My Philosophy

The primary focus in my medical practice is disease prevention and health maintenance. The one common factor that seems to influence the majority of my patients' health has been weight loss and exercise. These two common threads certainly help weave the fabric of health.

However, not everyone achieves that goal. Why?  Because they fail to embrace three key elements for health:

   Exercise

   Moderation

   Honesty

Where should you start?

We all know that exercise and proper diet are important. But do we realize how important? Regular exercise helps to maintain proper weight, and can influence high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and risk for certain cancers. In fact, regular and routine exercise is practically a cure-all for many ills, from arthritis to fatigue, from depression to lack of libido, and from heart disease to stress relief.

Any form of regular, consistent activity will work. Walk with your spouse after dinner every night. Swim on a regular basis. Roller blade with your kids. Practice yoga, Tai Chi, walk, jog, weight lift, ski, row, bicycle. It doesn't matter, the key is consistency and regularity.   Exercise is the first part of successful weight loss and better health.

What's the next step?

We live in the greatest country in the world, and are fortunate enough to have a plentiful supply of food. We have all been raised to expect and demand quality and variety in what we eat. We work hard, and want our "just desserts." I think this is where the majority of diets fail. They deprive us of the foods and eating experiences that we feel we have earned.

I think you should be able to have a glass of wine, a medium-rare steak, or that tiramasu occasionally. Just don't "Super-Size" it; be conscious of the quantity you eat. Practice moderation in the amount and types of food you eat. Balance this with consistent and routine exercise, and you will be able to enjoy the finer things in life, maintain your health, and perhaps lose that extra weight.   Moderation is the second part of successful weight loss and better health.

Still with me?

Do you expect to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks? There are many diets, diet pills, or supplements that claim you can lose weight easily, without exercise, maybe even while you sleep! Remember what your parents said: "If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is." They were right, and you know it. You may be able to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks, but can you keep it off? I would bet that you would eventually gain that weight right back, and perhaps more. Why? Because at some point you go off the diet, or stop taking the pills, and you go back to your old eating habits. You have just experienced the yo-yo phenomenon.

There is no quick cure, no miracle pill, no magic potions, no silver bullet for weight loss. You need to be honest with yourself about your goals and about the necessity of exercise and moderation.   Honesty is the final component to successful dieting and a healthy lifestyle.

So Doc, what is a reasonable monthly weight loss?

An honest target for weight loss is 2 to 3 pounds a month. A measely 3 pounds a month? Hardly worth the effort, you say. But look at it this way: 3 pounds a month is 36 pounds a year.

A year? You mean it's going to take me a year to lose all that weight?

Yup. Maybe longer. That is if you want to keep it off, and not ride the yo-yo. Let me ask you this, how long did it take you to gain that weight? Odds are, a lot longer than a year.

Put it all together.

Be patient, enjoy life and your family. Exercise regularly and be moderate in your diet. Don't deprive yourself, but understand exactly how many calories are in those culinary delights. My Deluxe Calorie Diary was designed with these goals in mind. It will help you learn about your input calories, portions, and output calories. The program illustrates how exercise and activity can balance your eating. It will also help you understand the "cost" of some of the foods you eat so you can work on moderation. The honesty must come from within.

Good luck and á votre santé.