WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
Dr. Bonnie McLean D.O.M., A.P., M.A., R.N.
Contrary to our wishes and some claims in the news, weight loss and maintenance is not a quick fix. It is a very individual and intricate process. As much as the occasional magazine article or practitioner might encourage you to believe that something simple like one staple in the ear will do the trick, we know this is purely wishful thinking. Weight gain didn’t happen overnight and weight doesn’t disappear overnight. Weight loss and maintenance takes more than a diet, especially a crash diet. It takes more than something from the outside, such as pills alone. It takes more than a coach. It takes self-responsibility, honesty with oneself, and commitment to life-style change. And, just as it takes more than joining a gym and having one workout to tone your body, weight loss takes effort and time.
Having your own weight loss program is encouraged. There are a number of programs available through which many people have been successful in losing weight. Many people have been successful with such programs as Weight Watchers (low calorie), The Zone (low glycemic index), The Ornish Diet (low fat), and the Atkins Diet (low carb). If you don’t already have one that you are comfortable with, a sensible way of eating, such as the program described in Fit For Life by Harvey Diamond is suggested. If you are not diabetic, fasting 1-3 days may be suggested if you hit a plateau that won’t budge. If fasting feels too extreme for you, ask for information on the Basic Fat Burning Diet. You might implement this for 1-3 days a week. I also highly recommend a product called Bios Life. This is a fiber product that helps decrease appetite, helps balance blood sugar, and has been found to lower cholesterol. Regardless of the program of choice, success in losing weight and maintaining that weight loss, success depends on sticking with that program. A support system such as Overeaters Anonymous or Weight Watchers is highly recommended. It is vital that you also are on your own program of regular exercise. Hypnotherapy can also be an effective way of helping you stay with your selected dietary and exercise programs. There is a web page - thedailyplate.com - you can keep a record of your daily health habits.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
How does acupuncture help with weight loss? Chinese Medicine can address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. It can promote better digestion, smooth emotions, reduce appetite, improve metabolism, and eliminate food cravings. Acupuncture helps decrease stress and stabilize the emotions so it is especially helpful for emotional eating. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the root of excess weight is an imbalance within the body caused by malfunctioning of the “spleen” (this includes the pancreas in TCM) and liver energetic systems. In Chinese Medicine overweight can be due to a sluggish digestive tract. Think of a carburetor on your car. If it is working properly, gas is efficiently turned into energy. If it is not working well, gunk builds up in the carburetor. A build-up of fat in the body from sluggish digestion works in a similar way. Acupuncture can be used to strengthen the digestive organs so that food is more efficiently turned into energy. Food cravings and difficulty losing weight can be related to food allergies. There is an acupuncture program called NAET that will specifically address food allergies. A person can be addicted to certain foods or to sugar. Acupuncture can be used to treat addictions. This entails mostly acupuncture of the ear. This is different than ear stapling which is not considered a safe practice by most licensed acupuncturists.
There are Chinese herbal formulas that can be added to a weight loss program. They usually are designed to strengthen the digestive tract, decrease appetite, especially sugar craving, and decrease stress. Many people are having success with herbal formulas containing Hoodia, an herb from Africa. To prevent possible side effects or drug interactions, any herbal formulas, it recommended that you begin by taking one third of the recommended dose on the bottle and gradually build up to the recommended dose as tolerated. If you are taking any medications, it is strongly recommended that any herbs be taken two hours separately from them. If any problems arise, stop the herbs immediately and call me. If you have any questions, please call or email me.
Weight Maintenance
Because each person is unique, your weight loss program must also be unique. The primary reason most people succeed with their weight loss program is that they stick with it until they reach their lean weight then continue on a maintenance program for at least three months. The reasoning for this is the theory that part of the brain called the hypothalamus acts like a thermostat that resets itself to “think” that any weight that stays on the body for a length of time is the body’s normal weight. If weight loss is too rapid or if one’s lean weight is not maintained for at least three months after the weight loss, the hypothalamus will “think” that the body is starving and will trick it into putting on the weight again…. sometimes hoarding even more.
In order to enjoy permanent weight loss you will need to pay attention to the following:
Cut out high-sugar or high fat foods
Reduce your overall caloric intake
Drink more water (as opposed to sodas and other drinks high in sugar)
Exercise consistently (at least a daily walk around the block)
Eat more green vegetables
Plan your meals
Monitor your progress
Appreciate yourself and your progress
Hypnosis can help train your brain to enjoy sticking to your plan.
Why Can it Be So Difficult to Lose Weight?
Here are some theories about why losing weight can be difficult:
It is believed by many medical practitioners that an endocrine imbalance, especially an under-active thyroid gland, can be an underlying cause for weight gain and difficulty with weight loss. Diabetes can also cause problems with proper weight maintenance. If you have not had a physical examination by your doctor including routine blood tests, this would be an important first step before going on a weight loss program.
Food cravings are reported by many people who are having difficulty staying on a healthy diet. One theory about food cravings is that a person may be lacking certain nutrients needed by their body. For this reason a multivitamin/mineral supplement is recommended on a daily basis. A liquid or powder is preferred for optimal digestion and assimilation. If you are not already taking vitamin supplementation, Body Balance (liquid) or Greens First (powder) is available through Bayou Chiropractic. Both of these supplements have been helpful for some patients in curbing appetite and providing an energy boost in the afternoon.
Another theory about difficulty in losing weight is that a body system with an acid pH doesn’t lose weight as easily as a body system with an alkaline pH. (an acid system is also thought to underlie chronic pain and a number of chronic diseases.) Your pH can be checked by testing your urine or saliva with litmus paper, which can be purchased at most drug stores. It is recommended that you first test your pH when you first awaken, at mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at bedtime. As you get to know your own body’s system, you may decide to simply test your urine when you feel sluggish or have eaten a food that you suspect might have made your system more acidic. If you tend to have an acid pH, you may regulate your system through diet. There is also a supplement you may take, such as Buffer pH, which is designed to increase the alkalinity of your blood. You may find this supplement in health food stores. If you are interested in learning more about this approach, please ask me for more information about pH.
Health Benefits of Weight Loss
Weight loss and maintenance can be a very intricate and complicated process. Be patient with yourself. For lasting results the main thing to focus on is life style change. Research has shown that with the loss of just 10% of your body weight, you can expect:
Increased energy
Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
Fewer aches and pains
Improved mobility and breathing
Deeper, more restful sleep
Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes
Reduced risk of coronary artery disease, prevention of angina, and decreased risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke.
Not only will you feel better with your appearance, you will most likely be adding some healthy years to your life.
Dr. McLean’s Program
My usual program for weight loss has a combined approach of your selected dietary and exercise program, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy. The frequency of sessions depends on the individual. What is often recommended is a “jump start” with an initial session of combined acupuncture and hypnotherapy followed by three acupuncture treatments about a week apart. This may be followed by a combination acupuncture and hypnotherapy session once a month until your lean weight is reached. You may then wish to return for a “tune up” session on an as-needed basis.
