Webinar Replay 11/16/10

Food Everywhere

Hate to admit it, but I recently dined at an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) buffet. While at one time I’d go to such establishments so that I could stuff myself, I now go because of the variety. However, I still end up eating more than usual. It reminded me that the holidays are quickly approaching and the eating frenzy that’s about to start on Thanksgiving and continue about six weeks until New Years. This is the time when foodies like me have to really be careful. All of the temptations to eat are everywhere and managing what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat is the biggest challenge. Someone is always bringing something into the office and every store that I enter has samples of some sort. One way I’ve learned to manage my eating is to eat only when hungry and not eat just because it’s there. If I come across something that I really want, I’ll wrap a piece and take it home to eat at a more appropriate time (whenever that might be). Oh, for the love of food!

Winter Weight Gain

Well, I opened the door the other morning and almost cried because it was so cold. In an effort to make myself feel better, I thought, “This is nothing, winter is coming,” then I really felt like crying. Every year I wonder why do I live here. People say, “Oh, you’d miss the changing of the seasons.” Well, I’d like the opportunity to see whether I’d miss it or not. Somehow, I don’t think I so. Cold weather makes me want to stay inside, so I have to be extra careful with my eating and ensure I workout, since I’m not as active as in warmer weather. That’s why most people gain weight during the winter. Not only are we more sedentary, but we also tend to eat more. We need to have a system in place so that we remain active and watch the calories. When it’s too cold to walk outside on a cardio day, I’ll hit the treadmill at home or pop-in an aerobics video. For recreational walking, I hit the mall. I just have to leave all money and charge cards at home and remember that I’m there to walk. Then I’d have another issue   How do combat winter weight gain?

Weight Loss Drugs

Well, another diet pill was added to the list of can-kill-you drugs. Meridia was pulled from the market last week because it caused an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. What is it about losing weight that is sooooooooooooo hard? We didn’t gain it overnight, but yet we expect an overnight miracle. I know all too well that it is not easy, but I also know that a quick fix isn’t the answer either. There isn’t a pill that you can take for life. Only a lifestyle change that includes a proper diet and consistent exercise results in not only sustainable, but most importantly, safe weight loss. I didn’t and still don’t always feel like eating healthy and working out, but if I did what I felt like all the time, things wouldn’t turn out right most of the time. So, I do what I know is best for me. You may say that it takes lots of will power. Perhaps. But, I believe it’s a matter of choice and we all have a choice.

Overeating

For someone who loves food, overeating is always a challenge. The missing satiety gene is certainly not an excuse to stuff ourselves silly. We have to modify our behavior and learn how to stop eating before the point of no return. I remember eating so much and feeling so disgusted with myself one time that I actually thought about the unthinkable just to feel better – purging! Until then I could never understand people doing something like that to themselves on purpose. If I’m sick, that’s one thing, but to actually make it happen – no way! Well, I didn’t do it, but that moment helped me to better understand those who do. I have since learned to put only a reasonable portion on my plate, eat mindfully, and stop before I’m full, knowing that it takes 20 minutes for it to kick-in. What trick have you learned to manage overeating?

Gastric Bypass Surgery

When people hear that I lost 170lbs.they wonder if I had surgery, insomuch that I started immediately telling them my spiel all in one breath, “…no surgeries, shakes, pills or diets…”. While gastric bypass surgery has come a long way and now there’s the band, I still don’t believe surgery is the way to go. Mainly because you are still left with the emotions that caused you to overeat in the first place. Plus, many are turning to other vices since they can’t eat anymore and now have new issues to deal with. Somehow, others end up right back where they started before surgery, claiming that it didn’t work, which goes to show the severity of overeating. What causes people to eat so much? Some say it’s the satiety gene that’s missing, which is the brain’s signal that you’re full, stop eating. I can vouch for that one, because I never learned to stop eating based on feeling full. I stopped eating when there wasn’t any more food on my plate and when that was the case, most of the time would return for second helpings. Of course, I stopped eating at some point, but it was always beyond the point of where I should have. I just loved to eat. But, is the missing satiety gene an excuse?

Weight Loss Reality

One of only three TV shows that I watch started another season – The Biggest Loser. I enjoy the show for obvious reasons, but I also have issues because it’s not quite reality for the average person. If you remove someone completely from the environment that contributed to the problem and totally immerse them in a weight loss boot camp, then of course they are going to shed pounds and quickly. When I weighed 300lbs. and radically changed my diet and exercise habits, I lost an average of 4-5 pounds a week for the first month (the first week is mostly water), then 2-3 a week the next month, then 1-2 thereafter. The experts agree that sustainable weight loss is about 1-2lbs. per week until you reach your goal. The only thing that bothers me about the show is when folks get upset because they didn’t have a double-digit loss for the week, and only lost 5lbs! Hey, 5lbs. is 5lbs! And, that’s a lot in a week for the average person. My greatest concern is viewers comparing themselves to the contestants and becoming discouraged versus encouraged, which is what it’s designed to do when taken in perspective. It’s great to see people, especially the morbidly obese, make lifestyle changes and succeed, big time! It reminds me of where I came from. Despite its “reality,” I still love the show.

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