LOSE WEIGHT - GAIN HEALTH

By: Hitendra H. Shah, M.D.

                                                                             

Weight loss is a major industry in the United States.  It is an obsession for millions of people. As many as 40 percent of the women and 24 percent of the men in the United States are trying to lose weight at any given time. There are books upon books on methods to lose weight.  There are diets upon diets, pills upon pills, plans upon plans, drinks upon drinks, and exercise programs by the virtual hundreds of thousands - all blaring away at you to lose weight and develop the dream body you have always wanted.

 

So what can we add to all this that has not already been said somewhere by someone? It's difficult, it's very difficult.  On the other hand, there are many things we can say for sure.  So now let's put a fresh spin on the common sense of losing weight.

 

Many different diets and fads have come and gone and many more will come and go. For the majority of us the only sensible way to lose weight is PROPER DIET, REGULAR EXERCISES, and a FIRM COMMITMENT. Oprah Winfrey is no exception. In June 1992, she reached a life time high of 237 lbs. Just four years earlier, she’d slimmed down to 142 lbs. on Optifast diet only to gain back the lost weight - and more. Somewhere along the way she tried virtually every diet-of-the moment, all with the same result. She would lose weight, gain it back - and wind up feeling guilty and weak.  That changed in 1992. Until then, Oprah worried about what her eating habits; food was the solace she turned to whenever she felt anxious or insecure. Now she wonders, why is she eating? Is she really hungry?

 

CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN:

 

There are 7 possible causes of weight gain:

1.  Problems with food consumption

• Over-consumption

• Consumption of improper food

• Poor Digestion

2.  Slow or Under Active Metabolism

3.  Poor Elimination of Waste products (e.g. chronic constipation)

4.  Inadequate Exercise

5.  Water Retention

6.  Medical conditions such as Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, etc.

7.  Hereditary

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DR. SHAH’S TECHNIQUE:  5 STEPS TO PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS

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The foundation of my weight loss technique is based on and addresses the five basic causes of obesity. It is simple, effective, and the results are truly astounding.  So join me on this educational and enlightening journey into Dr. Shah’s technique of  losing weight “once and for all”.

 

 The five steps are:

1. INTERNAL BODY CLEANSING & IMPROVING DIGESTION.

2. PROPER DIET AND NUTRITION.

3. ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE.

4. SUPPLEMENTATION.

5. FIRM COMMITMENT.

 

1.  INTERNAL BODY CLEANSING AND IMPROVING DIGESTION

The digestive and eliminative system is the core of the human body’s weight control regulator.  I like to compare the body’s digestive system to an automobile engine...if the engine parts are malfunctioning, and the gasoline is not disbursed efficiently, it causes the car to sputter, and limp along.  If the digestive system is malfunctioning, the body tends to sputter and limp along!  Optimum metabolic functions are based around the digestion, absorption and assimilation of food.  The digestive system is responsible for disbursing all nutrients throughout the body.  We’ve all heard the old saying, “You are what you eat”. . .well I’d like to expand on that quote by stating, “You are what you digest and assimilate!”  The digestive system converts food into energy producing nutrients that feed, support and sustain our bodies.

 

Digestive Efficiency:

If the digestive system is impaired, overloaded, or malfunctioning in some way, even the most basic food sources will begin to cause problems.

 

When you eat food your body is supposed to break down the nutrients.  Properly digested food becomes fuel for energy.  If the body does not break the food down properly, undigested food matter ferments and becomes toxic.  Toxins are reabsorbed throughout the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, where they are distributed throughout the body’s tissue, organs, and cells.  This process is called autointoxication.  Autointoxication weakens bodily functions, making the digestive and eliminative organs sluggish. This results in a slower rate of metabolism.

 

The Root Cause Of Excess Weight!

Herein lies one of the root causes of excess weight!  Metabolism is the key to weight control.  When metabolism slows down, calories are not burned efficiently as energy...instead, calories are stored as fat and toxins.  Gaining weight is the unavoidable result!  When metabolic functions slow down, this includes glandular activity, which plays an important role in weight control, the lymphatic system, an important component in waste removal, becomes stagnant. 

 

The liver and gallbladder, which are instrumental in the breakdown of fats, also become sluggish and lethargic...and so the story goes!  A well functioning digestive and eliminative system will insure that food is digested properly. This assures that nutrients are absorbed and assimilated into the organs, tissues and cells properly. Therefore, assuring proper waste by-product elimination.  The ultimate result: the body is burning its fuel rather than storing it, and eliminating its waste rather than storing it.  The digestive system has a direct effect on each and every metabolic function in the body!  If the digestive system is not working properly, nothing else will either!

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2. PROPER DIET AND NUTRITION

Perhaps the most important recommendation for individuals trying to lose weight is to eat more.  That’s right, eat more.  DO NOT DIET!  One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is trying to starve themselves to achieve their goal.  It is critical to provide the body with the high quality nutrition it needs during weight loss.  If the body is not fed, it feels that it is starving.  The result: metabolism will slow down and less fat will be burned.  The body will try to protect itself from starvation.

It is clear that you must eat to lose weight.  But, instead of choosing high-calorie foods, you must eat high-fiber, low-calorie foods.  These foods can reset the origin point and help you achieve long-term, permanent results.

 

Guidelines for Healthy Eating:

The following guidelines can be used to construct a diet. It features healthy foods that you like, therefore, allowing a great freedom and flexibility. Try to eat the following daily:

* 5 servings of vegetables

* 6 servings of whole grain breads, cereals, or starchy vegetables

* 2 servings of fruits

* 2 servings of fat

* 1 serving non-fat milk or yogurt

* 1 servings of meat, poultry, fish, or beans

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3. ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISE:

Regular exercise is very important.  I know, it is easier said than done.  Most patients with weight problem also have a problem with energy. They lack it.  Even if they want to exercise, they do not have enough strength to do it faithfully.  Don’t despair.  Try to exercise as much as you can, but do it consistently and daily.  As you follow the program, you will feel better and will have more energy and strength to work out longer and longer, harder and harder.  If you feel very weak or tired, let me know and I can give you B-12 injection or vitamins which will energize you.

 

Regular, consistent exercises are a very important part of any weight-loss program.  You must exercise to lose weight:

-  It increases the metabolism and muscle mass. Men tend to lose weight faster than

   women because men have a higher percentage of muscle than women.

-  It burns calories and promotes fat loss.

-  It trims and firms the body.

-  It helps control appetite.

-  It increases cardiovascular fitness.

-  It energizes.

-  It takes our minds off of food and often improves food choices.  After exercising, we’re likely

   to choose low fat foods.

-  It makes you feel good and helps your self-esteem.

-  It relieves stress and can help you sleep better, especially if the exercise is done outdoors.

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MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH

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Your determination and perseverance will pay off. Do not count days, weeks or months and how much weight you have lost or gained. On occasion, you will gain some weight, which you will lose by continuing with the program. If you have any questions, concerns or problems please do not hesitate to call my office.  We are here to help you achieve your goal.

 

Thank you and good luck. Dr. Shah

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