WHY I DO WHAT I DO!

My patient, whom i treated over 2 years ago, returned to jump start his weight control program yesterday. Ever since his original weight loss of ~ 35 lbs and getting off 2 diabetes and 2 hypertension medications, he's been very vigilant about his eating patterns and exercise routine. As soon as he noticed a consistent weight regain, he took tangible steps to prevent falling back into the same destructive pattern and the exacerbation of his medical conditions.

So gratifying to see that now he looks at his health as something that's under his control,, something he can manage. (Of course, not having $100's in medication co-pays doesn't hurt either).

Do You know how to positively affect Your health?

JUST DO IT?!

Today, i spoke with my long-time patient who came back to restart her weight loss program. We chatted a little about our summers, kids and the importance of keeping positive outlook; not doing anything out of fear, but rather to preserve or improve our sense of well-being. Suddenly, she looks right at me and just says - sometimes YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT. Funny, i thought to myself - that's exactly the only thing I can't do for my patients - actually take the all-important first step. I can provide all the education and motivation in the world, but it is the person across from me who should eventually take action for any change to happen.

So, what ever made You just do it?

IT PAYS TO STAY IN SHAPE

You and your primary care doctor may be your best financial planners! Why? How long you live and how healthy you are when you age are directly related to how fit you stay. Gaining too much weight and not exercising will surely cost more in medications and medical care for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis and others.

So, it really does pay to stay fit.

LAUGH TO LOSE WEIGHT!

Positive emotions block the stress hormones that breakdown our muscles and deposit fat around the midsection. The easiest (and, possibly, the most enjoyable) way to fight visceral fat accumulation is to focus on positive emotions and consciously block the negative feelings. As silly as it sounds, even forcing yourself to smile will send a positive message to your brain and will cause the reduction in stress hormone production. The more muscle mass you retain, the higher your resting metabolic rate is (and the more calories you will burn, even at rest).

So, cheer up and enjoy your day.

Walk to fight diabetes

American Diabetes Association is sponsoring nationwide walk for diabetes.

Check it out: http://stepout.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=OUT_lm_wherewewalk

Whether you participate yourself, give money or just encourage someone else to participate, this is such an important cause that affects so many people around us.

Don't Skip Breakfast!

We have long known that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to control their weight better over the long term. A new study shows that regular breakfast eaters have less intra-abdominal visceral fat (the "bad kind"; highly related to coronary artery disease and other metabolic problems) than people who don't eat or skip breakfast.

Point: Start your day with a healthy breakfast. It will keep you from snacking on empty calories and keep your insulin from spiking, leading to less fat deposition. It is easier to control the volume and contents of your breakfast at home than whatever comes your way in the snack room at work or on your way there!

Source: Obesity (2009) 17 8, 1528–1533

Why Diets Fail

Diets fail because they don't relieve hunger. The sense of satisfaction after eating comes from 2 sources - stretching of our stomachs by food contents and the specific nutrients telling our brain to turn off the hunger stimulus. The main nutrient that tells our brains that we are full is protein. Hunger is one of the most basic human sensations and if not satisfied will cause people to continually seek food. The most important point to remember that it's not the amount of calories that make us feel full, but the volume of the food consumed and the protein content of the food itself. Fiber also contributes to the meal bulk and promotes satiety. Learn to modify your food content to ensure high fiber content (for volume) and enough protein (for satisfactioin) for a worry-free, long-lasting weight control.