Good Wednesday Morning....Please be careful driving out there today....
Today I bring up a topic that was brought up by a patient in the program yesterday...a topic that is uneasy for most people to discuss and an issue that probably does affect most people with weight issues...sex.
The patient told me that since she lost over 40 pounds, one of the best outcomes of this has been a marked improvement in her relations with her husband. She said that not only does she feel much more attractive, but physically, everything seems to work much better. She told me that her husband seems much more interested in passionate moments and keeps commenting about how much younger he feels and how much younger she looks.
I have had several men tell me that after their significant weight loss, erectile dysfunction improved.
Clearly, there are many other reasons why losing weight improves the quality of life, but there are certain "byproducts" of significant weight loss...improved relations is one of them.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
weight and psychological issues
Good Tuesday Morning...
Yesterday I had an interesting discussion with a patient in our program which allowed me to obtain some additional insight into some of the damaging psychological aspects involved with people having weight control issues.
People who do not have weight issues do no think/angst for a second about such mundane things as getting on an airplane and thinking whether the seatbelt will go around them, thinking about whether an event will require a certain type of clothes that may not fit or worrying whether an event will include picture taking of the people attending.
My patient told me that before she lost a significant amount of weight, issues such as these and more would preoccupy her thought processes in a very negative fashion. Even so far as to choose (and pay more) for an airline that she knew had a larger seat/seatbelts that would fit around her.
Losing weight helps reduce medical risks such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers etc. However, the psychological improvement that accompanies weight loss is incredible.
Yesterday I had an interesting discussion with a patient in our program which allowed me to obtain some additional insight into some of the damaging psychological aspects involved with people having weight control issues.
People who do not have weight issues do no think/angst for a second about such mundane things as getting on an airplane and thinking whether the seatbelt will go around them, thinking about whether an event will require a certain type of clothes that may not fit or worrying whether an event will include picture taking of the people attending.
My patient told me that before she lost a significant amount of weight, issues such as these and more would preoccupy her thought processes in a very negative fashion. Even so far as to choose (and pay more) for an airline that she knew had a larger seat/seatbelts that would fit around her.
Losing weight helps reduce medical risks such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers etc. However, the psychological improvement that accompanies weight loss is incredible.
Monday, December 7, 2009
weight loss and vacation choices
Good Monday Morning.....
I was up in Atlantic City for an overnight on Saturday and one of the things I noticed very prominently at the Taj Mahal Hotel was that the number of overweight/obese people at the casino was amazingly high. We all know that the percentage of Americans overweight is 67% but my estimate was that the number was closer to 85% at the hotel.
I went to the gym upon arrival and I was the only person in the gym right smack in the middle of the day.
Activities at the hotel? gambling and eating and drinking.....clearly, if someone is in a mode to lose weight, this would NOT be a good choice of vacation venues.
As you are pondering your winter getaways AND if you are in a weight losing mode, try to avoid "All -Inclusive" resorts, cruise ships, Las Vegas or any other place which focuses on "all you can eat" and lots of drinking...Perhaps vacations that inolve lots of hiking/touring/walking Perhaps food venues that focus on quality..not quantity...
Set yourself up for success in your weight loss efforts and choose your vacation venues wisely.
I was up in Atlantic City for an overnight on Saturday and one of the things I noticed very prominently at the Taj Mahal Hotel was that the number of overweight/obese people at the casino was amazingly high. We all know that the percentage of Americans overweight is 67% but my estimate was that the number was closer to 85% at the hotel.
I went to the gym upon arrival and I was the only person in the gym right smack in the middle of the day.
Activities at the hotel? gambling and eating and drinking.....clearly, if someone is in a mode to lose weight, this would NOT be a good choice of vacation venues.
As you are pondering your winter getaways AND if you are in a weight losing mode, try to avoid "All -Inclusive" resorts, cruise ships, Las Vegas or any other place which focuses on "all you can eat" and lots of drinking...Perhaps vacations that inolve lots of hiking/touring/walking Perhaps food venues that focus on quality..not quantity...
Set yourself up for success in your weight loss efforts and choose your vacation venues wisely.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
weight loss and liquid diets
Good Sunday Morning....
I read in the NY Post this morning that Slimfast had a recall of their products because of possible bacterial contamination.
I have mentioned this before and will do so again: Long term weight loss strategies MUST be based on eating "real food" as opposed to meal replacements. Learning how to eat the proper admixture of proteins, fruits, carbs etc in the correct portions is what will sustain your weight loss.
The Post labeled the story "The Diarrhea Diet".....pretty funny, huh?
GO GIANTS!!!!!!
I read in the NY Post this morning that Slimfast had a recall of their products because of possible bacterial contamination.
I have mentioned this before and will do so again: Long term weight loss strategies MUST be based on eating "real food" as opposed to meal replacements. Learning how to eat the proper admixture of proteins, fruits, carbs etc in the correct portions is what will sustain your weight loss.
The Post labeled the story "The Diarrhea Diet".....pretty funny, huh?
GO GIANTS!!!!!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
weight loss and maintenance
First, I want to thank the people who posted some very nice comments and also the patients and staff who were a part of our event last nite. We missed our patients who could not make it and do wish to thank you again for being our patients.
This past week we had a number of patients return to our practice who were with us awhile ago and unfortunately put on a significant amount of weight that they had lost. I emphasized to these patients (and to those of you who may have done this and have not come back in) that we understand this completely and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Many of these patients told me that they hesitated to pick up the phone and call us because of the embarrassment factor.
As much as we tell ourselves that there is no "finish line", when we exit the formal visits of a program psychologically we tend to perceive a finish line and start returning to old behavior patterns. As this relates to eating behaviors this will result in weight gain.
I implore every one reading this to write your weight down once a week next to your scale at home and if that weight goes up 5 pounds from when you exit our program, CALL US. This becomes a one time visit...not a multiple week, thousand dollar program. We will refocus you, provide you with a medical jumpstart again and you will lose those 5 pounds quickly. Unfortunately if 30 pounds or more goes back on it is a full program again.
This is hard...nothing easy about losing weight and maintaining. We are here to help you.
This past week we had a number of patients return to our practice who were with us awhile ago and unfortunately put on a significant amount of weight that they had lost. I emphasized to these patients (and to those of you who may have done this and have not come back in) that we understand this completely and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Many of these patients told me that they hesitated to pick up the phone and call us because of the embarrassment factor.
As much as we tell ourselves that there is no "finish line", when we exit the formal visits of a program psychologically we tend to perceive a finish line and start returning to old behavior patterns. As this relates to eating behaviors this will result in weight gain.
I implore every one reading this to write your weight down once a week next to your scale at home and if that weight goes up 5 pounds from when you exit our program, CALL US. This becomes a one time visit...not a multiple week, thousand dollar program. We will refocus you, provide you with a medical jumpstart again and you will lose those 5 pounds quickly. Unfortunately if 30 pounds or more goes back on it is a full program again.
This is hard...nothing easy about losing weight and maintaining. We are here to help you.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Our 21st ANNIVERSARY
Good Friday Morning
Tonight represents the 21st anniversary of our medical practice and this is a very nostalgic and poignant night for me. We celebrate this by throwing a Patient Appreciation Nite. The staff and I provide low caloric and caloric foods and drinks and would love for you to stop by and join us.
For 21 years I have had the honor and priviledge of providing medical care (21 years) and weight loss help (7.2 years) for thousands and thousands of really great people in the Northern VA/DC/Maryland area. 15 years ago I made the bold and risky move of removing myself from insurance lists and so many patients continued to use our practice. I want to thank you so very much for allowing me to practice medicine without having some mid level insurance employee telling me how to treat you. Your loyalty to my practice is met with my loyalty to you: Anyone who has called me on a holiday/Sunday etc know what I am talking about...I am available to you and your family at all times and many of you have seen me in a sweaty baseball hat on a Sunday morning or had me placing an IV into you on Superbowl Sunday to have you avoid an ER visit.
Medicine is changing rapidly...from electronic health records where doctors walk around with PCs typing into it as they are talking to their patients never looking into their eyes to large practices where your call under duress is met with a recorded phone menu frustrating you because all you want is a human voice asking : "How can we help you?" Yes, I am old school but somehow I think that old school is good when it comes to helping people medically.
I want to thank Ellen, Brian and Kym for always supporting my efforts to establish and build the practice and also understanding when Dad had to run off to the office to see a patient after hours.
I want to thank all of my workers both past and especially present for allowing me to boast the "best practice in the area" and the fact that so many of you wonderful people still come to us despite the insurance issue tells me that that staff and I are doing a pretty good job.
For those of you expecting this retrospective nostalgic note to end with "I am announcing my retirement".....SORRY!!!!! I am more energized than ever!!! We have so many ideas as to how to help your medical and weight loss needs better and better. Our staff is young and full of enthusiasm and committed to bringing us to higher and higher levels of patient satisfaction.
I will end this with one more "thank you" for being our patient. Please join us tonight , 5-7 pm for our event. If you cannot make it, please know that your presence is missed and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you calling me "your doctor".
Onto the next 21 years!
Tonight represents the 21st anniversary of our medical practice and this is a very nostalgic and poignant night for me. We celebrate this by throwing a Patient Appreciation Nite. The staff and I provide low caloric and caloric foods and drinks and would love for you to stop by and join us.
For 21 years I have had the honor and priviledge of providing medical care (21 years) and weight loss help (7.2 years) for thousands and thousands of really great people in the Northern VA/DC/Maryland area. 15 years ago I made the bold and risky move of removing myself from insurance lists and so many patients continued to use our practice. I want to thank you so very much for allowing me to practice medicine without having some mid level insurance employee telling me how to treat you. Your loyalty to my practice is met with my loyalty to you: Anyone who has called me on a holiday/Sunday etc know what I am talking about...I am available to you and your family at all times and many of you have seen me in a sweaty baseball hat on a Sunday morning or had me placing an IV into you on Superbowl Sunday to have you avoid an ER visit.
Medicine is changing rapidly...from electronic health records where doctors walk around with PCs typing into it as they are talking to their patients never looking into their eyes to large practices where your call under duress is met with a recorded phone menu frustrating you because all you want is a human voice asking : "How can we help you?" Yes, I am old school but somehow I think that old school is good when it comes to helping people medically.
I want to thank Ellen, Brian and Kym for always supporting my efforts to establish and build the practice and also understanding when Dad had to run off to the office to see a patient after hours.
I want to thank all of my workers both past and especially present for allowing me to boast the "best practice in the area" and the fact that so many of you wonderful people still come to us despite the insurance issue tells me that that staff and I are doing a pretty good job.
For those of you expecting this retrospective nostalgic note to end with "I am announcing my retirement".....SORRY!!!!! I am more energized than ever!!! We have so many ideas as to how to help your medical and weight loss needs better and better. Our staff is young and full of enthusiasm and committed to bringing us to higher and higher levels of patient satisfaction.
I will end this with one more "thank you" for being our patient. Please join us tonight , 5-7 pm for our event. If you cannot make it, please know that your presence is missed and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you calling me "your doctor".
Onto the next 21 years!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
weight loss and scam supplements
Good Thursday Morning...REMINDER!!!!!!! PATIENT APPRECIATION NITE TOMORROW, FRIDAY 5-7 WE WANT TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH WE APPRCIATE YOUR CHOOSING OUR PRACTICE TO PROVIDE YOUR MEDICAL AND WEIGHT LOSS NEEDS
Yes, it is that time of year when the scam Direct Response industry (you know, the infomerical folks) start coming out with their miracle weight loss pills. You have seen the commericals...the people holding their pants that are 10 sizes too large now and cry into the camera telling everyone how this miracle pill changed their lives. The DR industry knows too well that as we head towards January, many people have their New Year's Resolution to lose weight. People are susceptible to the message that there exists some easy, "short-cut" to lose weight.
I have mentioned this before and will emphatically state this again: There is no such thing as a pill that allows you to lose weight and jkeep it off without the aggressive caloric restriction and exercise necessary. The commercials make it seem that taking the pill makes it easy.
You will never hear your good Doctor tell you that the Serotonin pill is a "miracle" tablet for weight loss. It is not. We use it as part of an overall program that includes a high protein dietary planm, exercise and also a prescription medication.
Buyer beware....as it relates to weight loss, anything that sounds too good to be true, i.e. making weight loss sound easy, must be scrutinized very carefully. Weight loss long term requires behavior modification.
Yes, it is that time of year when the scam Direct Response industry (you know, the infomerical folks) start coming out with their miracle weight loss pills. You have seen the commericals...the people holding their pants that are 10 sizes too large now and cry into the camera telling everyone how this miracle pill changed their lives. The DR industry knows too well that as we head towards January, many people have their New Year's Resolution to lose weight. People are susceptible to the message that there exists some easy, "short-cut" to lose weight.
I have mentioned this before and will emphatically state this again: There is no such thing as a pill that allows you to lose weight and jkeep it off without the aggressive caloric restriction and exercise necessary. The commercials make it seem that taking the pill makes it easy.
You will never hear your good Doctor tell you that the Serotonin pill is a "miracle" tablet for weight loss. It is not. We use it as part of an overall program that includes a high protein dietary planm, exercise and also a prescription medication.
Buyer beware....as it relates to weight loss, anything that sounds too good to be true, i.e. making weight loss sound easy, must be scrutinized very carefully. Weight loss long term requires behavior modification.
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