Obesity Free Forever Blog™

Hi Everyone,

Many people know the causes of obesity in children includes overeating and lack of exercise but may not know the dangers of television and computer time on their overweight child. 

In a study of over 500 obese children ages 4 to 17, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, more and more children are spending excess time in front of the television.  There was also a finding of high blood pressure among these overweight children.

The study suggests limiting television time to less than 2 hours a day.  A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat can help also.

Take care,

Georgene

Hi Everyone,

I used to get really discouraged when I was looking for an obesity solution.  I tried all the fast diets and easy weight loss tips available.  As soon as a new diet eating plan came out, I tried it.

For over 25 years, I tried to lose weight this way and nothing worked.  I may have lost a few pounds quickly but most of it was water and weight loss.

After losing over 140 pounds in 2005 and now keeping it off, my best tips to lose weight are to find a healthy eating plan and best exercise for weight loss for you.  The best weight loss programs should be individualized for each person.   This helps with long term results.

Have a great day!

Georgene

Hi Everyone,

Recent studies show the importance of weight loss for women.  Overweight women at 40 that stayed overweight as they aged were found to live 2 years less than those of normal weight.  Obese women at 40 died 4 to 6 years earlier compared to normal weight women.

Healthy women weight loss plans include low fat foods.  In fact, low fat foods were found better for health than lowering carbohydrates to lose weight.

Another study showed overweight women are at risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.  The risk of stroke was increased for women ages 35 to 54, especially when a majority of their fat was carried over their stomach.

At 280 pounds in 2004, I was at risk for many chronic illnesses.  One chronic illness that I experienced that made me miserable was GERD.

Losing over 140 pounds helped me live longer and freed my symptoms of GERD and Gastritis.  Maintaining this weight loss since 2005 has improved the quality of my life tremendously!  If I could learn to lose weight permanently after over 25 years of trying, I am confident you can too!

Take care,

Georgene

Hi Everyone,

This is a very exciting day for me and I am thrilled to share it with you.  Today marks my third anniversary of staying obese free!  This is the longest I have ever maintained my weight loss.

For over 25 years, I used to begin gaining weight as soon as I stopped dieting.  This time is totally different and I finally learned how to take the mystery out of weight loss.

I am often asked what the best weight loss plans are.  My answer is simple.  The best weight loss plans are the ones that are uniquely designed for the individual using it.

Losing a significant amount of weight, like over 140 pounds as I did, is relatively easy when I look back.  Staying within your allotted calories to lose weight daily will ensure weight loss.

The challenge that concerned me when I began my weight loss in 2004 was how I would keep the weight off.  Many people have the same concern.  In fact, statistics show as high as 97% of dieters regain their weight plus extra pounds as soon as they stop dieting.

Other statistics show that a 3 year maintenance period is approximately the amount of time it takes to adjust to your new thin body image.  Hmmm, perhaps I’m there.

I never take one day for granted though.  Permanent weight loss takes a lifetime of healthy eating habits.  There is some adjustment to a healthy eating plan through the weight loss process but the benefits are overwhelming when you finally achieve your goal!

Thanks for celebrating this happy day with me.

Until next time,

Georgene

Hi Everyone,

Earlier in the month I shared a blog about the President’s Fitness Award website.  I wanted to share a new feature to this website that is fun to use. 

Adults can now take online tests to measure your aerobic, muscle, body composition and flexibility.   You can compare your results against others in your state.  There are also suggestions of how to improve your fitness level.  The webiste is www.presidentschallenge.org.

Remember exercise and obesity is achievable.  Frequent exercise aids weight loss, helps prevent chronic diseases and gives you a feeling of overall well being.  Remember to ask your doctor if you can start an exercise program and start slowly, especially if you’ve never exercised before.

Georgene

Hi everyone,

As parents or guardians of overweight children you may wonder what the best approach is to help your child with overweight or obesity.

There is a lot of information available on child and teen obesity that may confuse you.  Among the information of weight loss plans for teens that is currently available is the recommendation for Bariatric surgery for adolescents.

While this may be an option to discuss with your child’s doctor, there are facts you need to be aware of before making this decision.

First, overweight children may be considered for obesity surgery  if  the adolescent failed at weight loss for 6 months or longer.  Also, the overweight child should have a body mass index of 40 or greater and reached adult height.  Remember that body mass index is measured differently in children because of the growth and development of their bodies.  Having reached their adult height is important to ensure proper growth and development for your overweight child.  Your overweight child should also have complications from the obesity such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

Second, your child will need to follow a healthy eating plan and exercise routine to ensure long term success with the obesity surgery results.

Finally, it is important that your overweight child is emotionally ready for both surgery and the new healthy habits that will be needed to be successful at weight loss.

Your child’s doctor can discuss obesity surgery as an option for your overweight child and refer you to physicians in your area that perform these procedures.

Georgene

At 280 pounds, exercise and obesity were difficult for me.  Even though my husband and I took frequent walks at night and on the weekends, the overeating I did afterwards often undid the gains from exercise!

While losing over 140 pounds and now keeping it off for 3 years, I rely on exercise to help manage my weight.  Anyone can be physically active, regardless of your size.  While exercise and obesity may be more of a challenge than at smaller weights, increasing your activity is possible.

The benefits of exercise  outweigh the costs by far!  Exercise helps reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, helps strengthen bones and muscles, helps overcome weight loss plateaus and may help you sleep better.

The best place to start is to go slow to avoid injury or complications.  When I got serious about exercise to help me lose weight faster, I started with just 10 minutes on the treadmill at 3 miles per hour.  Before I knew it, I was running for weight loss!

Remember to check with your doctor before starting an exercise or weight loss plan.  Also, you may want to ask your doctor which exercise is best for you.

The current research shows that all activity counts towards the recommended 30 minutes per day 5 days per week weight loss exercise program.  Walking extra distance in the parking lot at work, mowing the grass and chasing after kids all day increases activity and helps burn calories.  You can learn more and log your activity on the President’s Fitness Award website at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/.

Remember, everything counts!

Georgene

Hi Everyone,

There is current research to show that overweight children sleep less than normal weight kids.  This can be a catch 22 because lack of sleep has been known to increase weight problems in children.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an overweight child loses about 20 minutes of sleep each night.  In another study of children, each extra hour a child slept reduced the risk of being overweight by 9%.

Sleep is important for children to function well and stay alert in school.  Also, lack of sleep may cause your child to have hyperactivity.  Hyperactivity in children may be misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder and may lead to inappropriate treatment when really the underlying problem is lack of sleep.

Lack of adequate sleep can also lead to emotional problems which could make your child have difficulty getting along with other children.

How can parents help their children receive a good night sleep?  Here are some tips.

Encourage activity.  The most recent studies show that kids should stay physically active at least one hour daily.  Physical activity helps with weight management and sound sleep.

Establish a bedtime routine.  Routines including brushing teeth, washing face and hands, reading to your child before bedtime and enforcing lights out at the same time each night help give the body cues to prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Make sure the temperature in your child’s room is comfortable.  Extreme temperatures interfere with a restful sleep and may cause your child to wake up frequently through the night.

Eliminate viewing of television or video games prior to sleep to promote relaxation and rest.

Limit colas and sugar before bedtime to prevent stimulation.

Sleep is important for everyone, especially children to be at their best and to reduce their risk of weight problems. As a guideline, children under 5 need 11 hours or more of sleep; children 5 to 10 need 10 hours or more and children over 10 need at least 9 hours per day.

Georgene