub.Plan,t =Plan Weight
150 (lbs) at time period t,120 W.sub.0 =Beginning Actual Weight
88 (lbs) at time period t=0,120
Deficit.sub.P/F,t =Plan/Forecast Deficit 112 (Cal/day) at time
period t,120
.rho..sub.P/F,t =Plan/Forecast Average Calorie Density 100 (Cal/lb)
at time period t,120
T=Actual Days of Plan 120 (Days) at time period t=T
For example, at Day 3 as seen in FIG. 18, the Plan Weight 150 is
182.0-(1019/2945).times.3=181.0 lbs.
All of the individual's data in the database is averaged and summarized.
The Actual Days of Plan 164, as well as the individual's daily Actual
Average Food Calories 166, daily Actual Average Exercise Calories
168, daily Actual Average Normal Calories 170 and daily Actual Average
Deficit Calories 172 are computed per conventional means as seen
in FIG. 15 and FIG. 18. The individual's average Weight Change in
lbs/day 180 and lbs/week 182 and Actual Average Calorie Density
184 are computed as seen in FIG. 16 and FIG. 18. Averages for Weight
Changes 180,182 and Actual Average Calorie Density 184 are calculated
per conventional arithmetic averaging techniques.
Actual Average Calorie Density 184 is defined as the Cumulative
Actual Calorie deficit 162 divided by the Cumulative Actual Forecast
Weight Change 176 as seen in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 and defined by
Equation 11. ##EQU10## where: .rho..sub.A,t =Actual Average Calorie
Density 184 (Cal/lb) over time period t,120
.SIGMA.Deficit.sub.A,t =Cumulative Actual Calorie Deficit 132 (Cal)
over time period t,120
.SIGMA..DELTA.W.sub.A,t =Cumulative Actual Forecast Weight Change
146 (lbs) over time period t,120
where deficits and decreases in weight are defined to be postive
For example, at Day 9 as seen in FIG. 18, Actual Average Calorie
Density 184 is (12457)/(182.0-177.4)=2711 Cal/lb.
An individual's calorie density is particular to the individual's
system for calorie counting and his body's reaction to a calorie
deficit. Typically, calorie density is low during the first few
weeks of weight loss due to excess water loss. Thereafter, it increases
and will vary over time.
Actual Average Calorie Density 184 is used to control the individual's
weight loss process. In the most common case, an individual will
systematically consume more food calories than reported. This will
result in less weight decrease decreasing the denominator of Equation
11 and causing a rise in the individual's calorie density of Equation
11.
If all of the individual's calorie estimates and weights were perfect,
calorie density should average about 3500 Cal/lb. However, since
an individual's calories estimates are not perfect, the larger the
individual's calorie density deviates from 3500 Cal/lb the less
accurate are the calorie estimates. An upper limit of about more
than about 6000 Cal/lb suggests that the individual's calorie counting
is getting too loose at about the 95% confidence limits (absent
excessive body water shifts, weight plateauing or slowing resting
metabolic rate).
Due to unknown errors in the actual calorie estimates, the individual's
absolute calorie density can never be known with certainty. However,
by defining calorie density to be cumulative over time, random calorie
errors will tend to cancel each other out resulting in a more accurate
absolute estimate of calorie density.
If the individual replaces his or her Plan Average Food Calories
96 with his or her Actual Average Food Calories 166, and replaces
his or her Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 with his or her Actual
Average Exercise Calories 168, and replaces his or her Plan Average
Normal Activity Calories 106 with his or her Actual Average Normal
Activity Calories 170, and replaces his or her Plan Average Calorie
Density 100 with his or her Actual Average Calorie Density 184 as
seen in FIG. 18, Plan Ending Weight 114 as seen in FIG. 8 and FIG.
18 will be accurate. This is because systematic errors contained
within the actual calories 166,168,170 and actual calorie densities
184, are the same and are eliminated.
There are expected to be several likely errors in the data which
sets a maximum number of food calories the individual should consume
in order to insure that he or she will actually begin to lose weight.
The expected range of errors in beginning Plan Initial Normal Activity
Calories 92 is a minimum of about .+-.0% to .+-.25% or more. The
expected range of errors in Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 is
about .+-.0% to .+-.25% or more. It is possible that the individual's
"true" normal activities calories and exercise calories
can be consistently lower than estimated. To adjust Plan Average
Food Calories 96 for this possibility, the individual should add
both his or her beginning Plan Initial Normal Activity Calories
92 and Plan Average Exercise Calories 98 together and multiply by
0.75. The result would be the maximum number of Plan Average Food
Calories 96 the individual should Plan on eating to be 95% confident
that he or she would begin to lose weight.
The format shown in FIG. 18 is not limiting and can display in
many other different formats.
Other Advantages of Controlling Weight Loss
The individual maintains control by seeing the differences between
what he or she is planning to do and what he or she is actually
doing as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 18. The Plan variables and the
Actual results are defined to be exactly the same. By analyzing
the biggest differences between Plan and Actual variables, the individual
can readily determine the reasons for the variances, thereby enabling
him or her to take corrective action.
By knowing the numbers, the individual can experiment with what
is comfortable for him or her, trying out various food and/or exercise
scenarios. Once a comfortable scenario is established, he or she
can set the Plan numbers that he or she can live with and still
be committed to accomplishing the resulting goals. In this way the
individual can lose weight comfortably without undue effort and
stress and with commitment and desire.
The individual can experiment with many "what-if" scenarios
to optimize the weight loss plan for his or her own goals and time
constraints. If his or her goals change, changing the Plan is easy
and the expected results seen.
Since weight loss is a cumulative effect, the individual need not
adhere to a constant level of calorie deficits each day. If he or
she wants to hit his or her goals by the end of the Plan period,
he or she can do so flexibly, by incurring varying caloric deficits
yet which cumulatively can be on Plan over the Plan's time period.
Oftentimes, the individual may want to see what his or her efforts
to-date imply about the future, all other factors being the same.
As seen in FIG. 18, the individual can do this simply by entering
his or her reported Actual Day of Plan 164 into 94, Actual Average
Food Calories 166 into 96, Actual Average Exercise Calories 168
into 98, and Actual Average Normal Activity Calories 170 into 106
and Actual Average Calorie Density 184 into 100. Calculated Plan
Average Normal Activity Calories 108 will then be the same as Plan
Average Normal Activity Calories 106 and Actual Average Normal Activity
Calories 170. By varying the Plan Number of Days 94, and adjusting
Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 106 to be the same as Calculated
Plan Average Normal Activity Calories 108, the individual can forecast
what he or she can expect in terms of future Plan Ending Weight
114, all other factors remaining constant.
Viewing the Data in Graphical Form
The relevant data is further presented to the individual in graphical
form. As seen in FIG. 2, this graph shows Weight on the Y-Axis and
shows the Actual Days of the Plan 120 on the X axis. It further
shows the individual's Actual Weight 138, Forecast Actual Weight
146 and Plan Weight 150.
The individual's Actual Weight 138 is the weight seen on the weight
scales. Actual weight may not be "true" weight due to
excess body water but is the best empirical measure of an individual's
weight.
The individual's Forecast Actual Weight 146 is what the individual
would weigh calculated from his or her cumulative daily calorie
deficit from the individual's last weighing. In the absence of actual
weight, it is the "true" weight of the individual.
The individual's Plan Weight 150 is the weight the individual ought
to weigh consistent with his or her Plan at the same point in time.
It reflects average goals for the current time period. It disregards
body water shifts and weight plateauing and assumes the individual's
resting metabolic rate does not change except due to normal body
weight changes.
By presenting the data this way, the individual can see at a glance,
how he or she is doing compared to Plan. He or she can also see
quite clearly, weight changes due to water body shifts, weight plateauing
and weight changes due to major shifts in resting metabolism.
Many individuals do not lose weight in a straight line. Goals change,
daily food and or exercise calories are not always the same. Daily
actual weight can decrease, remain the same or increase obscuring
the fact that the individual is actually losing weight. By plotting
the data this way, the individual can see his or her weight trends
while still being motivated to continue.
Some people on a weight loss program may experience a change in
their resting metabolic rate. Studies show that an individual's
resting metabolic rate may change and it may speed up, remain the
same or slow down in response to a diet and/or exercise program.
The graph visually shows the individual if his or her resting metabolic
rate is fundamentally changing. It may show up as a slow systematic
secular increase in the individual's weight against the Plan as
seen in FIG. 2.
It is also possible that the individual's weight loss will be significantly
faster or slower than Plan.
If this happens, the individual can adjust his or her Plan, by
varying the Plan inputs, to graphically overlay, and align the Plan
to the individual's actual weight loss experience. By so doing,
the individual produces one solution (out of many) of all of the
variables causing the individual's weight loss thereby suggesting
other reasons for weight loss.
The graphical solution highlights both body water shifts, weight
plateauing and major resting metabolism changes and uncovers and
redirects the individual to yet another and different set of issues.
Effective solutions to body water, weight plateauing and resting
metabolism are quite different as body water is typically temporary
and can be controlled while resting metabolism changes cannot.
Body water shifts are random oscillations and will usually dissipate
themselves over a few days.
Weight plateauing caused by dietary water retention (usually due
to excess sodium) may remain for several weeks or more. Weight plateauing
is characterized by abrupt weight increases or decreases with no
weight changes for several days to several weeks. If the individual
seeks to accelerate the dissipation of retained body water naturally
and more quickly, say, seeking short term reassurance that the displayed
body water is real, he or she can cut back on his or her food calories
even more, switch to foods high in fat and/or protein, consume more
water, or shift to a diet higher in potassium. These actions either
singularly or in combination will usually eliminate dietary body
water within a few days.
If the individual's resting metabolism begins to slow down, however,
the individual has far fewer options. If the slowdown is not onerous,
the individual can continue but at a lower rate of weight loss.
The individual can also increase his or her caloric deficit even
more to maintain his or her current weight loss. However, if the
rate of slowdown is excessive and weight loss really slows down,
the individual is wise to terminate his or her program. Usually,
after resuming a normal eating pattern, the individual's resting
metabolic rate will return to normal within about 3 to 4 weeks.
At that time the individual can resume where he or she left off,
having a complete report to begin anew.
While the invention has been described with reference to at least
one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those
skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,
the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction
with the appended claims. |