Medical Weight Loss

You heard it here; DIETS DO NOT WORK.  There we said it. Now, let's talk about that, tell some stories, and offer some solutions, shall we?

First, CNBC says that 45 million people in the US every year go on weight loss programs. It's important to understand that the US only has around 328 million people in it so 45 million is a pretty big number considering. As a result, the weight loss industry is now a $71 billion industry. Here's the kicker though, 95% of fad diets don't typically work out. Again, according to CNBC.

I'll share a few more shocking stats with you here. The latest numbers put the percentage of Americans that are obese at 42.4%. Almost half of Americans are obese. Let that one sink in just a bit. Ouch. Not only that but obesity went up by 30% from the year 2000 to 2018. It went up in 18 years by 30%! Obesity directly causes the leading reasons for preventable and premature death though. Which is great news! These are conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. 

So, if obesity causes these conditions, then it stands to reason that losing weight can help avoid these kinds of conditions. That's encouraging. 

Let's talk about the bones and joints. Did you know that according to Harvard Health, there are two ways being overweight raises your risk for developing osteoarthritis? The first thing is that the excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints. Think about how your hips, knees, ankles, and feet have to carry around more weight day in and day out, for example. We call it arthritis but it is really your bone's response to extra stress and pressure. When our bones experience extra activity, stress, friction, or pressure, it naturally responds by building more bone to address the new situation. 

This does NOT just pertain to older overweight people. Harvard continued by saying, "Losing a few pounds can go a long way toward reducing the pressure on your knees — and protecting them. For example, research has proven that a sustained 10- to 15-pound weight loss in obese young people can translate to a much lower risk of osteoarthritis later in life."

Secondly, there is the inflammatory part of it all. Inflammatory factors associated with a poor diet and with weight gain likely contribute to trouble in the joints including hands, elbows, and more. 

Now, back to diets; I say that diets don't work but I should be adding to that. What I mean is that diets most certainly do work in the short term. In the long term, however, they just do not typically work.

The first reason for this is that there is no 'one size fits all' solution to weight loss. People are very different. Their needs are different. Some need more medical help to get their system kicked into gear. Some just need a little accountability. Some patients need a little help on the brain space part of it because their relationship with food has to be addressed before being able to understand how to best limit food. Some patients need all of the above. 

That's why I say diets do not work. They are not typically very sustainable. Let's take Nutrisystem for example. According to VeryWellFit.com, "The Nutrisystem diet is a portion-controlled eating plan centered on prepackaged foods delivered to your home.....The diet is based on the idea that it can be easier to lose weight if you don't have to plan and prepare meals."

The meals are pre-planned and delivered but they are also highly processed meals. That is certainly not 'fine dining in my book. No long-term weight control strategies are taught or discussed. On top of it all, it can cost up to $420 per month!

Just going through this, you should be able to see why I say that diets can work for the short term but this type of setup is not sustainable for the long haul. That means some weight comes off in the beginning. Then it gets old and tired. Your motivation begins to wane and, before you know it, you gained it all back and, in some cases, added more weight than you started with. 

Another popular fad over the past 20 years or so is the Keto Diet. Re-visiting Harvard Health, they say, "Unlike other low-carb diets, which focus on protein, a keto plan centers on fat, which supplies as much as 90% of daily calories. And it's not the type of diet to try as an experiment." In the article, registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital says, "The keto diet is primarily used to help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in children. While it also has been tried for weight loss, only short-term results have been studied, and the results have been mixed. We don't know if it works in the long term, nor whether it's safe."

Keto Diet Risks are:

• It's high in saturated fat which should be no more than 7% of your daily calories due to saturated fat's link with heart disease
• It's known to cause an increase in LDL cholesterol, also known as the BAD cholesterol
• Low vegetable intake can lead to nutrient deficiency
• Metabolizing so much fat can lead to liver issues
• Since the kidneys help metabolize protein, keto diets may overload them leading to kidney problems
• Constipation since the keto diet is low in fiber
• Fuzzy thinking and mood swings can result from the lack of sugar we get from healthy carbs. 

In addition, while some of us may be perfectly happy eating steak and bacon while avoiding any fruits or veggies for a lifetime, for the majority of us, once again, this is not usually sustainable. 

So, what's the answer then?

I would start this part of the discussion by saying that anyone claiming to have the single answer to weight loss is 100% dishonest. Turn and run! However, it really can be boiled down to some simple ideas that can give people the best chance at really doing something about it if they're determined.

1. Eat fewer calories than you burn - this is fundamental
2. Pay attention WHAT TYPE of food you ingest - recent research suggests foods with low-glycemic count are most beneficial
3. Burn more calories by being active and engaging in exercise so that you can reasonably eat more calories and have more energy and a better overall quality of life. 

The benefits are countless. Less chronic pain, fewer painful joints, decrease risks of serious, life-threatening illnesses, more quality time with loved ones doing fun stuff, and most important of all; a healthy self-image and self-confidence you will realize. Pride in a job well done after reaching a goal you've set is priceless. 

With that said, sometimes, some folks need a little extra help and that's where Creek Stone Integrated Medical can come into the picture and help you get across the finish line. We have a professionally formulated, medically assisted weight loss program prepared and available to the people of Amarillo, TX, and the Texas Panhandle that can give you an excellent opportunity to break through the barriers that have prevented you from reaching that end goal in the past. 

Our program has three levels offering options from minimal assistance to being very involved. 

1. Skinny Shots - this option is a very minimal level. Skinny shots are a combination of B vitamins, amino acids, and lipotropic agents. These are used by improving energy and metabolism and increasing the removal of fat from the body to help patients with generalized weight loss. 

2. Medically Assisted Weight Loss - This medical weight management option will go A LONG WAY toward helping you reach your goals. We have combined knowledge and experience from several different weight loss plans with new and innovative medical strategies. Through our weight loss program, you can expect to:

• Drop the weight while experiencing more energy and vitality
• Through medical assistance, control your appetite and cravings
• Learn more about food, exercise, and weight loss in general
• Experience rapid weight loss safely and effectively
• Break down the barriers and reach your ideal weight goal 
• Avoid fad diets that don't work and enjoy long-term weight loss

3. Medically Assisted Weight Loss AND Brain Space Coaching - This is our top-tier option and gives many patients the very best option available to get where they want to be and stay there for the long term. This option includes everything from our Medically Assisted Weight Loss program but combines it with a certified coach. A coach that can help you understand the reasons your relationship with dieting and food has been what it has been. A coach that can help you work through the issues and allow you to have the best opportunity to come out the other side powerful and healthy in the knowledge that, not only are you losing weight but going forward, YOU GOT THIS!

We all know that weight loss is frustrating. It is frustrating for the patient, of course. But it is also frustrating for the healthcare provider as well. Certainly when the patient is complaining about not losing weight yet has not done the things on their part at home to actually lose the weight.

But, when providers have a good teammate in the patient, and the patient is 'bought in' with their hearts and not just their wallets, real results and change usually happen. And they usually happen quickly. We can give you a chance to make it happen for yourself and your family. 

If you're interested in finding out more about the difference we can help you make in your life, call 806-355-3000 and set up a free consultation. We're happy to help you get started and help you be successful. 

Disclaimer:

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