Quick Weight Loss: Fact or Fiction?

QUICK WEIGHT LOSS:  FACT OR FICTION?

 Everyone, including me, is interested in a quick weight loss fix.  I can’t tell you the number of diets, exercise plans and herbs that I’ve tried over my lifetime to facilitate quick weight loss.  Those “quick fixes” always work for a while but then most of us gain the weight back.  So, in the end, is it really worth it?

At this practice last year, we actually tried a medical quick weight loss plan – The HCG Diet.  We had a whole plan that included medical office visits, group meetings, as well as prescription HCG.  We had about 30 people enroll and purchase the prescription.  Only about 20 of those people made it through the entire program.  All of those people lost 15-35 pounds in 40 days.  Of those 20 people, only 3 have maintained their weight loss.  Most gained their weight back plus more within 6 months.

So the HCG Diet was a success in that people definitely lost weight, but a dismal failure in that less than 15% of the participants kept their weight off.  That is an 85% failure rate!  I definitely don’t think that plan was really worth it!

I personally have struggled with weight my entire life.  I was a “pudgy” child who was picked on a lot for being “fat”.  Turns out, I had a particular familial body type that changed and thinned out as soon as I hit puberty.  By then, however, I had it fixed in my mind that I was “fat” and went through the next 20 years feeling that way. 

I look back now on pictures of myself in college when I thought I was fat and so much bigger than all my skinny friends.  I was actually the same size as my skinny friends!  It’s all about perception and self-esteem.  It is sad that I had this false perception of myself for so long.

I stayed thin until 2007 & 2008 when I gained about 45 pounds to my max of 182 pounds.  At that time I was around 40 years old.  I had managed to stay in my 130’s for most of my adult life until that point.  Then I actually became “fat” – officially obese for my height on the BMI chart!

I have lost 30 pounds of that weight gain since then – 20 pounds of it since January 2011 when I began a low glycemic diet and exercise plan.  No quick weight loss.  Just a steady decline that I have been able to keep off long term.  My goal changed from being skinny to being healthy so no real need for “quick weight loss”.  I did choose to use prescription metformin to lower my insulin level which helped me lose weight only when I followed the exercise/healthy diet regimen.  Metformin mostly helped me not gain weight back as easily if I did cheat!

I am now in my normal BMI weight range and probably will not try to lose back to my 130’s.  My metabolism has definitely changed in my 40’s and I would really have to suffer a lot to get back to the 130’s!  I’ve decided life is too short to constantly be struggling with my weight.  I can stay at my 25 BMI mark with consistent exercise and a low glycemic diet about 80% of the time.  I’ve decided I would rather be consistently healthy than fit some society idea of “normal” or “skinny”.

So, in view of the dismal failure of quick weight loss plans and the success of my slow steady persistent weight loss plan, we have decided to institute a new weight loss program at Restore Health & Wellness Center and Insight Family Health Center.  It will not be a “magic trick” or “quick weight loss” program.  The program will be about our staff helping you make permanent lifestyle choices that change your health for the better for a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Tabetha L. Smith, FNP-C

Fellow Participant in the Battle Against the Bulge

 

4 PILLARS PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS PLAN

When:  Begins Thursday, January 9, 2014 & Ends the week of March 24, 2014. 

              Group classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 PM – 8 PM on January

               9, 2014, January 30, 2014, February 20, 2014, & March 13, 2014.

Location:  Insight Family Health Center

Goal:  To educate and mentor patients in developing health strategies that address body, soul, and spirit resulting in permanent weight loss for the patient.

Theme:  Consistency is the KEY to victory – permanent weight loss.

4 Pillars of Permanent Weight Loss developed during the program:

1.      Self-Awareness

2.      Self-Control

3.      Self-Discipline

4.      Accountability

Program Includes:

1.      Weekly either group or individual session spread over a 12 week time period – 12 weeks of professional accountability and education!

2.      4 – 2 hour group education classes with a nurse practitioner

3.      4 – 1 hour individual sessions with a counselor

4.      4 – 1 hour individual sessions with a Registered Nurse Educator

Cost:  (Care Credit is available for payment)

·         Level 1:  4 Pillars Plan Only

1.      12 group or individual meetings

2.      Total Cost $426

Ø  3 Automatic Draft Payments of $142 each

Ø  Full Payment up front - $399 (save $27)

·         Level 2:  4 Pillars Plan + Energy Boost

1.      12 group or individual meetings + 12 weekly MethylB12 Injections

2.      Total Cost $510

Ø  3 Automatic Draft Payments of $170 each

Ø  Full Payment Up Front - $485 (save $25)

·         Level 3:  4 Pillars Plan + Energy Boost + Detox Boost

1.      12 group or individual meetings + 8 Myer’s MVI Intravenous Infusions with MethylB12 & Glutathione + 12 Far Infrared Sauna Sessions + 4 MethylB12 Injections

2.      Total Cost $1152

Ø  3 Automatic Draft Payments of $384

Ø  Full Payment Up Front - $1099 (save $53)   

Registration:

          Call (910)508-2802 to register.  Space is limited to 25 participants!

Gratitude In the Coming New Year

GRATITUDE IN THE COMING NEW YEAR

As we prepare for the coming New Year, I wanted to share some personal experiences at a New Year that radically altered the direction of my life.  Some of you have heard my story, but many of you have not.  I hope it impacts you and, if needed, helps you set a new course in your life.  My life has never been the same.

The year of 2010 was “the year from hell” (no other way to really put it!) in my professional and personal life.  By the end of that year, I was on the edge of a mental and emotional breakdown.  I was to find out later that those closest to me also thought I was about to break and end up in a psychiatric facility.

I had seen my mom, who struggled with manic-depression, go in and out of mental hospitals for breakdowns throughout my childhood and teen years.  I did not want to end up in that same pattern, and I knew I was at risk.

As I contemplated 2011, I came to the realization that I could not go through another year like 2010 and survive.  I realized that I HAD to do something different.  About that time, I heard someone (I don’t even remember who) talking about keeping a gratitude journal. 

A gratitude journal consists of writing down at least 1 thing you are grateful for every single day of your life.  I decided to begin 2011 with the commitment to write at least 1 thing down that I was grateful for before bed every night.  I have not stopped doing it ever since.

I have been on many mission trips to third world countries; and, compared to those people, even the homeless people in America are blessed.  Those of us who have access to a computer to read this blog are richly blessed.  Even when all hell is breaking loose around us, there are things to be grateful for – even if it’s just that we have our next breath of life.  And always remember, there is always someone around you going through worse than you are.

I also decided to begin the Peak Fitness exercise program found at this link:  http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/02/10/phil-campbell-interview.aspx.  I literally only exercised 3 times a week for the recommended 20 minute time period.  I actually got on and used the elliptical machine I had purchased for over a $1000 years before and never had used!  I have not stopped doing this program ever since and have added to it.

The change of daily focus to something I was grateful for and the endorphins released by that small quantity of exercise radically changed my emotional outlook and mood.  I’ve never been the same since.  Just enough light entered my world through those 2 activities to help me step forward and make the changes that I needed to make to get out of my “edge” experience.

Life is not perfect for me now.  I still struggle with major stress because I own a business.  However, my gratitude journal and exercise program help me keep a positive focus and attitude.  Throughout the day as I get distracted by the craziness of my world, I constantly try to bring my focus back to all the things for which I have to be grateful.

I encourage each of you to begin a gratitude journal (and exercise program too!) for the coming New Year.  Start even now if you can!  It may help you survive the Holiday Season!  Getting your eyes off of your problems and on to your blessings changes your focus in life.  Altering your focus to one that is positive, glass half full, opens up your mind, will, emotions, body, and spirit to positive change in your life. 

I hope you have a truly blessed New Year!

Sincerely,

Tabetha L. Smith, FNP-C

Cold & Flu Season

Cold & Flu season is upon us & I want to share with you how I prepare and prevent viruses.

I know that obtaining the flu vaccine is a VERY controversial subject.  I personally chose 2 years ago to stop receiving it even though it is highly recommended for health care professionals.  However, I encourage everyone to research the subject themselves and make an informed decision.  I think one of the best resources of information on the flu vaccine can be found at the following link:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/22/flu-vaccine-effectiveness.aspx.

When I chose not to receive the flu vaccine, I also chose to be very vigilant in taking the following nutraceutical regimen to hopefully prevent the flu as well as other viruses:

1.      Vitamin C 1000 mg daily

2.      Vitamin D3 5,000 IU (take enough to obtain a Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy blood level of 65-100)

3.      Vital Plan Cold & Flu Support 2 caps daily (and extra when I saw a sick patient!)

This regimen worked the first year.  But last year there was a particularly nasty virus going around that mimicked the flu.  Despite my vigilance, I did get this virus.  I followed all the recommendations that I give on our Cold & Flu Handout and it didn’t work.  I had the symptoms of this virus for around 21 days (I counted in my misery!).  I did not take any antibiotics even though it went past the 14 day mark because I knew it was a virus and my body would eventually win.

Since last year, I have learned about a product called Monolaurin.  I knew about it but just hadn’t understood it or utilized it!  This season, I added taking Monolaurin 600 mg 2 times a day to my prevention regimen.  My hope is that it will prevent me from getting ANY virus!  We will see!

I HAVE ATTACHED THE COLD & FLU HANDOUT AS WELL AS AN INFORMATION SHEET ON MONOLAURIN.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED THE FLU VACCINE.

All of the nutraceutical products mentioned on the handouts are available here at Insight Family Health Center/Restore Health & Wellness Center.  Our office hours are Monday-Thursday 7:45 AM-5:00 PM (closed 11:45 AM- 12:45 PM).  I’ve attached a discount coupon that you can print and use at Insight for your purchase.  You can also purchase them at www.vitalplan.com or at Medical Center Pharmacy.

I encourage you to be proactive in protecting your health this cold & flu season.  Don’t just depend on the flu vaccine.  Last year it was less than 60% effective!

Tabetha L. Smith, FNP-C