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Posted: February 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
PALM SPRINGS, CA--(Marketwire -02/27/12)- Lite Life Surgery is pleased to announce the addition of weight loss coaching, dietician, and weight management programs to their California weight loss clinic. Lite Life Surgery, renowned for their bariatric surgery services and weight loss surgery solutions, has recently updated their services with weight loss programs and health regimens. The weight loss services provide for ongoing maintenance to those who have undergone weight loss surgery and also offer a nutrition and coaching solution to those who may have a BMI that is not high enough to qualify for surgical intervention.
Guided through each step by a registered dietician, Palm Springs patients enrolled in the weight management programs are taken through a 12-week course. The program includes weekly visits with a registered dietician who will educate patients on nutrition and exercise. A focus is placed on glycemic eating, as well as behavior and exercise modifications. Throughout the weight management programs, Palm Springs attendees of the program have access to a suite of online tools including a journal to track their thoughts, caloric consumption, and pattern of exercise habits.
The Lite Life Surgery weight loss management program is a great way for patients to take control of their behaviors, bodies, and health. Whether for medical reasons or personal reasons, these programs prove successful because they offer consultation, one on one coaching, and unyielding support.
Overseen by a nutrition and weight loss coach, Palm Spring residents who are looking to lose a lot of weight, or just a little, are encouraged to check out these weight loss programs in California.
About Lite Life Surgery
Lite Life Surgery in Palm Springs, CA provides weight loss surgery, nutrition and exercise programs, and weight management programs for patients throughout Southern California and beyond. Lite Life Surgery is renowned for obesity weight loss surgery, including bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, lap band surgery, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch weight loss surgeries.
For more information about weight loss surgery options or weight loss management programs in Palm Springs visit http://www.litelifesurgery.com.
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Lite Life Surgery Adds Palm Springs Weight Loss Coaching Programs
Posted: February 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Should you give in to peer pressure? If it promotes healthy habits, such as diet and exercise, social influence can be very beneficial, a new study shows.
Researchers from the Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, found that obese people who are dieting with a like-minded group, increase their odds of losing more weight than those who go it alone.
While the study, published this month in the journal Obesity, focused on weight loss, the same results apply to physical activity, says Sara Oliver, CPT, owner of Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp. She points out that various studies, including one released last year by Oxford University, indicate that exercising in a group is more effective than working out alone.
“These findings are not surprising – we’ve known for ages that our health and happiness depend, to a large degree, on our ability to have stimulating relationships with other people,” she points out. “So it is natural that surrounding ourselves with people who have similar health and fitness goals can help us achieve these results more successfully.”
Here are some of the reasons why exercising with a group raises the chance of achieving your fitness goals:
Motivation: When you feel like giving up exercise – and all of us do from time to time – a little encouragement from your fellow classmates can go a long way towards keeping you on track.
Structure and guidance: If you work out on your own, you might not be doing your exercises correctly or safely, or perhaps you are tempted to skip the exercises you don’t like. That’s where you will benefit from the instructor’s guidance and your group’s support.
Fun! Exercise should not be dull or monotonous, but all too often it is just that. “If you go through the same routine every time, you will not only get bored, but also may not see the results you want,” Oliver notes. “But in a group setting like a boot camp, where workouts are varied and fun, you will continue to be challenged and excited, and look forward to each session.”
And because boot camps provide significant results in weight loss, fat reduction, cardio endurance, as well as other fitness and health benefits (in addition to group support and pleasant social interactions), “they continue to rank, year after year, among the most popular fitness trends,” Oliver points out.
And while we are trying to avoid exposure to flu and cold viruses this winter season, the “contagious” peer mindset - especially as it pertains to healthy lifestyle habits - is one “bug” you should definitely try to catch, Oliver says.
About Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp:
Sara Oliver, CPT opened Adventure Boot Camp in the Bay Area in Oct. 2006 and has expanded to include over 7 times and locations. Schedules and client testimonials are available at http://www.GetToBootCamp.com. Sara, a certified boot camp instructor with 12 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached at SaraOliver@GetToBootCamp.com or 713-515-5081.
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When it comes to exercise, play well with others
Posted: February 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
SPARTANBURG, SC--(Marketwire -02/28/12)- Ivey-O'Sullivan Health Care in Spartanburg, SC announced that the practice now offers natural weight loss services including the Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge. The grand prize winner of the 90-day challenge weight loss/lifestyle transformation will receive a trip to Beverly Hills. The practice also offers the "Take Shape for Life" program, which includes nutritional meal replacements using the "5 x 1" plan. This weight loss program is part of the practice's ongoing commitment to wellness care, including nutritional counseling and chiropractic adjustments for managing back pain, migraines and chronic personal injury pain.
Spartanburg chiropractor Dr. Gabe O'Sullivan announced that his practice is offering two weight loss programs to help patients lose weight and get healthy. Both programs are designed for long-term weight loss success. The Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge weight loss program is for patients who need to lose weight quickly. The program includes nutritional counseling and lifestyle transformation advice. Participants will also compete with one another to lose the most weight. The winner of the challenge receives a grand prize trip to Beverly Hills.
"Our 90 Day Challenge is a great program for individuals who need to lose weight quickly," said Dr. O'Sullivan. "Together with a group of friends, there is natural accountability built in to the program -- and a little competition helps participants stay focused and on-track towards their weight loss goals."
The practice also offers the "Take Shape for Life" program. This program is for patients who need assistance losing a significant amount of weight and maintaining this loss for life. The program also includes the "5 x 1" Medifast meal plan.
"Take Shape for Life is not a quick-fix or instant weight loss program," said Dr. O'Sullivan. "This program is designed to help patients lose 2 to 5 pounds per week and keep the weight off for life. We include wellness coaching and emphasize long-term lifestyle changes for sustainable weight loss."
According to the Spartanburg chiropractor, the program helps create health in a step-by-step overall of a participant's lifestyle. This includes nutrition counseling, exercise, stress management and proper sleeping habits. The program also focuses on environmental triggers that can lead to a relapse of bad habits.
"By dealing with environmental triggers, we help patients learn to manage their responses with positive choices, rather than overeating or stress-eating," said Dr. O'Sullivan. "The Take Shape for Life program is more than just weight loss. It's a total body and lifestyle transformation to help patients correct the bad habits that have led to weight gain, illness, and fatigue. Our patients not only lose weight, but report having more energy than ever before!"
Individuals who wish to learn more about the weight loss programs offered by Ivey-O'Sullivan Health Care may receive a free consultation from the practice's health coach by scheduling an appointment with the clinic.
The practice also provides chiropractic adjustments for helping patients naturally manage chronic back pain, migraines and personal injury pain. Patients who need to lose weight but struggle with chronic back pain or migraines due to a personal injury may also benefit from chiropractic adjustments. Individuals can learn more by contacting the practice at: http://iveyosullivan.com.
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Spartanburg Chiropractor Announces Natural Weight Loss Program
Posted: February 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
With one-third of Americans suffering from obesity, and another one-third being overweight, a Food and Drug Administration panel's recommendation that Qnexa be the first new obesity drug to be approved in 13 years would seem to be a no-brainer.
By Matt Mendelsohn, USA TODAY
Fenfluramine, which was part of the weight loss drug known as fen-phen, and dexfenfluramine were removed from the market in 1997.
By Matt Mendelsohn, USA TODAY
Fenfluramine, which was part of the weight loss drug known as fen-phen, and dexfenfluramine were removed from the market in 1997.
Columns
In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes a variety of opinions from outside writers. On political and policy matters, we publish opinions from across the political spectrum.
Roughly half of our columns come from our Board of Contributors, a group whose interests range from education to religion to sports to the economy. Their charge is to chronicle American culture by telling the stories, large and small, that collectively make us what we are.
We also publish weekly columns by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY's founder, and DeWayne Wickham, who writes primarily on matters of race but on other subjects as well. That leaves plenty of room for other views from across the nation by well-known and lesser-known names alike.
Not so fast. Though studies have shown that Qnexa can lead to a dramatic loss of 10% of body weight in a year, concern over potential side effects kept a similar FDA panel from approving the drug as recently as 2010.
Qnexa combines two drugs associated with weight loss: the appetite-suppressant phentermine and the anti-seizure drug topiramate, which appears to alter hunger hormones, decrease appetite, and adjust glucose and insulin concentrations.
Though you might be familiar with phentermine from its presence in the infamous weight-loss drug "fen-phen," phentermine is not the main problem in Qnexa. Fen-Phen was removed from the market in 1997 amid lawsuits for heart valve problems and high pressures in the lungs. But these side effects were caused by the fen (fenfluramine), not the phen.
Phentermine is an effective weight-loss drug that suppresses appetite. Though it can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and cause palpitations, for many patients it is very well tolerated. The concerns with Qnexa center on its other main ingredient, topiramate. Those concerns caused the FDA to reject Qnexa less than two years ago.
Problems can't be ignored
So what has changed the momentum from FDA rejection to possible approval? It surely wasn't a study, completed late last year, which showed that topiramate doubles the risk of cleft lip and palate in newborns of mothers who were taking the drug. The new FDA panel virtually ignored the results of this study, accepting the reassurances of Qnexa's manufacturer, Vivus, that it will restrict the drug for pregnant women and perform studies after approval to assess heart safety.
Vivus also argued effectively to the panel that the growing obesity epidemic is causing massive medical problems, and increasing the need for effective treatments. Although I agree that the growing weight problem in the U.S. leads to millions of cases of high-blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and premature deaths each year, the FDA shouldn't be pressured into prematurely approving Qnexa without first being absolutely certain about its safety.
Downsides to ingredient
In addition to fighting seizures, topiramate is commonly used to prevent debilitating migraines. As someone who prescribes it regularly, I know it can cause cognitive slowing, problems with memory and decision-making, and fatigue in addition to the risk of birth defects.
Some of the risks might be worth taking for a patient with intractable migraines or seizures, but what about obesity?
Certainly, we need new drugs to treat obesity in patients who are unable to modify their diet or lifestyle enough to lose significant amounts of weight. Perhaps Qnexa might one day be that drug. I would like to see more studies done on Qnexa, however, because its two components (topiramate and phentermine) haven't been used in combination before, and we need to assess their combined side effects.
For the sake of my obese patients who have run out of options, my vote could one day be "yes" for a drug such as Qnexa. But that day isn't here yet. Right now, the most rational vote is for more studies.
Marc Siegel, MD, is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center. He is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors and author of The Inner Pulse.
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Original post:
Column: Safety of new obesity drug requires more FDA study
Posted: February 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
.A professor says many weight loss products on the market are scams. Source: Herald Sun
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ONE of Australia's leading public health experts says there are more than 1000 weight loss products on the market and that most are scams.
Ken Harvey, an Adjunct Associate Professor in La Trobe University's school of public health, says claims that diet pills can help people lose weight fast after bingeing are "crazy and dangerous".
Online firm undoit.com.au claims its pills remove fat and carbs from food. For example, it claims someone could eat a Big Mac and fries and take five pills to undo it. A biscuit could be undone with one pill.
"It's crazy, dangerous stuff and very appealing if you like your Big Mac and fries. But there's no evidence it works and it's really dangerous from a public health point of view," Dr Harvey said.
There were many products on the market that "certainly rip people off ", were straight-out scams, or diverted people away from weight loss programs that actually work.
He said some of them might have fibre that can make people feel more full, while others relied on diuretics or laxatives, but that "none of them are worth money".
"By and large none of them are really worth the money and none have good scientific evidence to substantiate their claims. They're just scams," he said.
There's real harm in terms of turning people away from more evidence-based (care) ... we've got an obesity epidemic on our hands."
Last year, Dr Harvey complained to the Therapeutic Goods Administration about former NSW Liberal Leader Kerry Chikarovski's range of Suprexxa weight loss products, sold by her company Chika Health.
Yesterday the TGA said it could find no evidence for the company's claims that Supprexxa Fat Burner Max capsules and Metabolism Kick oral spray work. They gave Chika Health 20 working days to respond before a kit that contains the two products is cancelled.
The undoit website says Dr Harvey's claims are "simply wrong" and points to clinical studies done using the same ingredients, although none of them are specifically about undoit pills. Chika Health did not return calls last night.
Dr Harvey wants the TGA to stop sanctioning products that do not work.
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Most weight loss pills are scams
Posted: February 27, 2012 at 3:06 pm
CINCINNATI, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Health care professionals tend to underestimate a patient's willingness to discuss their weight and treatment options(1). To help address this communication gap, the American College of Physicians Foundation has developed a Patient Centered Education guidebook and DVD called "Live Healthier – Weight Loss Options for Treating Obesity." This tool was supported by funding from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., (EES), a leader in bariatric and metabolic surgical solutions.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110513/NY01718LOGO )
The guidebook and video – available now at http://acpfoundation.org/materials-and-guides/video/videos-for-patients/weight-loss-options-for-treating-obesity.html – are intended to help physicians and patients learn more about obesity and obesity treatment options, ultimately leading to weight-related conversations in the doctor's office.
"We're currently in an obesity epidemic. More than 72 million Americans are struggling with obesity, a disease that can directly lead to health issues including type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea and many others," said Dr. Robert F. Kushner, M.D., Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity and past president of The Obesity Society. "Primary care physicians play a vital role in a patient's weight loss journey, which starts with having frank discussions about available treatment options, including lifestyle modifications, medications and weight loss surgery."
Obesity is a complex disease with many causes, including social, cultural, and genetic factors. Many people affected by obesity have tried for years to lose weight without long-term success. Today there are many weight-loss options for those who suffer with obesity. Treatment options include tips for a healthy lifestyle, the importance of a lifelong commitment to healthy living as an integral part of any weight loss plan, prescription drugs, and weight loss surgery. The guidebook includes an overview of obesity, its associated risks and available treatment options based on body mass index (BMI).
An accompanying DVD contains educational content brought to life by patient stories and commentary from leading physician experts, including:
Dr. Robert Kushner, Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity and past president of The Obesity Society Dr. Christopher Still, Director of the Geisinger Obesity Institute, Medical Director, Center for Nutrition and Weight Management Dr. Robin Blackstone, President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Medical Director, Scottsdale Healthcare Bariatric Program.
About Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, the maker of the REALIZE Solution for bariatric and metabolic surgery, develops and markets advanced medical devices for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of conditions in general and bariatric surgery, as well as gastrointestinal health, gynecology and surgical oncology. More information can be found at http://www.ethiconendosurgery.com or http://www.realize.com.
(1) "Bariatric Surgery Study: Physician and Patient Data Summary Sheets." Harris Interactive Inc. April 2011.
Media Contact:
David Shaffer
513-337-8281 (o)
513-446-0887 (m)
Dshaffe2@its.jnj.com
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New Patient Guidebook, "Live Healthier - Weight Loss Options for Treating Obesity," Now Offered by the American ...
Posted: February 27, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Pic NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning shot of the Eta Carinae system's largest star suffering a near-death experience before it goes supernova in the near future.
The beginning of the end for the Eta Carinae star. Credit: ESA/NASA
Earlier this month boffins published a study into the Eta Carinae star's near-nova explosion during which it shed ten solar masses*. The violent detonation was seen in 1843 and, discounting our Sun, made the heavenly body the second brightest star in the sky. The only star brighter was Sirius, which is nearly a thousand times closer to Earth.
Now the star is once more visible to the naked eye at night, although it's nowhere near as bright as it was back in the 19th century.
This pic shows the cloud of material, now known as the Homunculus Nebula, thrown out during the star's brush with death - what space boffins call a "supernova impostor event".
The image, consisting of ultraviolet and visible light images from the High Resolution Channel of Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys, shows that the debris from the event wasn't thrown out uniformly, but in a dumbbell shape.
Boffins are fairly confident that the Eta Carinae star is on its way out and they expect its supernova in the near future. Of course, this being in astronomical timescales, "near future" could be as much as a million years from now.
Whenever it does eventually go off, the star will be one of the closest to Earth to explode when there was someone here to see it, giving an impressive view to folks on the surface. The brightest supernova ever observed from Earth was a star of the same type, but it was in a galaxy 200 million light years away. Eta Carinae is only 7,500 light years away. ®
* One solar mass is equivalent to 1.98892 x 1030 kilograms
Excerpt from:
Hubble snaps exploding star's near-fatal weight-loss bid
Posted: February 27, 2012 at 12:45 pm
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Weight loss is a common goal, and websites developed to assist individuals in their weight loss efforts have popped up since the Internet first became a household commodity. Though these weight loss programs may be successful for some people, many dieters have found that they need stronger motivation to maintain their healthier lifestyles. Summer LaBrie, CEO of a new, member-based weight loss community, The Weight Race, understands that some people need an extra push of encouragement to achieve their weight loss goals.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120227/CG59097)
For this reason, LaBrie created The Weight Race. A website that provides encouragement in the form of prizes, this online community takes motivation to the next level. With the motto, "Win When You Lose," The Weight Race will launch on March 1, 2012.
"I have always struggled with my weight," commented LaBrie, "and I know that it is very frustrating. People who need to lose weight typically know that they should eat less unhealthy foods and exercise more, but they aren't going to do it if they aren't motivated. I created The Weight Race to provide a unique kind of motivation. By giving away prizes that people want, like gift cards, The Weight Race provides that extra incentive for people to reach their weight loss goals."
The prizes distributed by The Weight Race will be organized into categories. Members who have lost five pounds can enter one particular drawing and those who have lost ten pounds can enter another. The categories continue from there, encouraging members to continue to work toward their ideal weight. To ensure that all drawings are fair, LaBrie will use random.org to determine the winners.
In addition to awarding prizes for weight loss, LaBrie has created a platform that individuals can use to track their workouts, record their weight, and interact with others who are striving toward similar goals. Members can earn badges for making healthy choices, play games, and communicate with one another.
"Above all else, I wanted to create an online environment where people feel comfortable, have fun and they are excited to lose weight," LaBrie stated.
At five dollars per month, The Weight Race is an encouraging and affordable resource for dieters. The motivation created by the contests, as well as the encouragement of other individuals who are striving toward a common goal, is invaluable to people looking to lose weight. As the website continues to grow, LaBrie plans to further reward its members; once membership hits 5,000 she will give away $5,000 dollars in a random.org drawing.
Losing weight can be a highly difficult task, which is why LaBrie has created The Weight Race. Through this website, she hopes to encourage weight loss efforts while motivating individuals to meet their goals.
ABOUT:
The Weight Race is a new, member-based weight loss community that provides motivation in several forms. First and foremost, The Weight Race allows members to track their weight while accessing valuable resources, including health-conscious recipes. Additionally, members of this online community can encourage one another through messages. Most notably, The Weight Race rewards its members for their weight loss efforts by holding drawings for prizes. A unique online environment, The Weight Race provides individuals with both emotional and material support as they continue along their weight loss journey.
The Weight Race, LLC is online at http://www.theweightrace.com. Interested individuals are encouraged to follow The Weight Race on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WeightRace), Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheWeightRace), and WordPress (http://theweightrace.wordpress.com).
Contact: Summer LaBrie
The Weight Race, LLC
28562 Oso Parkway #D309
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
summer@theweightrace.com
http://www.theweightrace.com
Media Contact: Summer Labrie The Weight Race LLC, 310-741-9623, summer@theweightrace.com
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
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The Weight Race Unleashes an Exciting New Spin on Weight Loss
Posted: February 27, 2012 at 1:48 am
Home > News > health-news
Washington, Feb 26 : Battling obesity is not as simple as eating less and exercising more, and for those who struggle to meet their weight loss targets, a new equation may offer some help.
Scientists are now using mathematics to better understand the physiology of weight loss, and more accurately predict just how much weight someone will lose on a specific diet and exercise regime.
In the past, physicians assumed that eating 500 fewer calories per day would lead to about a pound of weight loss per week, said Kevin Hall, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
But it turns out, this rule of thumb is wrong, Hall said, because it doesn't take into account that metabolism slows down during dieting. Thus, predictions that used this rule were overly optimistic, Hall said.
Hall and colleagues have developed a model that takes into account an individual's age, height, weight and physical activity level to better predict how much weight they might lose on a diet and exercise plan.
Currently, the model is intended only for use by physicians and researchers scientists, Hall said.
Hall's research has also come up with a more realistic rule of thumb for weight loss. The new rule says you need to cut 10 calories per day from your diet for every pound you want to lose over a three-year period.
So cutting 100 calories per day will lead to a 10-pound weight loss over three years, Hall said. Half of this weight loss would occur over the first year. To lose more weight after the three-year period, you'd have to cut more calories, Hall said.
The model may help policy makers understand the impact of public health measures on the obesity epidemic. For instance, one estimate of the effect of a 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages predicted that such a tax would lead to a 50 percent reduction in the number of overweight people in the United States in a five-year period.
Hall 's new equation predicts about a 5 percent reduction in the percentage of overweight people in five years, Hall added. (ANI)
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Previous weight loss guidelines 'flawed'
Posted: February 27, 2012 at 1:48 am
FREDERICTON Losing weight is hard enough, but try doing it with the world watching and when you’d rather be dreaming of mice.
Tiny, a very large and lovable grey house cat, has become an international celebrity since he was left in a box outside the Fredericton SPCA on Dec. 30. But no one at the shelter was quite prepared for a cat the size of Tiny, or the media attention he has received since.
“We thought someone was bringing in donations, such as computer paper or newspaper, things that we need, and they set down the box and they left,” said LeeAnn Haggerty, the SPCA’s education co-ordinator. “Then we heard the box meow.
“We opened the box and out popped Tiny’s head, which was small when compared to his large size. ... Lifting Tiny out we realized he was a very large cat, probably one of the biggest we’ve seen.”
He weighed 13.7 kilograms.
Haggerty said her shock quickly changed to concern for his health. So Tiny was moved to a foster home and placed on a diet of special food and exercise.
His efforts to shed weight is aimed at helping other animals at the shelter. A Facebook page called Tiny’s Weight Loss Challenge now has close to 1,700 friends and had raised about $1,900 by Friday.
The money will help provide surgeries for animals left at the shelter.
“It’s really important to have a fund such as Tiny’s Weight Loss Challenge to help us give the care,” said Haggerty.
She said Tiny has lost about 2.25 kilograms so far and has prompted some staff members, including Haggerty, to stick to their own New Year’s resolutions to lose weight.
Tiny’s progress is turning into a good news story that has drawn national and international media attention, including CNN and People magazine’s website.
“We know that cats are pretty popular on the Internet but we weren’t expecting this,” Haggerty said.
Some of Tiny’s supporters have entered him in a best cat contest on Ellen DeGeneres’s website, but Haggerty said they haven’t received a reply yet.
She said the news coverage has brought attention to the importance of keeping pets healthy.
Tiny is a happy cat with a personality that’s big enough to match his girth. He enjoys chasing a laser pointer, which Haggerty says is a great way for him to get some exercise.
The goal is for Tiny to slim down to about nine kilograms over the next 12 to 18 months.
“The goal is a slow and steady weight loss because we want to make sure his weight loss is healthy,” she said.
The Canadian Press
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Fat cat’s weight loss challenge makes Tiny a big celebrity
