What Does, and Doesn't, Work

A couple of nights ago I watched part of TLC's "My 600 Pound Life - Where Are They Now?," which was a follow-up to the recent series that chronicled four 600+ pound individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery.  This past Sunday night's program caught viewers up with where these individuals are now.  Although none of them had regained all of their weight, all four had gained quite a bit and were significantly overweight (obese).  It was clear that although they were better off than they were prior to surgery, the surgery didn't fix their issues with food.  Unhealthy eating habits, not retrained through surgery, resulted in significant weight gain.

Coupled with watching this program, I also saw a news article on the internet announcing that singer Carnie Wilson had lap-band surgery, 12 years after having gastric by-pass surgery.  In the past 12 years, she has regained 2/3 of her weight and was concerned about rising blood sugar levels and saw lap-band surgery as the way to bring things back under control.

What both of these situations make clear is that the real work of weight loss happens in the space between our ears.  We HAVE to get our thinking straight on the role that food plays in our lives or nothing will really change long-term for us.  Take Shape for Life/Medifast is a wonderful program and it works, and works fast.  However, if we don't do the hard work of redefining our relationship with food, if we don't choose to incorporate healthy habits on a permanent basis, the weight WILL come back on.

Reaching goal isn't the end . . . it's the beginning of what CAN be the rest of your thin, healthy life.  It's also the start of choosing to make wise choices when all foods once again become options. 

It's so important to begin thinking now about what maintenance will look like for you.  If you are dreaming of once again enjoying all of your old favorite foods, that's a red flag.  I don't mean that you won't ever be able to enjoy a small amount of something you used to eat, but there will be things that won't be a regular part of your life . . . if you want to stay at a healthy weight. 

That's why I'm such a huge fan of "Dr. A's Habits of Health," written by Take Shape for Life co-founder and Medifast's medical director, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen.  He spends the first part of his book discussing how to have sustainable motivation for permanent change to help us get our minds in the right place.  His book also outlines exactly HOW to eat for the rest of our lives, and it's not how to eat Medifast meal replacements.  His book also teaches simple ways to incorporate movement, reduce stress and inflammation, get restorative sleep - all of the components needed to live a longer, healthier life. 

Weight loss surgery won't fix the way people relate to food, and neither will being on Take Shape for Life/Medifast's 5&1 in and of itself.  The 5&1 program teaches us how to eat six small meals a day, critical to long-term success, but redefining our relationship with food is another important component and cannot be overlooked or ignored if you want to be part of the minority of individuals who successfully maintain their weight loss.

Is this a quick-fix diet for you, or are you committed to long-term, permanent change?  Be honest when you answer this question, then choose wisely :-)