Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

After the initial burst of losing weight consistently you have hit a plateau (Shutterstock)

You may have been on a weight loss journey for a while but after the initial burst of losing weight consistently you have hit a plateau. There could be many reasons for this but here are some of the most common:

1.Eating too much

When you initially start losing weight, doing simple things like cutting out sugar or avoiding carbs in the evening will cause enough of a calorie deficit for weight to begin to drop off naturally.

However, once your weight begins to drop, your body will need less and less calories to function so if you are not keeping track of your calorie intake, you will eventually get to the point where you are eating too many calories daily for weight loss.

2.Lack of consistency

While you may be eating healthily and exercising, if you are not being consistent then this will affect your weight loss long term.

The odd treat or cheat day is fine but if these treats become regular or you are constantly falling off the exercise wagon then you will not see the results.

3.Too much of a good thing

Foods like fruits, nuts, olive oil, whole grain foods and lean meats are healthy foods that we should consume on a regular basis.

However, these foods are still calorific, and if we are eating too much of them then our calories can quickly add up. This is particularly the case with calorie dense foods like avocados and nuts.

Eating more than half an avocado or a handful of nuts can quickly add several hundred calories per serving to your day.

4.Starving yourself

Conversely, not eating enough food can also cause your weight loss to stall. With a large reduction in quantity of food, you will initially see a corelating drop in weight.

However, consistently eating too little will slow down your metabolism, causing your body to hold on to fat reserves and instead begin to burn muscle mass.

This will in turn slow down your weight loss further, leading you to eat unsustainably low amounts of food to try and maintain your momentum.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments and specialoffers!

5.Liquid calories

You may think the odd glass of wine, fruit juice or soda will not hurt but these liquids have substantial amounts of calories, most of which are considered empty.

Meaning, they have little nutritional value and they do not leave you satiated so you will still need to eat on top of the calories you have drunk.

Liquid calories can quickly add up over the course of the week so it is safer to stick to water and herbal teas.

6.Not lifting weights

You may be doing a lot of cardio to lose weight, which is good for burning calories and improving heart health.

However, if you want to keep burning calories while at rest, then you need to increase your muscle mass and you can only do this by lifting weights.

The reason men lose weight faster than women is because they naturally have more muscle, so get in the gym and get lifting!

Continue reading here:
Six reasons why you are not losing weight - The Standard

It's been hard to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic.Many people spent the spring lockdown binge watching TV shows, baking bread or sitting on the couch all day.

Naturally, 71 million Americans have gained weight during the pandemic and, as a result, 52% say they feel down about they way they look, according to astudy commissioned by the biotechnology company Gelesis.

"While our survey has found Americans have been motivated to develop healthier habits amidst the pandemic, it has also brought to light how many Americans who want to lose weight continue to struggle," Elaine Chiquette, Gelesis chief scientific officer, said in a press release.

Geles surveyed 1,012 adults online and used U.S. Census data to ensure the demographics of those participants represented the population. The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 points.

While there are limitations to every survey, John Morton, medical director of bariatric surgery at Yale New Haven Health System, said he's seen patients in telehealth appointments who've gained anywhere from five to 30 pounds in quarantine.

"Anecdotally, we are definitely seeing weight gain," Morton told Yale Medicine. "You can put on 30 pounds really quickly you can do it in three months."

A global study from researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana showed a decline in healthy behaviors during the pandemic were correlated with widespread lockdowns regardless of geography.

"Individuals with obesity were impacted the most and that's what we were afraid of," Emily Flanagan, author of the study, toldThe New York Times. "They not only started off with higher anxiety levels before the pandemic, but they also had the largest increase in anxiety levels throughout the pandemic."

The Gelesis researchers found people became overwhelmingly sedentary, reduced the intensity of their workouts and caved to their food cravings during lockdown.

Women were more likely to report weight gain during the pandemic. Sixty percent of women said they felt self conscious of their appearance.

Anxiety, stress and lack of motivation were common effects of the pandemic, too. Fifty percent of respondents said they lacked motivation, 33% were more anxious and 41% were more stressed.

Yale Medicine said COVID-19 has created a perfect storm of stress and uncertainty that can lead to weight gain.

"Life has been disrupted in a major way," said Artur Viana, clinical director of the Yale Metabolic Health and Weight Loss Program. He cited gym closures, heightened stress, postponed checkups and physicals among the contributing factors.

"We know that obesity's causes are multifactorial and that stress is involved," Viana said. "Not only are there organic body changes, but we turn to food as a way to cope with stress."

The survey also found 40 million Americans would give up social media for the rest of the year if it meant losing 10 pounds but only 17% of those surveyed were willing to part with TV streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

"In a year when weve all already given up so much, our data shows that people would give up even more if it meant being able to lose weight by the end of the year and they remain hopeful about losing weight and feeling healthy in 2021," Chiquette said.

Over half of those surveyed said that maintaining a healthy lifestyle under quarantine was a challenge, and that they needed more support to lose weight. Their top challenges included the cost of healthy food, limited time to exercise or cook healthy meals and a lack of long-term motivation.

So how do you lose the weight?

One pound of fat is the equivalent of 3,500 calories.The key to shedding weight is cutting 500 calories from your diet every day through exercise and reducing calorie intake, Kathleen Zelman, a registered dietician, wrote in a WebMD story. Following that protocol, you could lose up to a pound a week.

Eating more produce and less processed foods is an important part of weight loss, she said. People should also avoid sugary beverages that contain excess calories.

Maintaining a daily routine, planning meals and dressing up for work even if you work from home can help you stay on track with your fitness goals, Morton and Viana, of Yale, said. Staying in your sweat pants all day may hide any gradual weight gain.

Experts say to never skip the most important meal of the day. Studies show that people who eat breakfast every day have lower body mass indexes than people who skip it, Zelman noted.

Time spent in shutdown can be used to try new, healthy recipes that have whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats.

"When you are eating foods you like, you can learn to get a taste of fullness from taste as opposed to only the quantity of food," Morton said.

Exercising regularly helps keep off the weight after you lose it, Viana said, and prioritizing sleep can help shed pounds. Studies show that obesity is linked to adults who don't get enough sleep each night. Adults should aim for at least seven to eight hours a night.

The World Health Organization recommends adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise to vigorous exercise per week. Experts suggest finding creative ways to get it during the pandemic: create a makeshift gym, hold family yoga sessions or use household cleaning as a way to increase daily steps.

The rest is here:
How to lose weight gained during the 2020 pandemic: Eat healthy, exercise more, experts say - PhillyVoice.com

Dear Dr. Roach: I have had fatty liver for the past 10 years. To reverse it, I am trying to lose weight. Now I am 116 kilograms. I have heard that if someone has fatty liver and wants to lose weight, they should not lose more than 1.5 kg per week. This week, I lost 3 kg. What is your advice? A.A.

Answer: The advice against too much weight loss too quickly was based on an observation that some people rebounded their weight after losing it. Newer studies have not confirmed that. In fact, people with large amounts of weight loss (more than 2 kg in the first four weeks) have been shown to have a better chance of keeping the weight off. If you are losing weight due to healthier diet and exercise, I would advise continuing those behaviors and not worrying about losing too much too quickly.

Any kind of weight loss can temporarily increase the risk of gallstones. Having some sources of healthy fat in the diet (such as nuts or avocados) will decrease this risk.

Early on in the first few weeks of weight loss, especially in people using a higher fat diet, much of the apparent weight loss is by loss of water associated with glycogen stores.

Dear Dr. Roach: What is an epiretinal membrane? My doctor says I have this but it is not bad enough to be treated. I am 86 years old, and my vision is blurry. How would this be treated? T.V.

Answer: An epiretinal membrane, also called a macular pucker, is a thin layer that forms over the retina at the back of the eye. It is semi-translucent, and as such can cause loss of vision or visual distortion. They are common and occur more frequently in older individuals. Most of the time, they do not require treatment. They can form for no particular reason, and these are usually asymptomatic. However, an epiretinal membrane can form after certain eye conditions, especially retinal detachment. Its possible for it to attach to and pull the retina, causing distortions in the vision. It may also decrease vision when it is thicker and interfering with the function of the retina.

The only treatment is surgery. The decision to perform surgery is made by how much the vision is affected. Although surgery is relatively safe and usually effective, there are possible complications. Most eye doctors do not rush to surgery, except in less-common cases where there is swelling in the most critical part of the retina (called the macula) for central vision. People whose epiretinal membrane gets worse, or who have the kind that can pull the retina out of shape, may also require surgery.

Dr. Roach writes: A recent column on pneumonia vaccines contained an error: I said that the 13-valent conjugate vaccine, Prevnar, was a 2-dose series. It is a single dose. Many people get both the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, Pneumovax, as well as the 13-valent Prevnar, but my column misstated this. I appreciate my sharp-eyed colleagues who wrote in to correct this.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

2020 North America Syndicate Inc.

Continued here:
To Your Good Health, Is slow the best speed for fatty liver weight loss? - Watertown Daily Times

National Review

Both Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Georgia hold slight leads over their Democratic opponents in the January runoff election races, which will determine which party controls the chamber for at least the next two years, according to new polling out of Emerson College.The poll, released Wednesday, found Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue with nearly identical advantages, with each receiving support from 51 percent of respondents, compared to 48 percent for Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The races are essentially tied, because the advantages in both races fall within the polls 3.9 percent margin of error.The Democrats need to win both races to win control of the Senate. If both Warnock and Ossoff win, there would be a 50-50 split, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaker.The poll found little crossover support, meaning few voters will vote for a Republican in one race and a Democrat in the other.Which suggests one party should win both seats, Spencer Kimball, Emersons polling director, said in a prepared statement.The Democrats held large leads over the Republicans among younger voters and urban voters, while the Republicans were stronger with older and rural voters, and voters with a high school degree or less. The poll found Loeffler and Perdue with slight leads in the suburbs, with 52 percent support compared to 47 percent for Warnock and Ossoff.Thirty-one percent of poll respondents named the economy as their top issue, followed by COVID-19 response (24 percent), healthcare (15 percent) and social justice (12 percent).Another poll released earlier this week showed Loeffler and Perdue both holding slight 49 percent to 48 percent advantages over the Democrats.The recent polling shows support for the Republicans climbing. In early December, a poll by SurveyUSA found Warnock with a 52 percent to 45 percent lead over Loeffler, and Ossoff with a narrower 50 percent to 48 percent advantage.

Read the original post:
Former Denver Broncos player hiking with random Coloradans to lose weight - Yahoo News

The winter season is underway and with the biting cold, health experts call upon you to drink some of that yummy carrot juice.

Eating carrot improves the eyesight because it is full of vitamin A, which results in a better eyesight for the one who consumes it.

This red-coloured bright vegetable can be included in various ways in your food, from salads and curries to just grabbing one out of your fridge and munching on it.

This winter, you should quit unhealthy drinks as well as beverages and strive for countless benefits by including carrot juice in your diet.

Carrot juice is a common drink that is used in winters as it is full of various benefits and necessary food ingredients. You can add other vegetables and fruits to enhance their overall value too.

Carrot juice is loaded with vitamin A and high in vitamins C and K. It also contains plant compounds called carotenoids, which act as antioxidants in your body.

Benefits of carrot juice

The carrot juice is full of vitamin A, which is necessary for the health of your eyes. Carrot juice contains high amounts of nutrients which play a prominent role in nourishing your eyes.

Can improve blood sugar control

Drinking small amounts of carrot juice may help lower blood sugar levels but the trick is to use it in small doses, not large ones.

Carrot juice has lower fibre than whole carrots. This means that the lower fiber content results in its sugars being absorbed more quickly. Experts advise that drinking too much may spike your blood sugar levels.

The nutrients in carrot juice may be particularly beneficial for skin health since the vitamin C in it acts as an antioxidant to protect your skin from free radical damage.

Carrot juice may help reduce risk factors for heart disease as its antioxidant compounds benefit the heart.

The potassium and antioxidants in carrot juice may help lower blood pressure and decrease risk factors for heart disease.

Low in calories and full of fibre, carrots are one superfood for weight loss. Carrot juice helps in bile secretion which helps to burn fat and thus aids weight loss.

Here is the original post:
Heres why you should drink plenty of carrot juice this winter - Geo News

In March, as the world went to hell and New York City went into lockdown, Queens-born chef turned hip-hop-artist Action Bronson (Ariyan Arslani, Baklava) began a 127-pound weight loss grind. Now, nine months later, he said it's almost like he never had that weight to begin with.

At his heaviest, Bronson was pushing 400 pounds, and with the birth of his son last year, he decided enough was enough. Ive been a big boy my whole life and it got out of control, he tells Mens Health. My entire career was based around living a fast, hard life. And I got myself together and here we are in December and Im 249 pounds this morningshredded!

Bronsons gym time was important for his weight loss, but his dietary changes were essential; the former chef had to battle indulgence, starting at sunrise.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Bronson said his days begin now around 4:30 AM, sometimes with a soft-scrambled eggs (no browning!), and always with a protein shake. "I have to make two portions because its an after-the-workout shake also," he said. (Shake recipe: fruit, olive oil, almonds, almond milk, protein.)

After workouts, lunch usually consists of five to 10 egg whites and chickenI wanna look like Eddie Hall, Bronson said, grinningand broccolidefrosted in hot water, thrown with olive oil into a hot pan and sauted with garlic: beautiful.

Bronson avoids unhealthy snacking habits by relying on roasted nuts, hit with honey and spices like cayenne and cinnamon. The rest of the day is varied, healthy chaos for Bronson who might eat sopita or other soupsyoure boiling out all this goodness, all this soul, and youre putting back into your souland then a light, low-carb dinnergrilled chicken and broccoli.

I havent had a good pasta in months, man, he said, sadly. I love pasta. The difference for Bronson these days, however, is willpower. Dessert has to be carefully considered and then avoided.

Men's Health

Its hard to have dessert, Bronson explained. You become unconscious when youre eating that stuff. You cant gage the size and what the impact has. The smallest thing could be the worst thing in the world.

Bronson recently spent his birthday staring down a cake. I looked at it. I know what that cake taste like But I have willpower now. He recommended seeking out natural, unprocessed sweets like raw cacao and almond butter.

Or you could just go with fruit, Bronson said. And maybe baklava, on very special occasions.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Excerpt from:
The Diet Action Bronson Follows to Lose Weight - menshealth.com

Diet culture is a tricky subject. While it has evolved from the insanity of the late nineties and early noughties, there is still a lot of scepticism around some of the trending diets taking hold today.

In the era of fitness bloggers and nutritionist Instagram pages, there are thousands of different experts telling us a thousand different and conflicting ways to slim down. Some take the more modern, holistic approach, teaching body positivity, moderation and exercise, keeping the entire process simple. Others, however, maintain that there is a complex and specific formula to gaining the body you want.

One of these formulas that has taken over the weight loss world is intermittent fasting. A practice used since ancient times, according to Harvard School of Public Health, there is evidence that this method was in use in the times of the ancient Greeks . Popular belief says that intermittent fasting increases longevity, reduces body weight and promotes healthy ageing.

The idea is based on the fact that humans did not always have access to the large quantities of food that we do today and that three large daily meals as well as snacks in between were not consumed. Intermittent fasting promotes mimicking this idea, going for certain periods of time without consuming food depending on your body weight and weight loss plan and only drinking water, and unsweetened beverages during this time.

Now that Unislim Ireland has adopted a version of this method as part of their Balance Plan, we decided to look a little harder at what this diet thats generating more interest than any other fad before actually entails.

We decided to build on our fantastic Balance plan to help you give your weight-loss a turbo boost by introducing our brand NEW Flexifast plan. Flexifast is a unique and innovative fasting-focused plan developed by some of Irelands leading dieticians to show you how to manage fasting successfully and safely in 2020.

There are a few different ways to go about intermittently fasting. The different types are tailored to the subjects lifestyle and revolve around when and how you eat;

Alternate day fasting requires fasting every other day.

Modified alternate day fasting means allowing a small consumption of calories on fasting day, usually less the 75% of your normal caloric intake.

The 5:2 diet, also known as the fast diet, requires abstaining totally from food for 2 days of the week and then maintaining a normal diet the other 5 days. This method is purported to combat the effects of initial rapid weight loss from caloric deficiency, claiming to prevent the body from clinging to the fat cells as a store of heat and energy, and instead reaping the benefits of a short term fast, including weight loss.

The hours of the day in which food is allowed to be consumed are also a factor in this diet. The rule to live by is 16:8, 18:6, and 20:4. The 16:8 method is the most popular, involving a 16 hour fast and then an 8 hour period within which to consume your meals. Therefore, this window generally excludes either breakfast or dinner. There is a history of nutritionists suggesting that eating within a certain window is beneficial to not only weight loss but our sleep patterns and digestive system. However, that history does not include advising skipping meals.

(Sources)

Some articles about intermittent fasting claim that the primary fuel for most cells and organs in the body are glucose, fatty acids and ketone bodies and that these are used for energy or stored as triglycerides. These articles claim that during periods of fasting, triglycerides are broken down to make fatty acids available and that practising intermittent fasting means the bodys cells will periodically not have access to glucose. Instead, they will use free fatty acids and ketone bodies as their primary fuel. They call this process intermittent metabolic switching or glucose-ketone (G-to-K) switchover

The idea is that when the bodys glycogen stores become depleted, as happens during fasting, the body starts to break down fat. The breakdown of fats increases the availability of fatty acids, which most cells can use for energy.

However, a recent summary of the current scientific evidence indicates that our understanding of the effects of fasting on physical performance is not complete. Although some studies are clearly positive, others have reported decreased performances while others showed no effect

(Sources)

Physiologically, calorie restriction has been shown in animals to increase lifespan and improve tolerance to various metabolic stresses in the body. [4] Although the evidence for caloric restriction in animal studies is strong, there is less convincing evidence in human studies.

Harvard School of Public Health also notes that while many of the studies saw that participants did in fact lose weight roughly 7-11 pounds over a 10-week period it noted that many of these studies were flawed in their methods;

Many different study designs and methods of intermittent fasting were used, and participant characteristics differed (lean vs. obese). Half of the studies were controlled trials comparing the fasting group to a comparison group and/or a control group (either continuous calorie restriction or usual lifestyle), with the other half examining an intermittent fasting group alone.

While these studies are flawed, their results show some interesting findings;

Dropout rates (people giving up on the diet) ranged from 0-65%. When comparing dropout rates between the fasting groups and continuous calorie restriction groups, no significant differences were found. Overall, the review did not find that intermittent fasting had a low dropout rate, and therefore was not necessarily easier to follow than other weight loss approaches.

When examining the 12 clinical trials that compared the fasting group with the continuous calorie restriction group, there was no significant difference in weight loss amounts or body composition changes.

Ten trials that investigated changes in appetite did not show an overall increase in appetite in the intermittent fasting groups despite significant weight loss and decreases in leptin hormone levels (a hormone that suppresses appetite).

This type of dietary pattern would be difficult for someone who eats every few hours (e.g., snacks between meals, grazes). It would also not be appropriate for those with conditions that require food at regular intervals due to metabolic changes caused by their medications, such as with diabetes. Prolonged periods of food deprivation or semi-starvation places one at risk for overeating when food is reintroduced and may foster unhealthy behaviours such as an increased fixation on food.

The Harvard School of Public Health warns that;

Individuals with the following conditions should abstain from intermittent fasting:

Diabetes

Eating disorders that involve unhealthy self-restriction (anorexia or bulimia nervosa)

Use of medications that require food intake

Active growth stage, such as in adolescents

Pregnancy, breastfeeding

Some studies suggest that alternate-day fasting is about as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss. That seems reasonable because reducing the number of calories you eat should help you lose weight.

Can intermittent fasting improve your health? Losing weight and being physically active help lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, sleep apnea and some types of cancer. For these diseases, intermittent fasting seems to be about as beneficial as any other type of diet that reduces overall calories.

Manpreet Mundi M.D. says that there is some research to suggest that intermittent fasting may be more beneficial than other diets for reducing inflammation and improving conditions associated with inflammation, such as:

Alzheimer's disease

Arthritis

Asthma

Multiple sclerosis

Stroke

However, he notes the side affects that intermittent fasting can have, although they generally go away after a month on the diet. They are;

Hunger

Fatigue

Insomnia

Nausea

Headaches

Mundi is careful also to note that intermittent fasting is safe for many people, but it's not for everyone. Skipping meals may not be the best way to manage your weight if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes or other medical problems, talk with your doctor before starting intermittent fasting.

Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson, Ph.D., has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years. One of Mattsons studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed data about a range of health benefits associated with the practice of intermittent fasting. Benefits include a longer life, a leaner body and a sharper mind.

Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers, he says.

Dietician, Christie Williams also stresses that before you try intermittent fasting (or any diet), you should check in with your primary care practitioner first. Some people who should steer clear of trying intermittent fasting are:

Children and teens under age 18.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

People with diabetes or blood sugar problems.

Those with a history of eating disorders.

But, Johns Hopkins dietician Christie Williams, M.S., R.D.N. says, People not in these categories who can do intermittent fasting safely can continue the regimen indefinitely. It can be a lifestyle change, she says, and one with benefits.

Keep in mind that intermittent fasting may have different effects on different people. Talk to your doctor if you start experiencing unusual anxiety, headaches, nausea or other symptoms after you start intermittent fasting.

While this is a method that seems to be slowly and cautiously being embraced, as seen with the experts here, it is clear that there is little definitive evidence yet about whether or not this method is actually any better or worse than normal caloric regulation.

However, what it does seem to promote is a fixation on the limitation of food for longer periods of time than other diets. It is a slippery slope from a days fasting to an obsession about how long one can go without food. While there does seem to be a safe way to practice this method, it raises red flags for anyone susceptible to obsession with weight and calorie intake. Studies still leave a lot of questions unanswered. What are the long term effects? Is t safe for athletes? Does fasting for a day affect ones ability to do tasks like work and drive?

Practising intermittent fasting is a personal decision and one that must be made between you and your doctor.

Read more here:
Intermittent fasting The facts - SHEmazing

Ruben Cardona plans to spend Christmas in his loft in East Downtown with his partner.

I've been so eager to decorate this year I put up all my holiday stuff up even before Thanksgiving, he said.

Cardonas tree is decorated and covered with lights, and his stockings for humans as well as his dogs Ramsey and Bug are hanging. Instead of visiting family, Cardona, 28, will schedule FaceTime and telephone calls to stay connected.

We decided to do our holidays apart, he said.

In some ways, staying separate will make Cardonas celebration easier this year. A few months ago, he had a gastric sleeve procedure. After weight-loss surgery, diets and portion sizes are restricted, making Christmas dinner trickier to navigate.

Its my first holiday season with this surgery, he said.

Since most Christmas parties are canceled because of COVID-19, Cardona can stick more easily to his prescribed post-surgery diet. He can control how much he eats and when he sits down for a meals.

Cardona has also committed to making smart choices, such as subbing mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes and forgoing the wine this holiday season.

These decisions are less difficult to make without holiday parties and family meals.

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, 252,000 bariatric procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2018. At Baylor College of Medicine, where Cardona is a patient, about 160 weight-loss procedures are performed annually.

A lot of patients get concerned, said Rachel Griehs, a dietitian at Baylor College of Medicine who has been working with Cardona. When they get together with friends and family, theres food all over. Its a challenge for them.

Cardonas bariatric surgeon at Baylor, Dr. Juliet Holder-Haynes, said patients are often worried about managing meals after the procedure especially for their first holiday.

For patients who have bariatric surgery, there are a lot of concerns about food in general, she said. Holidays and public events can be stressful.

It can be difficult to explain to your mother why you cant try her specialty this year or why second helpings are out of the question, she said. It can be awkward when they can only have small amounts of food.

Punch and champagne are often off limits, which can be confusing to friends who want to celebrate over a toast.

They cant do it like they used to, and that can cause a lot of stress, Griehs said.

She explained that after a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, a patients stomach is literally smaller.

They cant always eat certain things, and they wont be able to overeat, Griehs said. Were changing their anatomy and their stomach. You almost have to treat their stomach like its brand new.

Even munching on something dry like turkey or too sweet like a Christmas cookie can make them sick, she added. Not only are certain foods off limits, but portion size is crucial. Eating too much of a food even one thats typically safe can lead to vomiting.

Starches can be too heavy for a weight-loss-surgery patient. They can be heavy, like a lump in the stomach, said Griehs, who recommends patients stick with protein. Keep that food to the smallest portion. Eat everything else first.

That means, after the Christmas ham and a vegetable, a spoonful of mashed potatoes or stuffing can suffice.

Dumping syndrome diarrhea, nausea, cramping or light-headedness caused by rapid gastric emptying is common when patients eat sugar or drink during a meal.

Foods that dont sit in the stomach literally dump, Griehs said. For some people, they can eat barbecue sauce and that happens. For others, its a piece of cake. Theres nothing you can do about it. You just have to go through it, and its almost like food poisoning.

Staying away from dessert, alcohol and carbohydrates can help post-operation individuals feel better. Still, a new dish can pose a problem, simply because patients do not know how they will react to certain ingredients.

Eat the stuff you know you can eat, Griehs said. Be aware of ingredients in dishes. Maybe bring a dish you know that you can eat.

In addition, she tells patients to eat slowly and chew food well. Drinking water and eating also must become separate occasions.

You cannot eat and drink together, she said. It creates a lot of pressure on the stomach. Then you would feel bad for a couple of hours.

She also suggests using a saucer instead of a plate to limit portions and to bring baby silverware to force small bites of food.

If they have one bite too many, they will get sick, Griehs said. They dont want to get to that point.

Michelle Stacker, 51, underwent the procedure in May after hypothyroidism caused her to gain weight even though she ate healthfully and exercised. Weight-loss surgery seemed like the solution. Already, shes lost 60 pounds. Now she enjoys running around with her grandchildren in the park.

Having this surgery changed my life, said Stacker, who lives in The Woodlands. I feel so good. I wake up, and Im not aching. I wake up, and Im not hurting.

Still, adjusting to her diet has its challenges. Her once-typical salads dont sit well in her stomach anymore, and she can take only a couple of sips of her beloved daiquiris before placing them back in the freezer for later. She often drinks protein shakes instead of meals to help with her nutrition.

During the holidays, she plans to cook stuffing, cake and other favorites for her family.

Stacker will be eating with baby silverware to control her portions. She also has to be careful not to take in too much air when she drinks water.

Stacker said the extra effort is worth it.

This year, Im feeling joy that I attribute to the surgery, she said. I dont feel sick. Im active, and I get to play with my grandchildren.

Some patients will want to limit their calories to a holiday party and restrict what they eat the rest of the day or even skip some meals. Thats a bad idea, Griehs said. It can lead to over-eating and chewing too fast.

A lot of people will go all day without eating and then be ravenous, she explained. I tell people to eat light, but be sure you eat. You want to stick to your regular schedule of eating.

Still, Griehs said to remember that each holiday get-together lasts only a day. If an individual overeats or has a dessert, its not the end of the world.

Patients often worry about gaining back the weight they lost with surgery, Griehs explained.

Theres a honeymoon phase after the operation when they can lose weight no matter what, she said. That doesnt last forever. Their appetite starts coming back, and if they havent changed the way that they think about food, they will likely go back to old eating habits.

Holder-Haynes agreed. One bad meal is not going to cause you to have weight gain, she said. Its a pattern of behavior that leads to weight gain. One Christmas meal wont sabotage you.

She advises patients to remember why they had the surgery in the first place when they get frustrated about their diets during the holiday.

Before surgery, your relationship with food had to change, she said.

Holder-Haynes also suggests that patients have a game plan. Plan what youll eat, and picture what your plate will look like, she said.

Cardona said that both Holder-Haynes and Griehs consider him a patient for life, not simply during the surgery.

If you have any questions, they tell me to feel free to reach out, Cardona said. Ive done that, and I enjoy it.

They have both been clear to him that weight loss is a process.

This is going to be a lifelong thing, he said. This is something I have to work for. I want to keep this going. Ill set new goals, and Ill keep moving forward.

Cardonas surgery was at the end of August. Four months later, he now weighs 206 pounds, down from 287 pounds.

Hes become extremely aware of what he can eat and when. Already, he feels healthier. Before his surgery, even walking his dogs would hurt his feet and back.

But now I feel like I have more energy and can withstand walking longer and farther, he said. My dogs are very appreciative.

Maybe the holidays shouldnt be all about food anyway, he added.

Were so used to holiday get-togethers and food, Cardona said. Its not about the food and gifts. Its about the holidays.

In Christmases past, Cardonas gatherings often centered on the food; after dessert, everyone left. Thats changing, as he and other family members have opted for weight-loss surgery.

Food hasnt been the center of our gatherings anymore. Its about bringing ourselves to the table instead, Cardona said.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.

Read the original here:
Eating off saucers and other ways to celebrate the holidays after weight-loss surgery - Houston Chronicle

Before-after pictures provide me the motivation to keep working on myself. I have achieved a great body now, and I plan to maintain it for my own well-being and good health.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? My mom has been a constant force of support throughout my weight loss journey. She used to encourage me, cook and arrange all diet-related ingredients which helped me. I always felt that I had to live up to her expectations and couldn't fail. So, 90% weight loss is credited to her, the rest 10%, I fulfilled my part:)

Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? Low self-esteem and confidence levels for sure. Even though I am tall, and never really encountered those typical fat-shaming comments, deep inside I always knew that I am not in a good shape and needed to work hard to correct my faults.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

After all the hard work that I have put in the past months, I am sure I will be maintaining the same body throughout my whole life ahead, not just 5-10 years. That's the promise I have made to myself.

See the original post here:
Lockdown weight loss: I had apple-chia seeds smoothie for dinner every day and lost 30+ kilos - Times of India

If you're trying to lose weight, you may experience common challenges, like slow progression or a weight loss plateau. But staying committed will pay off in the long run.

The best way to stay motivated will vary depending on the reasons you want to lose weight. You should always consult a doctor before beginning any weight loss plan to determine if losing weight is right for you and your own health needs.

Here are seven ways to stay motivated when trying to lose weight:

Setting goals is crucial for weight loss, says Sydney Spiewak, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

Research shows having small targets to aim for leads to greater long-term weight loss than trying to lose weight without setting goals.

Using the SMART method can help you set goals that are attainable and allow you to track your progress. SMART stands for:

Losing weight is easier when you have support from others, Spiewak says, especially if you can find a community of people with similar goals. Teaming up with friends or family members who also want to lose weight can help you stay motivated when you're struggling and allow you to hold each other accountable.

For example, a small 2014 study found social support and weekly accountability meetings were critical for study participants in meeting their weight loss goals and keeping the weight off.

Mindfulness means tuning into your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, and paying attention to how they affect your actions.

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for establishing healthy habits and making nutritious food choices, Spiewak says. This is because mindfulness encourages us to slow down, acknowledge how we're feeling, and tune out distractions.

"Think about how your food tastes, how it feels on your tongue, and your favorite part of the food," Spiewak says. "This will stop you from eating too quickly which will help you not overeat, and this will help you be more present in the moment."

Spiewak says it's crucial that your surroundings help you make healthy choices for weight loss. You can do this by:

Exercise can be challenging. But if you don't like running, you don't need to force yourself to do it, Spiewak says.

The best way to exercise is to find a type of workout you like doing and can stick with:

Writing down what you eat helps hold you accountable and makes it clear where you can improve. Keeping a food diary can also help you spot trends or certain triggers that may cause you to veer off course.

In fact, a large 2008 study found keeping a food journal can double a person's weight loss. In another 2012 study, participants who kept food journals experienced a greater percentage of weight loss than those who did not.

Losing weight is hard and it's often not a linear process, Spiewak says. It's common to experience plateaus or even occasional weight gains.

"Life is not perfect, your weight loss journey will contain setbacks, but it will also contain great triumphs," Spiewak says. "Reminding yourself that you are human is extremely important."

It's crucial to forgive yourself when you experience a setback. An illness or a stressful day at work may cause you to falter but staying committed to your long-term goals is more important than striving for everyday perfection.

"An all or nothing mindset is detrimental to achieving your goals," Spiewak says. "There will be times where your nutrition is not perfect. Maybe you didn't have time to meal prep or maybe it's your birthday and you want to have a slice of cake. Give yourself the freedom to do so and then get back on the wagon for either the next meal or the next day."

If you've been trying to lose weight for a few months and aren't making much progress, you should reach out to your doctor or a dietitian for help, Spiewak says.

You may have an undiagnosed medical condition that is inhibiting your ability to lose weight or may just need some professional help in setting realistic goals. A doctor or dietitian can also help you determine if losing weight is the right decision for you and your health.

Losing weight is a journey that presents challenges for nearly everyone. Setting attainable goals, finding a community of support, and forgiving yourself when you experience setbacks can help you stay motivated to reach your weight loss goals.

See more here:
7 ways to stay motivated on your weight loss journey, according to a dietitian - Insider - INSIDER