Tracy Rose's Blog

Posted by Tracy Rose

Many people who see Bariatric surgery as an option hit a road block when they try to get their insurance companies to cover the cost. What the companies may not realize is that losing weight through Bariatric surgery can actually pay for itself over time because the individual will experience fewer health problems.

Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon Endo-Surgery didision sponsored a study on this topic. They found that health care companies do benefit from investing in weight loss surgery for qualified candidates. Most surgeries can be done for less than $20,000. While that seems like a steep number, consider the alternative.

Overweight people require more health care than people at a healthy weight. They nedd more doctor appointments, prescriptions, tests, treatments and hospital stays that the aveage person. The more they weight, the more likely they are to experience health problems realted to their obesity.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Could you be overweight because of your lack of faith? Linda Benge says that fad diets are what makes us fat and relying on God for help is the only diet you'll ever need. Her book, The Diet to End All Diets (Tate Publishing, 2007) is a small baberback that is packed with advice about feeding your soul, becoming whole again and the power of prayer. "Eating right can be a wonderful adventure with the Holy Spirit instead of endless torture," (15.)

Benge writes from experience after finding success in losing weight by relying on God and faith instead of fad diets. "I am trusting God to bring my body to balance," (69.)

Lines of scripture appropriately accompany each chapter. The book itself is nicely laid out, but it lacks substance. Like Overeater's Annonymous, many dieters take on the motto that they will accept the things they can't change and do their best to work on the rest. This goes along with the idea of trusting in a higher power to help you through the tough times.

The question is how much are we respnsible for and how much do we turn over to our higher power. Trusting in God to bring us a blanced, healthy body isn't going to work unless we do our part. Eating right, exercising and adopting a generally healthy lifestyle are essential for weight loss. When you are doing all you to lose weight and you hit a platteau, that's the time to work your hardest and trust that the details will work themselves out.

Having faith and a strong belirf is God is very motivating for some people though. The Bible is also filled with scripture that applies to a healthy life and body. Benge's book is filled with quotes that dieters can throughout their weigh loss journeys.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Obesity and depression often go hand in hand. Weight gain makes people bad about themselves. Depressed people tend to not take care of themselves as well. It becomes a circular situation of overeating and feeling sad.

Research by Sarah Markowitz, MS shows how closely obesity and depression are linked. She also suggests, however, that these conditions can be treated together. Exercising more and reducing stress are two things you can do starting now to improve both conditions.

Dieting to lose weight has a bad effect on depression and many antidepressants actually cause weight gain though. It's important to be careful when devising a treatment plan. You doctor, however, can prescribe something to treat the obesity and depression without worsening either condition.

Posted by Tracy Rose

I have been overweight since elementary school, but it took me a long time to realize that love has no size boundaries. Overweight women are not too big to date. There is always someone out there who will appreciate you for who you are.

As a teenager I had a hard time dating. I hated my body and felt different than the other girls my age. My weight was one season I didn't date, but the underlying reason was how I felt about myself and my weight.

By the time I reached my 20's I was feeling a little more comfortable about who I was. I found that the better I felt about myself, the more attractive I became. Self-acceptance was my ticket into the dating world. Guys weren't as concerned about my weight as I thought they would be.

Now in my 30's (and recently divorced) I have experienced a whole new level of attention. I decided to give online dating a try. It turns out that I am not too big to date. While I was hoping to find someone who would love me for who I am despite my size, I found that some men actually find overweight women attractive.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Xerisan is a new option for non-prescription weight loss pills for the severely obese. It contain four key ingredients that work together to maximize your weight loss success

1. Phaseolus Vulgaris, a bean extract that is known as a carb blocker

2. Calcium Pyruvate, an ingredient that has shown good results in doubling people's weight loss efforts

3. Synephrine, a stimulate that raising metabolism and provides energy

4. Chromium Picolinate, a common ingredient in diet pills that burns fat and carbs.

The ingredients combine to stimulate the metabolism, suppress appetite and reduce your calories and fat. Combined with diet and exercise, Xerisan can be a useful weight loss tool.

Research Results on Phaseolus Vulgaris

According to a recent study, "Phaseolus Vulgaris extract produces significant decrements in body weight and suggest decrements in fat mass in the face of maintained lean body mass." The study concluded that, "Phaseolus Vulgaris extract appears to be a safe and effective aid to consider in weight loss/ maintenance programs."

The Verdict on Xerisan

Though Xerisan is noted as an expensive over-the-counter weight loss supplement, it has no known side effects. Research shows that Xerisan can help severely obese people lose weight when used along with a proper diet and increased exercise.

Int J Med Sci. 2007; 4(1): 45-52.

Published online 2007 January 24

Posted by Tracy Rose

Just about every woman I know struggles with her weight or with food issues of some sort. So it doesn't surprise me that a new survey by Self Magazine and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that 31% of women have used diet pills, laxatives or purged after eating to lose weight. Nor does it surprise me that 3 out of 4 women have issues with food or their bodies.

I have personally fought the weight loss battle since I was a kid. I have a sister, friends and support group members whoa re also overweight. Not one of us is happy with our bodies, yet despite dieting attempts, the weight either won't budge or we lose weight temporarily and gain it all back.

The study also found high percentages of women who ate less than 1,000 calories per day to lose weight, found that being overweight caused them to be unhappy, have tried cutting out complete food groups to lose weight or have an emotional eating problem.

I'll be the first to admit that I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I am a self-proclaimed emotional eater. I eat because I learned at a young age, as a sensitive and self-conscious child, that food was my friend. Food would never turn on me or let me down. Depending on food to lift my mood became a behavior problem and it is difficult to change.

This study proved that I am not alone in my weight loss struggles. In fact, most women have food issues or are unhappy with their bodies.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008, April 23). Three Out Of Four American Women Have Disordered Eating, Survey Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 27, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2008/04/080422202514.htm

Posted by Tracy Rose

I recently came across a study that found 50% of obese girls were less likely to go to college. Certainly not because of their lack of intelligence, motivation or interest. The reason obese girls are opting not to go to college is because they lack the self-confidence and self-esteem.

I see this as a sad reality. As a once overweight college student myself, I guess I was in the other half of the equation that wanted a better life for myself, regardless of my size. Education is important and nothing should stop young women from reaching their educational goals.

What concerns me is that if women choose to opt out of college because of the way they look, what else will they drop out of in life? What kind of life do we lead if we stay locked up at home, wishing we were skinny? That's not the kind of life I want to life. I want to lose weight and be healthier, but my life does not stop because I am overweight.

I urge overweight women to go to college and make that commitment to yourself. Going to college was empowering and it was a great time in my life. Not to mention that my weight was not an issue with people after I graduated high school. A little maturtiy goes a long way.

Reference:

Economics of Population Health, 2008

http://businessshrink.biz/Psychology of Business/2008/03/06/obese-girls-50-less-likely-to-attend-college-than-non-obese/

Posted by Tracy Rose

In a beautiful setting far away from home and the Biggest Loser ranch contestants were put to the test. This wasn't the common vacation. They were taught how to eat healthy while on vacation by shopping local fresh food markets, but they also had to train harder than they ever have and completed a triathlon.

Contestants reaches new highs in their weight loss journeys this week as they pushed their fears aside and took the bull by the horns. Kelly made herself proud by just being able to complete the triathlon. Mark not only put aside his fear of bridges to participate in the challenge, but he also put his need to win aside in an emotional gesture during the challenge. Mark and Alli had been neck and neck the whole race, so when he was close to the finish line he stopped and waited for her. They crossed the finish line together with her carrying him on her back.

Sadly for Mark, the vote was between him and his brother this week. They both gained one pound this week. Many tears wre shed as his brother Jay asked the other contestants to write his name down and vote him out this week. Mark had sacrificed himself earlier in the game and earned his way back in, so it was Jay's turn to take one for the team.

Posted by Tracy Rose

One pound. It doesn't seem like much in the big scheme of things, but on the Biggest Loser ranch, one pound is all it takes to stay or be sent home.

This week on the Biggest Loser, Jay won $10,000 in a food challenge. He was then given the choice of keeping the money or buying a one pound pass with it to use for the weigh in. Because of the value of one pound in this game, Jay chose to cash in the money for the one pound pass.

The girls took the weigh in by storm this week and were, in fact, the biggest losers. I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. Jillian pushed these two to their limits and they came out on top with the top two scores for the week.

Dan was sent home this week because he only lost one pound and fell below the yellow line. It was just another reminder of how important that one pound difference really is.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Last night on the Biggest Loser, Jillian (the trainer) stood up for one of her teammates (Brittany) in a big way. Allison (the host) pointed a question about the game to Brittany and Jillian jumped to her defense. She told them Brittany had a difficult weak and begged everyone to just back off. That is the clean version of what happened. Jillian let her have it and really cussed her out.

Although I think Jillian's comments were inappropriate, I was happy to see someone standing up for Brittany. I am rooting for Brittany to win. She was part of the two person team with a stranger in the beginning. Her and Bernie formed a solid bond quickly and it was difficult because this was the first week since Bernie was sent home.

I can relate to Brittany because there have been times when I have put my full effort into eating right, exercising and making lifestyle changes to lose weight and the weight did not come off as easily as it did for everyone around me. Brittany even has Jillian stumped, at times, because she is following the dietary guidelines and we see her kicking butt during her workouts, but two pounds is all the scale will reflect as a loss when the others are pulling 4-8 pounds.

While I think Jillian could have handled herself better at the weigh in last night and it was good Biggest Loser drama, I was happy to see her sticking up for Brittany.

Posted by Tracy Rose

The author of the South Beach Diet, Arthur Agatston wrote a companion book called the South Beach Diet Cookbook. The South Beach Diet is a complete resource for low-carb dieters.

There is an overview of the South Beach Diet that describes good and fad carbs, good and bad fats, how to reduce fat and how to eat enough of the good stuff so you feel full and stack on track with your weight loss goals.

Next is a section on how to shop for success on the South Beach Diet plan.

The three phases of the South Beach Diet are outlined.

Lastly, the cookbook is filled with recipes that will fill you up, increase you health and help you lose weight. The recipes are interesting and different enough that you won't feel like you are on a diet program.

Recipes:

*Fire Spice Salmon

*Souffle stuffed chicken

*Caribbean ratatouille

*Chocolate-swirled cheesecake

*Peachy walnut torte

Posted by Tracy Rose

As if I needed another reason to head South for the winter, a recent study shows that cold weather effects our metabolism. Keeping your metabolism fired up is key to losing weight. It is how you burn extra calories.

Living in a cold climate area can be depressing. I have spring fever already. I crave the fresh air, outdoors walks and warmer air. Aside from the benefits of natural sunlight, it seems there is yet another reason to head south for the winter.

According to a new study by the University of Chicago, "A strong correlation between climate and several genetic variations that appear to influence the risk of metabolic syndrome (Science Daily, Feb. 17, 299).

Basically what happens is your appetite and energy balance are effected by cold temperature. this causes us to move less, eat more and gain weight. Living in a cold climate place makes weight loss a bit more challenging. It doesn't mean you have to move or throw in the towel on your weight loss efforts, but it is good to get outside as much as possible and expose yourself to natural sunlight. Make a conscious effort to eat healthy and exercise daily to keep your energy up and metabolism burning.

Posted by Tracy Rose

People who are overweight or obese have a special type of addiction. Food addicts wear their addiction on the outside. It's too easy for people to make assumptions about overweight and obese people based simply on the way they look. Extra abdominal fat tells others that you have a lifestyle to support it, like having an addiction to carbs and sweets.

It's not as easy to look at someone who is of average weight and see be able to tell what their issues are. Maybe they are OCD, an alcoholic or are addicted to pain killers. The difference is that their addictions are worn on their bodies like a badge of dishonor.

When losing weight becomes the battle of your life, it's easy to think that trading addiction might be the answer. Smokers often gain weight when they stop smoking. Should I start smoking to lose weight? People who smoke pot seem to have a higher metabolism. They are able to eat a lot and still maintain a low BMI and keep the weight off. Should I trade addictions so I can lose weight too?

The answer to losing weight is not to trade one addiction to another. Instead of trading your addiction for food for another unhealthy addiction, try swapping it for something healthier. Make exercise a part of your daily routine and use that to manage your stress when you would otherwise be reaching for food to sooth your emotions.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Feeling frustrated at the end of the day when life isn't going quite the way you expected, it's easy to turn to food to fill the void. Food has a strong emotional connection for many of us and it goes back to our infancy and childhood when we are taught that food is a way to soothe negative feelings.

If you have never experienced true happiness, you may be over-reliant on food as a crutch to get you through the emotional highs and lows of life. My guess is that is not working for you. Instead, by eating more food than your body needs and eating for the wrong reasons has caused you to gain weight and be even more unhappy with yourself. it is a viscious cycle of feeling bad, soothing those feelings by overeating and then feeling guilty about it.

Finding true happiness in your life is the cure for emotional eating. Until you find that inner peace, you will likely continue to fill the void with excessive amounts of food. the problem is that food is not the answer. It isn't your stomach that needs to be filled.

Work at surrounding yourself with like-minded, positive people. Work hard to make the life you want and take time to enjoy the little things in life to find happiness and lose weight.

Posted by Tracy Rose

The couples version of the Biggest Loser has had it's share of twists and turns. The contestants this season never seem to know what to expect. They can be on a different team tomorrow, can be dumped by their trainer, can be sabotaged by temptations and even lose their partner and have to go it alone.

Who knew weight loss could be so competitive. The contestant this season, perhaps spurred on by Neil's water weight gain tactic last season, have come in prepared to play the game. They know they need to stay longer to have the best scenerio for weight loss and to have a shot at the title and grand prize and they mean business.

The game continues to change on this season of the Biggest Loser too. They went from teams of two to two teams and now, rather than voting out a team, they are voting out individuals, splitting up the couples that came into the weight loss game together for support.

Posted by Tracy Rose

Posted by Tracy Rose

On January 1, the biggest loser kicked off its season premiere on NBC. Not surprisingly, the biggest loser has a few tricks up its sleeve. Last week they introduced nine teams of couples that range from siblings and friends to a divorced couple.

They were surprised to find out there would be a 10th team made up of two people who were strangers. This could be an unfair advantage for the 10th team because their emotions wouldn't get in the way of their weight loss.

One thing I noticed right off the bat is that Kim was missing. All 10 teams are training together with both trainers, Jillian and Bob.

Another big change on the Biggest Loser of the season is the scale. The normally gigantic scale just got bigger. Actually, it was split into two scales and their combined weight ( or combined weight loss) is the number that counts.

The interesting thing about the first weigh in is that the two couples who are afraid to weigh in because they couldn't stand up to the competition actually came in on top. All the couples lost weight , but it was clear who needed to go home: the father and daughter team.

The daughter wanted to be on the Biggest Loser campus desperately and she felt it was necessary to lose her way in hell per day lose weight so he can be around a while longer. He, on the other hand, made it clear that he did not want to be there. You would not put in extra effort at the workouts and he is much as told to the contestants that he is ready to go home. Even though he lost the good amount weight for the week, the other teams decided that this team should go home.