Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

"I think if I gain another five pounds, " said a friend, who was about 15 pounds overweight told a group of us over dinner, "I will be eligible for the new weight-loss surgery." She was helping herself to a piece of luscious chocolate cake that the rest of us were trying to avoid eating.

"Don't you have to be at least l00 pounds overweight before you can have bariatric surgery?" I asked.

Apparently not. She described a suddenly popular new surgical technique that shrinks the stomach by folding the stomach lining and stitching it in place. Patients who want to lose as little as 25 pounds are going through the procedure because although it requires general anesthetic, there is no cutting of skin or muscle. As some of us gagged, our friend told us that the procedure called POSE, or Primary Obesity Surgery Endoluminal, uses an endoscopy tube that passes through the mouth and esophagus to reach the stomach and then makes tummy tucks.

POSE is so new that it has not gone through rigorous clinical testing to see whether it is more successful than other surgical techniques in producing permanent weight loss; nor has it received FDA approval. Nevertheless, people who want to be thin are using this procedure to get rid of weight that does not respond (so they say) to conventional diets and exercise. Our friend said that she had considered liposuction to get rid of some of the fat she could not seem to diet of,f but the stomach-shrinking technique seemed a better option. "This way I will never be able to eat very much, so losing weight and keeping it off will be easy."

Is POSE the so-called magical weight loss option every overweight person has been seeking? Is its relatively quick and non-surgical procedure the answer to a permanent way of keeping off weight? It is much too early to tell. Other surgical procedures to reduce the amount of food that can be swallowed and contained in the stomach have been effective in producing massive amounts of weight loss in the first year or so after the procedure. Yet long-term outcomes are inconsistent. Patients have found that if they consume high-calorie liquids food like melted ice cream, or gradually introduce large amounts of food into their stomachs, they can enlarge its size. Eventually, they are able to eat enough to regain the weight lost during the first year after the operation.

The question I would have liked to ask my friend who is considering the POSE procedure was this: Why couldn't she lose 20 or 25 pounds the conventional way? I didn't, of course. There are some things one cannot discuss, even with close friends. But I think I know the answer. She, like so many others, is consistently inconsistent in her weight-loss efforts. Weeks of a stringent diet and exercise will be followed by an equally long periods of paying little attention to calories and avoiding the gym. Not surprisingly, at the end of every diet year, her weight has not changed by more than a few pounds. She did lose some weight for her daughter's wedding, but put it on a year or so later when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and her father had a stroke. Like it is for so many of us, food became her source of comfort.

She claimed that diets simply never worked well enough to get her to lose 25 pounds. But we all know that under the right circumstances, we all can lose weight. I am sure that if she were shipwrecked and forced to live on raw fish and coconuts, she would be a size 0. She had been on diet programs so many times, she could recite the list of foods that should be eaten every day and could demonstrate how to use the exercise equipment at the gym. But time and again, she abandoned these positive habits, ate whatever she wanted and never went to the gym. How can an operation on her stomach have any effect on making her choose healthy foods and engage in regular physical activity?

What was also worrisome was that she automatically turns to food when she is stressed, eating large amounts of carbohydrates, like potato chips and cookies, that are packed with fat. Will the surgical procedure stop her emotional eating? Can any surgical procedure to reduce stomach size accomplish this?

Our brains are behind our overeating when winter darkness makes us depressed, when PMS causes major mood swings, when we are exhausted from too much work or too little sleep, or stressed to our limits because of financial, family, or health problems. How can a smaller stomach make these stresses less painful and upsetting?

We have learned, perhaps unconsciously, that when our brains respond to our consumption of carbohydrate by making new serotonin, the edge is taken off the stress. We are able to cope and become calmer, more focused and able to handle or endure whatever has upset us. The amount of fat-free or low-fat carbohydrate that has to be eaten to increase serotonin contributes less than 200 calories to our daily food intake. Moreover, the increase in serotonin also has the added benefit of making us feel less hungry.

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Judith J. Wurtman, PhD: The New 'Magic' Surgery for Weight Loss

COLUMBUS, Ohio --

"I honestly thought I was going to die," said 41-year-old Bill Arrundale, who hit a high weight of 603 pounds last year.

Arrundale said he had always been overweight, even as a child, but struggled to take off the pounds, especially after a knee injury kept him off his feet.

"A year ago I couldn't walk 100 feet without crutches and then last month I walked my first 5k," said Arrundale with a big smile on his face after losing 277 pounds.

How did he do it? Arrundale had gastric bypass surgery last year.

"It's not easy. The hardest part is learning the lifestyle. It's not a magic bullet. It's a tool and you have to use that, but you have to be vigilant every single day," said Arrundale who says he eats a high protein, low fat diet of small meals and works out everyday.

He wants to lose more weight, but feels great and his health has improved with lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

"As long as I'm not breaking furniture anymore I'm really OK with whatever weight that is," said Arrundale.

Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but doctors say it is now mainstream and the prescription many doctors are writing for obese patients.

"For morbid obesity, the most effective treatment that is available, unquestionably is surgery," said Dr. Pat Choban, a bariatric surgeon at Mount Carmel West Hospital.

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Weight Loss Surgery: Drop Hundreds Of Pounds

MANY people feel like their self esteem needs to be at rock bottom before they chose to lose weight. However according to a leading Dietitian at Wesley Weight Management Clinic, this is simply not the case.

"Many people should look at their lifestyle and forecast where they are heading and take the warning signs of an unhealthy future, seriously. Don't leave it until it's too late. Weight loss improves low self esteem as people start feeling better about themselves, they can do things more easily and their weight isn't a barrier anymore," Manager and head dietitian at Wesley Weight Management Clinic Nicola Moore explained.

"People who want to lose weight need to believe they are worth it in order to conquer food cravings, to commit to exercise and to feel confident to make changes for life.

"However, if a person is suffering from a low self esteem, that shouldn't stop them from wanting to lose weight, as the first decision to begin to live healthily, can be all a person needs to make, and the support network at Wesley Weight Management Clinic, surrounds that person and ensures their low self esteem is short lived and encourages them in their weight loss journey," Ms Moore said.

Other tips that will enable weight loss success are:

1) Be in the right frame of mind to make the changes needed for the long term.

2) Committed - understand how important is it to have a team of committed professionals assisting you along the journey

3) Set goals that are realistic - what is it that you want to improve / achieve with weight loss

3) Sustained weight loss means losing weight at the recommended rate and making the appropriate changes to assist weight maintenance. This may take time, patience and perseverance.

4) Find an enjoyable exercise and schedule it into your diary like you would an appointment

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10 tips to losing weight for life

Eating healthy and on a budget is a challenge -- especially when you're on the go.

So, for fast food fans, how do you know which meals will fill you up without weighing you down?

We took our question to Valley native Chris Powell , host of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition".

Powell is no stranger to the average person's struggle with healthy eating, and he's letting us in on his fast food favorites that won't break the calorie bank.

One of his top options? Chick-fil-A.

Powell says his best bet at the chain is a char-grilled chicken sandwich meal with a side salad and unsweetened tea.

"It's one of my favorite items, especially if you're on the go."

Powell says there are plenty of low fat, affordable offerings at your top fast food spots that may surprise you.

ABC15's Susan Casper is putting the finishing touches on the list and will have Powell's food picks from each eatery Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC15 News.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Fast food fan? Healthiest on-the-go eats

Editor's Choice Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Article Date: 13 Apr 2012 - 10:00 PDT

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Leading researcher, Jacinda M. Nicklas, MD, MPH, MA, a Clinical Research Fellow at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School declares:

The researchers assessed data of 4,000 obese adults who self-reported a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher in the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, which tracks demographic, health, and health behavior information from non-institutionalized U.S. adults. 63% of the respondents reported to have tried losing weight within the last year.

According to the analysis, those who reported to consume less fat, exercise more and used prescription weight loss medications were more likely to report loosing at least 5% of their body weight, whilst those who lost at least 10% of their body weight also tended to have joined a weight loss program.

Dr. Niklas remarks:

Whilst popular diets, liquid diets and nonprescription diet pills were not linked to successfully losing weight, participants who managed to shed over 10% of their body weight reported they were less likely to consume diet foods and products, compared with those who lost less weight. Dr. Nicklas points out:

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Obesity Weight Loss Strategies Show Promise

Weight loss must come to an end. You heard that right: this gym owner, public health advocate, and personal trainer wants people to stop losing weight immediately. Weight loss doesn't make us any healthier, and the prospects of any one dieter successfully losing weight are dismal at best.

Shocking, huh? That's because "weight loss" is probably one of the greatest red herrings perpetrated against American health. If it was truly healthy to simply weigh less, why shouldn't we all move to the moon, where we don't have to deal with gravity's harsh revelation every time we step on a scale?

Because nearly everyone reading this knows that, unless you're a weight class dependent competitive athlete, "weight loss" is not our goal. When we say we want to "lose 10 pounds," we really mean we want to be less fat -- right? The weight itself is in fact a distraction, a distraction most of us unfortunately buy into.

I have often asked clients with rigid weight loss goals that if they could have the body of their dreams, but in fact still weigh the same amount when they step on the scale, would they be happy with the result. I have yet to hear someone say no, that the number is that important to them. We care about how we look and how we feel, not about an abstract number thrown at us by a tool used to measure the effects of gravitational theory.

In fact, any time we use weight to measure health, we create an opportunity to create false positives and miss less-easily detected red flags. The recent study on BMI's inaccuracies is a prime example of this, with participants who had normal fat levels, but higher weights, getting miscategorized as obese, and those with high fat levels, but reasonable weights, getting mislabeled normal.

Using weight as the sole barometer for fat loss and health improvement, as the gross majority of us do, is not only inaccurate but can also be downright dangerous -- not only in missed diagnoses for increased risk, as in the case of BMI, but in the process of weight loss itself. An acute focus on weight loss fuels poor choices such as crash diets, detoxes, and cleanses. Usually "cardio" is also thrown in the mix as well, with a net effect of combined loss of water, (way too much) muscle and fat. So, for instance, at the end of a 10-pound loss over one week, I would be surprised if more than two pounds of that loss were fat -- and even more surprised if that loss was sustained for more than a few months, let alone weeks!

So if not weight, then what? Lifestyle. And I'm not quite asking anyone to ditch the scale; as I stated above, it is a great crude tool. But a more refined approach, with a focus on qualitative versus quantitative measurements, in my opinion -- and with plenty of anecdotal evidence that affirms this -- yields not only the best sustainable fat loss results, but more importantly the best sustainable health results.

I'm a big fan of Michael Pollan for many reasons, but the simplicity (and brevity) of his approach, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." has an analogous echo here. I have seen the greatest successes come about from a simple focus on healthy lifestyle, by answering this question, honestly, daily:

"Did I eat well today, and did I move enough?"

I know, I know -- it's an oversimplification... but what if I told you my most obese client to date shed more than half his body weight by simply answering that question honestly (and avoiding the scale altogether, mind you)?

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Jeff Halevy: My Mission to End Weight Loss

More than ever, celebrities are cashing in on weight loss endorsements. And at some point, I'm sure you've all witnessed the countless weight loss advertisements featuring African-American celebrities, with Jennifer Hudson (Weight Watchers), Janet Jackson (NutriSystem), and Mariah Carey (Jenny Craig) being the most recent additions. While, I'm happy at the increase of African-American endorsements and health awareness I'm skeptical as to whether or not these advertisements are giving off the right impression. Are weight loss programs (such as Weight Watcher's, Nutrisystem, and Jenny Craig) enough to obtain a Hollywood figure?

Last year, Jennifer Hudson's trainer, Harley Pasternak, revealed her exercise routine to PeopleStyleWatch.com:

Much is the same for Janet Jackson. Jackson's personal trainer, Tim Martinez, told Ebony magazine that: "Jackson lost 60 lbs. by following an exercise routine that included a 90-minute workout five to six days a week".

And according to People.com, Mariah Carey's exercise routine consisted mainly of water aerobics.

Although, weight loss advertisements may add some insight into how celebrities lose weight, in reality, it's only half the story. BET.com Health Reporter, Kellee Terral, said it best:

Unfortunately, these are luxuries that most of us do not have. But, that doesn't mean it's the end of the road. Although these weight loss advertisements may not paint an accurate overall picture of celebrity weight loss, they can at least, provide Black women with a sense of personal empowerment, relatability, and health awareness.

In reality, there aren't any "quick fixes" when it comes to weight loss. The key to sustaining weight loss lies in permanent lifestyle changes, which involve replacing bad habits with good ones.

One can only hope that in the future, weight loss programs will place less emphasis on image, and more on sustaining healthier lifestyles.

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Tamika Sayles: Much Ado About Weight Loss Among Black Hollywood

HONOLULU, HI--(Marketwire -04/12/12)- According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), over 68% of Americans are considered overweight or obese, a condition that has been linked to hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical complications. While the recent statistics show that more than 5% are considered morbidly obese, the ASMBS also reveals that just 1% (220,000) of the clinically eligible population (15 million) underwent bariatric or weight loss surgery in the past year. Dr. Steve Fowler, a bariatric surgeon in Hawaii at Aloha Surgery, says new advancements in weight loss surgery procedures will hopefully make a difference in influencing more patients to take control of their weight and improve their health. He says the gastric sleeve is one such procedure that has been introduced in the past few years to help patients reduce the risk (and cost) of weight-related complications.

Having performed the gastric sleeve, or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, procedure at his Hawaii weight loss surgery practice for the past two years, Dr. Fowler says he utilizes a single incision through the belly button to surgically remove about 80% of the stomach so that patients need less food to make them feel full. As the first surgeon to perform the single incision approach in Hawaii, he says one of the most important factors in achieving successful results is having the knowledge and experience to identify which candidates are right for the procedure. Dr. Fowler says through individual and personalized attention to patients, weight loss goals can become a realistic and manageable journey for most people. "What is important for the patient is to have a safe operation. If the procedure can be done safely through the belly button providing minimal scarring, then patients want this. We have been performing the vertical sleeve gastrectomy for over two years now, and patients have seen substantial results," he says.

With the growing acceptance of the procedure as an effective treatment for obesity, the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Hawaii's largest medical insurer, has also recently announced coverage of gastric sleeve surgery. Using the same standards in place for the LAP-BAND System and gastric bypass, Dr. Fowler says the addition of the gastric sleeve in Hawaii to insurance plans will help more patients take advantage of the benefits available through effective treatment from a board-certified surgeon. He also adds that exposure to a broader range of surgical options has increased patient outcomes and will continue to advance the pursuit of successful and safe procedures. "It's been a long time coming, and I am encouraged with HMSA's decision to cover the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. This will provide an excellent option for patients interested in surgical weight loss," says Dr. Fowler.

Dr. Fowler says he is excited about recent public exposure to the success of the gastric sleeve and is confident in its ability to help patients achieve a fitter, healthier self. However, he strongly recommends patients seek the expertise of a board-certified and experienced bariatric surgeon before undergoing any weight loss surgery treatment. Through the skilled hands of a dedicated surgeon, Dr. Fowler says the gastric sleeve and other bariatric procedures can offer patients relief from the burdens and risks of obesity, and a guiding tool towards a more positive outlook on life.

About Steven Fowler, MD, FACS

Dr. Steve Fowler graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts and received his medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine. He completed his surgical residency at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Fowler is the acting Medical Director for Bariatric Surgery at Castle Medical Center. His practice, Aloha Surgery, as well as Castle Medical Center have been designated by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the only practice to receive this distinction in the state of Hawaii.

Located at 928 Nuuanu Avenue #400 in Honolulu, HI, Dr. Fowler's practice can be reached at (808) 521-1300. He can also be contacted online via the website alohasurgery.com or the Aloha Surgery Facebook page.

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Weight Loss Surgeon in Hawaii Discusses Recent Gastric Sleeve Advancements

Diet Doc Diet unveils new hCG diet food, weight loss shakes, and a unique weight loss oil that is clinically proven to burn fat to their overall diet that patients report as the best weight loss program due to rapid weight loss (30 pounds/month) safely.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 11, 2012

Diet Doc announces newly created hCG diet food, weight loss shakes and a unique weight loss oil, clinically proven to burn fat (flavorless) as part of their medically, supervised, comprehensive weight loss program.

All diet food is not created equal. Many diet foods contain either carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners and flavors or processed food. All of the above will drastically slow down weight loss reports Julie Wright, president of Diet Doc.

Diet Doc also found that most weight loss shakes contain sugar, including a leading weight loss shake known to most dieters reports Wright. Diet Doc physicians were forced to create a unique, diet shake that cannot be substituted due to the number of active, natural ingredients which promote weight loss, block cravings for carbohydrates and reduce blood sugar, known to spike feelings of hunger and reduce weight loss claims Wright.

The diet food was created with one thing in mind, the ability to lose weight, and serve to the entire family if necessary without compromising on taste reports Wright. The diet food entrees include: Thai chicken, chicken gumbo, chili, hot & sour and more.

A 30 day menu plan was created incorporating the diet food, weight loss shakes and weight loss oil along with noodles, rice and pasta which contain zero carbohydrates reports Wright.

Diet Doc provides nationwide medical weight loss to people across the USA. Their proprietary diet is personalized for each individual based on their health history, age, gender and lifestyle preferences. By managing a personalized diet, Diet Doc patients report losing 30 pounds per month and keeping it off.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/4/prweb9392352.htm

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Diet Doc Weight Loss Unveils New hCG Diet Food, Weight Loss Shakes and a Unique Weight Loss Oil (used to make salad ...

By Ankita Mehta | Apr 01, 2012 05:38 AM EDT

Singer Adele is turning vegetarian to lose weight after fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld called her "too fat."

The 33-year-old Grammy winner and her 36-year-old charity campaigner boyfriend Simon Konecki have followed a strict vegetarian diet for the past one month and have lost almost a stone. The couple goes for jogging every morning.

"The weight is dropping off them and they plan to keep dieting until the end of April," the Daily Mail reported quoting a friend of the 23-year-old Grammy winner, who lives with Konecki in a rented 6million pile in West Sussex.

"They are inseparable - they are losing weight together, getting fit together and planning a future together. Adele says she's doing her best work and feels healthier than she has for months," he added.

Adele has been working out with a personal trainer twice a week at her home and has reportedly quit smoking.

"Adele has found so much more energy now she's quit smoking. She really wants to get healthier, now that she's half-way there," theSun reported, quoting a source.

"She had always been curious about taking up Pilates but until recently there just hadn't been any time."

British singer, six Grammy winner Adele. Image Credit: Reuters

Photographs of British singer, six Grammy winner, Adele, through the years. Image Credit: Reuters

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Adele Weight Loss: Singer Goes Veggie With Boyfriend, Plans To Diet Till April End [PHOTOS]