I overheard a revealing father to son comment while eating breakfast out recently. I couldn’t help but hear the family of 3 at the table next to me. Both parents were overweight by 40+ pounds, as was the 20 year old son. The mother was discussing that she was only on one medication. “I am so thankful” she said. The son replied, “Yes, but I don’t take any medicine.”
The father, speaking wisdom, commented, “Son, be very careful to protect your health, or you will end up with problems. Look at me, ‘I’VE JUST GOT TO LOSE 40 POUNDS!’” The overweight problem (that they all shared) was apparent, as was the complete absence of having an effective plan.
We all know that losing weight and keeping it off long term is difficult. However, gaining weight is easy! Consider these 3 weight gain facts in America:
Fact #1) No one wants to be overweight, yet it is epidemic. That’s right. There are 226,000,000 adults in America who do not want to be overweight, and yet it is their reality! Why so? Aren’t Americans among the most clever and knowledgeable people who have ever lived on planet Earth? Yes, weight gain is common, the “norm” and easy!
Fact #2) Self-dieters find little success. Chronic overweight affects 2 out of 3 adults in America. Millions are trying to lose weight at any given time. However, few are successful. The International Journal of Obesity (Sept, 2000) reported that after 1 year of self-dieting, those trying to lose weight actually gained 1-½ lbs! Another conclusion, “dieting to lose weight predicts weight GAIN, not weight loss…!” Yep, weight gain is easy, just try to lose weight and you gain it!
Fact #3) More evidence Americans are gaining weight against their wishes! Excess weight is uncomfortable and unwanted. Yet average weight in America is increasing from 157 lbs at age 25 to 177 lbs by age 35 (CARDIA study). We are adding 20 lbs of unwanted weight during what should be our “healthiest” and most active 10 years of adulthood!
So, if weight loss is so hard, and weight gain is the “norm” what should I do? Especially, if like the father above…
“I’ve just got to lose 40 pounds!”
Here is my advice:
1. Don’t delay success by pursuing strategies that are not “40 pound strategies”:
- Example #1: Self-diets (trying to eat less and exercise more) results in 1-½ lbs of weight gain after 1 year. Eating less and exercising more are admirable goals, but not typically effective for losing 40 lbs.
- Example #2: Franchise diet chains. The journal JAMA (Jan 2005), reported a Tufts University study indicating that average weight loss at Weight Watchers in 1 year was 6.6 lbs (again, not 40 lbs, even though participants started around 220 lbs). Note: Most diet franchises refuse to reveal weight loss averages!
- Example #3: Fad diet books. Whether Atkins (4.6 lbs), Zone Diet (7.0 lbs), or Ornish Diet (7.3 lbs), average weight loss after 1 year was closer to 4 lbs than 40 lbs, even though starting weight was around 220 lbs (JAMA, 2005).
(Note: More structure, like a book, and more accountability, like franchise employees, clearly give benefit compared to self-dieting! So more of any approach is better than doing nothing! But if you HAVE to lose 40 lbs, choose your approach thoughtfully! Read on…)
2. If you really “need to lose 40 lbs”, consider medical weight loss with a physician and professional team. Here’s why:
- Weight gain causes can be determined. Each week I have overweight patients enter my office on medications that cause weight gain! Thyroid disorders, nutrient deficiencies, stress and mood disorders, sleep impairment, and self-esteem issues can be driving forces for weight gain. If weight gain causes are left unmanaged, weight is impossible to manage long term. A thorough medical evaluation, including proper lab tests and body composition studies, PRIOR to beginning weight loss assures that unnecessary causes of weight gain have been revealed and addressed.
- A personal medical weight management plan can be developed. Without insights into your appetite tendencies, metabolism issues, and body composition realities, it is impossible to know what your nutritional and treatment needs are. Someone needs to assess your current realities before appropriate personal goals can be clarified. Without clear goals and strategies, a personal treatment plan will never be developed for a “40 lb” success.
- A weight maintenance plan can be managed over time. After significant weight loss, weight maintenance requires excellent nutrition, as well as control of cravings, hunger, and a sluggish metabolism. The plan needs modified as things like stress level, age and life circumstances change. A knowledgeable physician, as part of a professional team, is best suited to manage these challenges.
- A team of professionals provides for multiple sources of support and wisdom. Having dietitians, nutritionists, fitness counselors, supportive “coaches”, as well as physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners, allows for ongoing problem solvers who can address challenges from a variety of perspectives. Weight loss is difficult, so require excellence among your support team!
- Unlike in years past, insurance is now covering or reimbursing many patients for medical weight loss treatment. The Affordable Care Act, medical savings accounts, and other insurance industry trends make medical weight loss more affordable and accessible than ever! Now that “obesity” has been declared a true disease by those in power, people affected by this chronic, progressive condition can finally receive the medical care and support they need! (See blog Obesity is a Disease. Call or come in to our office for more information.)
Significant weight loss is difficult, but VERY achievable. Remember, people accomplish difficult undertakings all the time. Learning to drive properly is difficult, but achievable. But people learn to drive, right? It requires knowledge, like how a car operates, how to steer, how to brake, how to follow the driving laws, etc. And, it requires practice, learning the operational side of driving. Finally, real life driving experiences turn a knowledgeable, informed individual into a capable and successful driver. It can be called both difficult and achievable.
Weight loss is similar. Like driving, you must navigate according to the car you are driving and the road you are on! What car (body) you are driving and what road (circumstances) you are navigating make all the difference in proper decisions to make! Don’t behave as if you live in someone else’s body!
Consider the contrast of our Center for Nutrition “Topeka Study” of 20 consecutive men and women coming to us for weight loss compared to typical diet studies outlined above. Our study resulted in the following among these obese dieters following their recommended personal, individualized treatment plans:
CFN Topeka Study: Average weight loss of 41 lbs in 12 weeks!
Indeed, medical weight loss, when individualized, can be highly successful. Obviously, these individuals were motivated to lose weight and were on a mission! They were also thoughtfully evaluated and treated.
Like losing weight, maintaining weight loss requires the same “on a mission” mentality, or weight can always return. A long-term approach, in motivated individuals, is the only strategy I recommend.
As you pursue Optimum Health, remember that successful weight control and excellent nutrition are key factors for health. The unwanted weight gain trends in America are clear and alarming. Unwanted weight gain is literally destroying the health of America! Let’s choose not to participate in these common trends. Instead, let’s:
- Identify our weight and health goals.
- Identify successful strategies to achieve those goals.
- Embrace those strategies diligently, daily, and long term!
If you are struggling with unwanted weight gain, whether it is 20, 40, 60, or 100+ pounds, take charge now! Get the medical professional support you need for weight control! Time is ticking! Let this be your year for success!
For Optimum Health,
Rick R. Tague, M.D., M.P.H. & T.M.
P.S. If you need a personal treatment plan for chronic overweight, learn more at taguenutrition.com.
