Obesity Free Forever Blog™

Hi Everyone,

Last week was a busy one as my co-workers and I worked on a H1N1 (Swine) Flu prevention plan for our hospitals.  It was an interesting experience.  In my 12 years of doing infection control in healthcare, I’ve never experienced such a situation.  The rumor control alone took up a ton of time.  The corporate team was phenomenal and we put a great prevention plan in place. 

During the activitiy, I received an update about Hydroxycut from the FDA.  Here is the link http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/hydroxycut/consumeradvisory.html.

The news did not surprise me.  The fact that someone died from liver fail was sad, though.  This reminded me of when I used to be on the fad diet cycle when I weighed 280 pounds.  I thought that next best appetite suppressant was my ticket to thinness!  How wrong I was!  In fact, I took one product, which is now off the market, back in the early 90’s and developed chemical induced Hepatitis.  I was so jaundiced I was glowing!

In my weight loss adventure of losing over 140 pounds I learned one thing, there is no get thin quick approach.  In fact, I would not have it any other way!  This may sound strange but here is why I say that.  Becoming obese is a complicated process.  It takes years to become obese.  Losing weight is a matter of releasing bad habits, learning new ones and then practicing those new habits until they become second nature.  The key is in the “learning”.  Once you learn something and you have that “aha” moment, no one can ever take that away from you.  You may slip up every once in awhile but you’ll always have the tool (knowledge) to get yourself back on track.

The best appetite suppressant I found is increasing my fiber and water intake.  Finding ways to increase my fiber intake throughout the day with tasty foods such as Fiber One products helps me eliminate hunger.  I find fiber to be my best appetite suppressant.

Take care and have a great day!

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