What Should I Eat?
There is only one way to lose weight. Your body must utilize or burn more calories than it takes in from the food you eat. With respect to a successful and healthy diet, it is important to develop habits you can live with for the rest of your life. We recommend a balanced diet using guidelines similar to those established by the US Department of Agriculture. More recently, these guidelines have been modified to allow “moderate fat” (previously “low” fat) with an emphasis on heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. We recommend a high fiber and moderate fat diet with low sugar, starch, and white flour products. Our patients taking prescription appetite suppressant medications are put on a 1200-calorie weight loss diet for women, and an 1800-calorie diet for men. The medications make it easy to follow these diets. You won't have to fight hunger while incorporating healthy eating habits into your lifestyle. The prescription medications are Ephedra-free.
How Much Can I Lose and how do Medications Help?
Over 90 percent of the patients on our programs lose weight; however, weight loss depends on several factors including genetics, gender—men lose weight faster than women because they have more metabolically active tissue, the number of calories consumed each day, and how much a patient exercises. Weight loss of two to five pounds a week is not unusual. More dramatic weight loss often leads to long-term failure in keeping weight off and modifying lifestyle and behavior. The prescription medications we dispense – phentermine and phendimetrazine – make it much easier to follow healthy diet and exercise recommendations. These medications have been used for more than 30 years for safe, effective weight loss. They are Ephedra-free and FDA approved. We also have Meridia, Topamax and Xenical programs. We are also developing programs for newer medications such as Accomplia or Rimonabant.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The BMI is one of the most accurate ways to determine whether or not an adult is overweight. BMI uses a person's weight and height to gauge total body fat. BMI can be calculated by multiplying weight in pounds by 705, then dividing by height in inches twice. You can find charts on the Internet and at our office that can help you determine your BMI without doing any calculations. A person with a BMI of 24 or less is considered to be at an ideal weight. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered to be overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9 and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A BMI over 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese. This can increase a person's risk of death from any cause by 50 to 150 percent. Some people believe a BMI of 22 is ideal for health and appearance.
Is the Atkins Diet Safe?
The Atkins Diet, or in simplified terms—a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet—is currently the craze and Dr. Atkins' book is an all-time bestseller. However, all the facts are not in yet on this revolutionary diet which is almost diametrically opposed to the USDA food pyramid with grains and vegetables at the bottom and meats at the top. There is also controversy over how the Atkins Diet works. Dr. Atkins claimed it reduced insulin secretion and converted fat to a primary rather than secondary form of energy production. Others claim it works simply by reducing calories since carbohydrates make up a large part of most of our diets. In the short term, it seems clear that the Atkins Diet can expedite weight loss. But little is known about the long-term effects and there is concern that it may promote heart and kidney disease and accelerate osteoporosis. In addition, over time a diet high in animal protein and fat may cause an increase in cancer and other diseases as a result of the hormones, preservatives, and antibiotics that end up in some meats. There is also a concern regarding pesticides and other biological agents that get concentrated at the top of the food chain. While it is true that carbohydrates, especially sugars, starch, and white flour products are a major factor in obesity and related illnesses, it would seem that a diet high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and moderate unsaturated fats might be healthier in the long run. In any case, our prescription appetite suppressant program will significantly expedite weight loss, even on Dr. Atkins' Diet.
Exercise: How Much is Enough?
The simplest way to get your body to utilize more calories is to exercise. Patients who go into a weight loss program without a commitment to a programmed course of exercise generally gain back any weight they lost once they get to the maintenance part of the diet. If you really want to lose weight, 30 minutes of exercise a day, or a minimum of 45 minutes, 5 days a week, of aerobic exercise is a must. You will also benefit from the improved cardiovascular health and a general sense of well being and self-esteem. Aerobic exercise is a sustained activity that you do long enough and hard enough to challenge your heart and lungs. Brisk walks, stationary cycling, swimming, jogging, rowing, and step aerobics are good examples. Pick one or two activities you really enjoy and exercise with a friend. Anaerobic exercise, or strength training including isometric exercises and free weights, is also beneficial in healthful weight loss. Many people who are sedentary and begin to exercise make the mistake of trying to do too much right away. Always consult your physician before starting any exercise program. You don't need to join a gym or an expensive health club, you just need to commit to an exercise program and then do it!
*Note: This information does not address all medical situations, nor is it intended to replace a medical consultation.
