“You want to eat right, but when you try, you feel like you're starving. Here's how to never say diet.”

If you are dieting and often feel hungry, you may not be on the right program. Dieting doesn't mean starving yourself. It means feeding your body what it needs, when it needs it. Every time you eat, your body goes to work processing that food. If it knows you are going to feed it again regularly, it doesn't hang onto it as hard. It keeps your metabolism burning off excess. Feeling "starved" triggers your body to hang onto excess. Knowing when you are TRULY hungry is the first step. Feeding your body properly with fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts (and in calorie friendly portions) is the second. Even if you are eating 5 to 6 meal/snacks per day is okay when done the right way. If you've just embarked on a new program, you may need to give it a couple of weeks to let your body adjust to the new plan, so if you feel the need to eat too often, assess if you are really hungry or just wanting to grab something out of habit. In a short while, you and your body will adjust.

Hi Julie,

That's exactly what I meant.  The MGB surgeon should be in the spot light as not being qualified to do it.

“You want to do more, be more, but you are waiting until you feel more prepared. Here's how to gear up.”

Okay, sorry but sitting out in life isn't going to cut it. Sure, you could wait until you are completely on top of your game in life (whatever that means to you). Or, you could start living it now. What do you want to do? If you feel your weight, or your age, or your personality is holding you back, it is. If you feel nothing can hold you back from your dreams, then they won't. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing." If you decide to succeed, and actually move toward that success, you will either succeed or be able to know why you didn't, instead of wondering if you could've or just writing off that you can't.

“You want to feel inspired, but there's de-motivation at every turn. Here's how to run it off the road.”

Television, family members, so-called friends, magazine ads, a look in the mirror. There are plenty of things that make us feel bad about ourselves. Things that make us doubt that we'll ever succeed at our goals. So, what are we going to do about them? Eleanor Roosevelt had a great quote, "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." We know outside influences will occasionally bring us down, so how do we spring back up? What motivates you? Music? A particular movie? Thinking about God? Standing in the sunshine? Reading uplifting quotes? Exercising? Find what motivates you and keep your goals on the road to success.

Hi there,

The best place to start is here: http://clos.net

All the staff is very knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have.  Good luck!!

“You know you have to find time to exercise, but it's just so elusive. Here's how to find it's lair.”

You wonder how some people do it. They seem to be able to get everything done. They must be multi-tasking wizards. Here's the truth. There is no such thing. If you are doing more than one thing at a time, you aren't doing at least one of them well. Think texting and driving. Feeding the baby and doing homework. Cooking and learning calculus. Sometimes folding laundry and watching TV will leave you with towels in your underwear drawer and your house guests perplexed when they need to dry their hands. Studies have shown that when you multi-task, not only does your skill level go down for each project, but you also raise your stress level. It's a lose-lose situation. You simply have to eliminate things from your to-do list. If you want to exercise everyday, you'll have to give something up, or at least rearrange other things to save time. All the time you need is right in front of you. It's up to you how you'll use it.

“You make plans but just don't follow through. Here's how to execute the blueprints.”

No matter what goals you have in life: losing weight, starting your own business, writing a book, scrapbooking, or starting an ant farm all take action to achieve. You may think that you've just been lazy, or that it must not REALLY matter to you based on the amount of time and effort you have put in in the past. Maybe all you need is a "detailed" plan. So, instead of your goal being, "I'm going to lose weight by exercising at the gym and eating right," it needs to chunk out very specific actions. Map out a week: "On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I am going to go to the gym at 1:00." Write it on your calendar. Next, tackle eating. What recipes will you make, what do you need to buy, how will you handle eating out, what will you have for snacks at work? By scheduling very detailed steps with dates and action items, you will be more likely to see your plan become a reality.

“You start out strong but then lose your edge. Here's how to stay razor sharp.”

Each day you find that a certain time hits and all the good choices you've made all day are flushed. Suddenly you're grabbing anything in sight, nibbling this, licking that. Why can't you stop yourself? Okay, look at it like a video game. If you are engaged in a battle where the monster will only be vanquished with silver bullets do you think showing up to pelt the beast with marshmallows will work? Doubtful, unless he eats all of the mini morsels, gets sick to his stomach and can't continue his ferocious rampage because of gas pains. Stop going into battle unprepared. Unlike the monster, you can make a plan and be ready. Knowing where your shortfalls occur is the hardest part. Now, just figure out what you're going to do different to make sure you are the victor.

“You portion your food, eat well, and then cave during kitchen cleanup. Here's why your kid's half eaten Oreo will not find it's way into your face.”

Do you have trouble not "cleaning up" with your mouth after meals: leftovers that detour from the pan to your pie hole, half eaten kiddie plates that get scraped into your kisser instead of the trash? If the possibility of having someone else do that chore is not happening, try this: make it part of your workout. If you need to, go slip into your workout wear and tennis shoes. Now, focus on speed, agility, muscle flexing, and fat burning. There is no eating when you are working out. Set the stage for what will happen during this time - make it an event, a very fast event. Quickly scrape, rinse, pack up, and wipe down. Now, since you have your shoes on, jog around the block with your hand in the air in victory. You rock!

“You have an event coming up and you don't know if you'll make good choices. Here's how to see the future.”

That wedding, office get-together, family reunion or birthday barbeque sounds like fun, but the food choices will likely be things you shouldn't eat...and there'll be way too much of it. What to do? Look into the future. Really. Actually think about what will happen: how will the food be presented (buffet style, served at the table, a waiter walking around with hors d'oeuvres), what will they serve, what will they serve that you can eat, what should you absolutely avoid? The more insight you have the better. Now imagine how you will react. Envision yourself only taking what you've pre-determined is okay. "See" yourself walking past the no-no items, saying "No thanks" to seconds being offered, and leaving bowls of food untouched. Make sure to see your expression - you, smiling, happy. How do you feel? Empowered, in control, confident...with no regrets. By visualizing the outcome you want, you will be far more likely to have a reality to match.

Hi,

Sometimes we need more support than a support group.  You may want to consider finding a Life Coach. They are really good at helping by providing tools to use when things get rough.  Also maybe getting into something like Yoga or some kind of meditation group that will help you center and acknowledge yourself for who you are and be happy with who you are.  If you could find a Mindfulness group, that would be good. It is not religions based by any means but it helps you know yourself in a more positive way.  Think about it, ok?

  Huugzzzz  

Hi,

You just had surgery and you worry about not enough weight loss? Give your body time to heal and adjust.  Relax and work on following your food program and stay off that scale if you can.  Find some wonderful things to do, hobby or activity that will keep you focused on other things.  Before you know it, your clothes will feel roomier and THAT is a great indication of weight loss.  Can you do that?

Also, it would be nice if surgery healed the brain as well.  It is important that all of you learn to develop a healthy relationship with food and make some permanent life style changes.  If possible, find a support group, nutritionist, and/or counselor who specializes in food issues.  This is a whole body journey and your success will be greater if you can get all the support possible.

The full sensation is something that I can't help you with.  One thing I do is use smaller plates, bowls and focus on portion control.  As I said, it is important to develop healthy habits and help your body get the results you want. 

I hope this helps.  Yea I don't mince words. I say what is realistic and it is a journey that can be positive if we take the right steps to help ourselves by getting the support we need.

I am so happy for you and your family.  You are on the road to a healthier you!