With massive weight loss, in a short period of time, patients are often left with a significant amount of excess skin. Because of the rapid weight loss, the patient's skin doesn't "bounce back" adequately, resulting in a multitude of problems including problems with moisture, skin break down, hygiene and body image problems (aesthetic concerns). This excess skin remains a reminder of the person's past problem with obesity and limits the patient's...more
Is Your Mind Actually Keeping You From Losing Weight?Ask Dr. Steve-Dr. Steve, What does mental attitude have to do with weight loss? I mean, it's a physical thing right? Michele B. Calgary, BCMichele, If you think you can, you are rightÂ…If you think you can't, you are right". How you view yourself and your ability to succeed in the weight loss process is critical to your success. In fact, it is absolutely the "most" important part of any weight...more
Do You Know How Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Controls Weight Loss?Ask Dr. Steve-Dr. Steve, A friend of mine told me that they had their BMI measured by their doctor to see how much body fat they had. What is BMI?Robert S. Bakersfield, CARobert, Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such a underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorpitiometry (DXA). BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.How is BMI used in Weight Loss? BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family...more
How To Start A Good Weight Loss ProgramAsk Dr. Steve -Dr. Steve,There are so many diets out there. How can I know which ones work?Tamika R.Chicago, ILTamika,Start your diet by taking notes of everything you eat or drink all day. Include the size of the portions in weight or volume (typically ounces). Also write down what your emotions were at the...more
Does Green Tea Help in Weight Loss?Dr. Steve,I saw a commercial for a green tea diet. Is this real or a waste of money?Jeannie R.San Mateo, CAJeannie,Green tea is made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, a perennial evergreen shrub. Green tea has a long history of use dating back approximately 5,000 years to China. Green tea, black tea, and...more
How Does Menopause Effect Weight Gain? Ask Dr. Steve -Dr. Steve,I just turned 49 and am starting menopause. I also noticed that I'm gaining weight for no reason. I haven't changed anything in my lifestyle. What should I do?Shelly H.Baltimore, MDShelly,This is a great question with so many people hitting our age. Weight gained after menopause seems to be harder to lose. It is very common to put on weight at this time and while some of this may be due to lifestyle changes, that does not explain why suddenly women develop a tendency to put on weight at different parts of the body, especially the abdomen, while any weight gained when younger tended to be centered on the hips and thighs.Hormonal changes do have a part to play in this, although the process is not completely understood. At menopause a woman stops ovulating, her monthly menstruation periods end, and her body produces much lower levels of the female hormone estrogen which is responsible for the ovulation process. Low estrogen has been shown to cause weight gain in animals and it almost certainly is the reason why female bodies change shape. Reversing course to lose unwanted pounds requires strict attention to healthy eating...more
The ailment known as hypothyroidism is something that more women than men experience and this is due to a hyper active thyroid gland. The reasons why a woman may suffer from hyperthyroidism may vary and some of these reasons often have certain...more
Let's just get down to the nuts and bolts of how to rid yourself of unwanted weight, which for many of you is quite easy. The phantom puzzle piece that keeps eluding you is the piece on maintaining the results.Maintaining the results is not so easy...more
Everyone is seeking methods of easy weight loss. Some people would say claim that there's no such thing. Others will say that it's really not that hard, if you know what you are doing. To me the the hardest part might be change. Time is the biggest...more
Two Basic ApproachesTraditionally a fast weight loss diet strategy would be to reduce the amount of calories consumed in a day and this is an effective approach for many. A second strategy is to consume the same amount of calories but increase...more
Since recent studies reveal obesity has now reached epidemic proportions, now more than 40% of Americans alone who are labeled "obese!" Children are now considered "fatter than ever" by most experts, developed diabetes when these same children grow...more
It happened so fast; I gained 15 pounds in my first four months of working from home! No one warned me that there was this unwanted side effect of having a dream job working from home. That's understandable though because I was working in a male...more