Losing weight is not easy. If it were, 70% of our population would not be overweight. There are many reasons why controlling weight is difficult. Some of these reasons include:
- Chemical cravings for carbohydrates and sugars
- Slowing metabolism as we age
- Not enough time to shop for/prepare the right types of meals
- Prevalence of fast food restaurants and processed foods
There are many products, services and equipment advertised as being “help” for losing weight and keeping that weight off such as:
- Diet books
- Supplements
- Exercise equipment
- Surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Non medical behavioral programs such as Noon
- Medical programs such as Serotonin-Plus
Taking a step back and looking at the “history” of obesity in the U.S., the prevalence of obesity is over 3X than it was 50 years ago. Clearly, the advent of all of these high tech/advanced science products, programs and other “help” has not done squat for improving the health of our population as this pertains to poor weight control and the associated co-morbidities.
Having been a doctor for 40 years and practicing full time, seeing the results of new prescription medications, new “diets”, many new supplements launched etc., it is very clear to me that the very most important “help” for people trying to control weight is this:
Support, support and more support. People need support in their quest to lose weight. That support is best delivered by humans. I do not care how great a prescription appetite suppressant is or how smart the dietary approach seems, but without support the chances are very high that the overweight/obese patient will be doomed to “yo-yo” dieting.
This is the major reason why you get these long e-mails every morning…this is my attempt to help support people post-program. This is why we offer free body scans to people post program. The SP Counselors and I want you to know that we are here for you even when you are not in the active, prescription phase of our program.
Support may also come in the form of teaming up with friends and/or family that are on a similar quest to shed weight.