Diet program showed remarkable weight loss success

SNS - University of Illinois researchers found that flexible, personalized diet plans were crucial for weight loss in a regimen high in protein and fiber. Participants in a 25-month study within a self-directed dietary education program achieved the most success when they devised their own plans.

An ideal addition to your diet if you are trying to lose weight is raw pears because they are high in fiber. An average, medium-sized piece usually contains about 5.5 grams of dietary fiber.

Photo: David Trinks/Unsplash

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At the one-year mark, successful dieters — 41% of participants — had shed 12.9% of their body weight, compared with the remainder of the study sample, which lost slightly more than 2% of their starting weight, according to a paper published in Obesity Science and Practice.

The dieters were enrolled in the Individualized Diet Improvement Program (iDip), which employs data visualization tools and intensive dietary education sessions to enhance participants' understanding of essential nutrients. This approach allows them to create personalized, safe, and effective weight-loss plans, said Manabu T. Nakamura, a professor in Nutrition Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the study's leader.

The main goal of the iDip program is centered around boosting protein and fiber intake while consuming 1,500 calories or less daily.

The iDip team created a one-of-a-kind, two-dimensional quantitative data visualization tool that plots foods’ protein and fiber densities per calorie and provides a target range for each meal. Starting with foods they usually ate, the dieters created an individualized plan, increasing their protein intake to as much as 80 grams and their fiber intake to close to 20 grams daily.

A total of 22 people finished the program, including nine men and 13 women. Most of them were between 30 and 64 years old. They said they had tried to lose weight at least twice before. Many of the participants had other health problems—54% had high cholesterol, 50% had bone or joint issues, and 36% had high blood pressure or sleep problems. Some of them also had suffered from diabetes, liver disease, cancer, or depression.

Throughout the program, participants experienced significant body transformations. They reduced their fat mass from an average of 42.6 kilograms to 35.7 kilograms after 15 months. Additionally, their waistlines shrank by about 7 centimeters after six months and a total of 9 centimeters after 15 months.

Tracking participants' protein and fiber intake, the team identified a strong link between higher consumption of these nutrients and weight loss at three and 12 months.

"Flexibility and personalization are key in creating programs that optimize dieters’ success at losing weight and keeping it off," Nakamura said. "Sustainable dietary change, which varies from person to person, must be achieved to maintain a healthy weight. The iDip approach allows participants to experiment with various dietary iterations, and the knowledge and skills they develop while losing weight serve as the foundation for sustainable maintenance."

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Illinois soccer team secures 2-1 victory over DePaul

CHAMPAIGN - The Illinois soccer team secured another victory, scoring a goal in each half to hand DePaul a 2-1 loss at Demirjian Park on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the go-ahead score from Lia Howard with seven minutes left in regulation, the Fighting Illini marked their fifth consecutive season with a 2-0 start.

Ashley Stellon opened the scoring in the 44th minute from the penalty spot, marking her first goal of the season. Stellon stepped up and smashed the spot kick into the top-left corner of the goal, giving Illinois a 1-0 lead just before halftime.

At halftime, Illinois held a 1-0 advantage and an 8-4 lead in shots, with both goalkeepers making two saves apiece.

The teams struggled to generate momentum for the first 15 minutes of the second half.

DePaul's Mya Gardner converted a free kick, with Lea Eisenring credited for the assist at the 69-minute mark, knotting the score at 1-all.

The Illinois women’s squad responded with increased offensive pressure, forcing the Blue Demons onto the defensive. After several attempts, their elevated intensity paid off. Sydney Stephens lobbed the ball to Howard, who fought for position and fired the winning shot into the net.

Howard, who led the Orange & Blue's offensive effort, was credited with three shots in her 32-minutes. The team finished with 15 shots on goal and registered two assists.

With a 2-1 lead, the Orange and Blue maintained control for the final seven minutes, denying the Blue Demons any further scoring opportunities.

Keeper Izzy Lee went the distance for the Illini, giving up the solo second-half shot and logging three saves.

Illinois continues its five-match homestand on Thursday with a Braggin' Rights showdown against Missouri at 7 p.m.

The Fighting Illini opened their season with a 6-0 shutout over Wright State last Thursday.

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East Central Illinois plumber wins international title

SNS — In a remarkable achievement just five years into his plumbing career, Andrew Hall, a resident of East Central Illinois, has been recognized as one of the best in the industry after clinching the union’s International Apprentice Contest.

Hall, a member of United Association Local 149, triumphed over competitors from the U.S., Canada, and Australia last week, marking the first international title in Local 149's history. His victory came after a grueling week of written tests, hands-on projects, and interviews with top international leaders in the field. Previously, Hall had already secured victories in local, state, and district competitions, which were open to over 50,000 apprentices.

Andrew Hall (second from the left) poses for photo with (left to right) United Association's Assistant General President Michael Pleasant, General President Mark McManus, and General Secretary-Treasurer Derrick Kualapai. Hall, a member of Local 149, is the first-ever local apprentice to earn success at the international level.

Photo provided

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"When they called my name, it was loud and everyone was clapping, so I thought maybe I heard it wrong – then I was in disbelief,” Hall recounted. "The guys I competed against were the best of the best and we all got along so well; nobody would’ve been mad if someone else won. But it wasn’t about beating anyone out; what we went through together was really the rewarding part. I mean, it still hasn’t really hit me that I won."

Now in his fifth year with Local 149, Hall graduated from the union’s apprentice training program in June. Each apprentice dedicates 240 hours in the classroom and 1,700 hours in the field to earn the title of journeyman. A Montrose native and graduate of Dieterich High School, Hall previously worked at United Mechanical in Champaign before embarking on a journey as a traveling plumber earlier this year, taking on various construction projects across the nation.

During the intense five-day competition in Ann Arbor, MI, Hall and his fellow finalists underwent rigorous evaluations, engaging in both theoretical and practical assessments that included solving complex plumbing scenarios. All finalists were awarded silver rings for their efforts, while Hall will receive a gold ring later this year to commemorate his achievement.

Currently residing in Indiana with his wife, Shelly, and their five-month-old daughter, Ronny Louella, Hall is set to work for two more weeks before they visit family. Following that, the family plans to travel to Oregon for several months of work on a significant construction project, a prospect Hall is eagerly anticipating.

"Shelly has been at every competition and been my biggest supporter through all of this," he said. "It puts everything in perspective that if you’re scared of everything in life, you never really get to experience anything. You just need to take that leap."

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