Nicholson Clinic Blog

In the August issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researchers at the University of Buffalo published a study that suggests that the company you keep can greatly influence your eating habits.

Basically the study found when overweight kids are around lean friends they consume less calories than when they are spending time with other overweight friends. Both obese and normal-weight children between the ages of 9 and 15 were paired together. Each pair spent 45 minutes in a room that contained games, puzzles, healthy snacks, and junk food. The kids where allowed to do and eat whatever they wanted for 45 minutes while they were monitored with cameras.

The result is not a big surprise. Sarah-Jeanne Salvy summed it up like this, “Being friends increased food intake, being overweight and eating with an overweight [person] increased eating, and when you combined those, the overweight friends were eating about 700 calories.”

However, overweight youngsters have enough social problems to deal with, parents are not encouraged to isolate their children from other children. Instead, a diversity of friends is always a better influence to help encourage a variety of behaviors.

via Newsweek.com

Of course, we would venture to say that these findings aren’t isolated to our children. The company you keep will always influence who you are as well as what you eat. Sometimes a lifestyle change is not just inwardly focused, you might have some outside factors to deal with as well.

More than 30 percent of Texas schoolchildren are considered overweight or obese, which is significantly higher than the nation as a whole, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. Since breakfast and lunch school meal programs can influence children and their eating habits, a Texas Public School Nutrition Policy was put into effect.

Guidelines already in place provide limits to what can be served to children and when. Additional updates were put into effect this school year. A key highlight is that schools must eliminate deep-fat frying as a method of on-site preparation served as part of reimbursable school meals, a la carte, snack lines and competitive foods.

Another change is that high schools may not serve or provide access for students to Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) and all other forms of candy at any time anywhere on school premises until the end of the last scheduled class. This policy was already in effect at elementary and middle school campuses and has been extended to high schools this year as part of the four-year phase in of the healthy eating program.

While food selections offered to students during school doesn’t mean they won’t have access to foods that are high in calories, salt and fat, it is hoped that it will make student more aware of nutritional choices and how it feels good to be physically fit and at a healthy weight.

For those of us adults struggling with extra pounds now, we’d all probably agree that better food choices at a younger age could have helped reduce the likelihood of becoming obese later. While there are certain exceptions that are still granted to allow children the ability to eat foods of minimal nutritional value at designated times during the school year, teachers report they like the approach to healthier eating and more active lifestyles. Their biggest request is that parents follow suit by providing healthier food options in lunches brought to school and what is served to kids outside of the school day.

You can view the new Texas Public School Nutrition Policy here (PDF)

This may be the recipe for a big fight, but AOL Health has some tips on how to tell your spouse to lose weight. We’ve ventured into this dangerous topic before when we listed ways to encourage a friend or loved one to lose weight. The first rule for dealing with such a sensitive topic is that you should be a cheerleader, not a coach.

A few of the tips we suggested were

• Offer to join them in eating healthy. Don’t compete to lose weight, instead offer to provide a partner in the process. Only they can motivate themselves to lose weight.
• Invite them to go on walks or some activity that you can do together.
• Offer to join them at the grocery store. Encourage them to make the right chooses about the food they are buying.

You could also offer to attend a free weight loss surgery seminar. Here’s some of AOL Health’s suggestions.

Easy does it
How do you bring the subject up to your partner?

Avoiding criticism of your partner is key. According to Tina Tessina, Ph.D., psychotherapist and author of “How to Be Free and Still Be a Couple,” the best way to raise the weight issue is to approach it from a health perspective. Gently bring up the topic by saying, “I want you to be around for a long time and I’m worried about your health.”

Don’t say the F word
That three-letter word (Fat) is sure to hurt feelings. Similarly, the words ‘you’ve gained weight’ should never cross your lips, says Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., M.A., R.D., co-author of “Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life.” Your partner already knows that he or she has gained weight — (he/she has a scale and a mirror, right?). There’s no need to emphasize the point. Instead, focus on why your partner has gained weight and try to help them with the root problem. What your spouse needs most is support and encouragement for tackling the problem. Create an action plan, which includes specific strategies for lending support.

Sweat together
Getting active and staying fit is a partnership.

“Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, learn to kayak … or have more sex,” says Tessina. But never launch into a competitive challenge, which experts claim is the kiss of death — both for your workout and your relationship. Instead, find creative ways to motivate and support each other. Launch a win-win challenge by putting $5 in a pot for every pound lost or every 10 miles you run — no matter which partner does the losing or running. Then, use the money to buy something for both of you. Couples massage anyone?

Don’t cop out
And don’t hoard harmful snacks!

“Food policing is one of the most serious food-related issues between partners,” says Sass. “And in most cases, it fuels the behavior the food cop is trying to change.” A better approach: Stock the fridge with ready-to-eat produce. Keep cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, baby carrots and celery sticks on hand. Cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe into cubes and make it available for an impromptu craving.

Visit NicholsonClinic.com for more information about weight loss surgery
AOL Health article

This should put a smile on your face and maybe even inspire you!

Frank Levine began running competitively at the age of 65 — nothing big, just a marathon. He’s run seventeen marathons since that time. Levine just broke a world record for the 5000-meter in the 95-99 category with a finishing time of 50 minutes and 10 seconds.

Fat is suddenly fabulous, at least on TV, according to an article published in Wednesday’s Star-Telegram. While ultra-svelte or buff bodies have traditionally ruled the so-called small screen with the exception of a few character actors here and there, this may be the case no longer.

Drop Dead Diva, a show about a rail-thin model reincarnated as an overweight lawyer, is scoring the highest ratings for a new Lifetime series since 2007. Ruby, a show about the adventures of 500-pound Ruby Gettinger has earned Style Network its best numbers. And this past spring, The Biggest Loser provided NBC with its best Tuesday-night viewership in four years.

So, what’s going on? According to the article written by Neal Justin, it is most likely due to more Americans identifying with overweight and obese people than ever before. Obesity rates of adults and children continue to soar, a fact that has resulted in barriers of plus-sized people appearing on television shows and in the movies being broken. In fact, more robust stars are earning fans and getting lead roles than ever before. Another reason is that reality TV has captured the interest of American television watchers like never before, and watchers like tuning in to shows that depict people struggling, and perhaps overcoming, their weight challenges. Some people have even indicated that tuning into shows showing people transform from obese to fit has been a motivator for them to accomplish similar achievements with their own lifestyle.

Like many other television shows, however, some people dislike the names of shows like The Biggest Loser, saying it is disrespectful to individuals who are overweight, although others disagree. Those who dislike the title say that people who are obese already face enough social stigma without a flippant name to a television show that showcases extreme size. Those supporting the name, however, say that what it really is saying is those who lose have the greatest to gain – and isn’t that the grand prize in the end?

Take a look at this interview from the weight loss surgery channel about the psychology of weight loss surgery. Dr. Ritz makes some very interesting comments about food psychology.

“Many patients assume that weight loss surgery is a great quick fix for obesity. They need to realize that is a complete lifestyle alteration – not just physical, but 100 percent psychological as well,” explains Dr. Ritz. “It is crucial to encourage patients to plug into support groups with other bariatric patients.”

© Weight Loss Surgery Channel

Laura Anderson is 23 years old and is excited to say that she lost 185 pounds after she had gastric bypass. Over two years ago Laura began her weight loss journey with Nicholson Clinic and now at 23 years old she says that she definitely has a “life [she] never thought was possible.”

Take a look at her video below that documents her weight loss journey over those two years.

YouTube Link

Congratulations Laura!

During these beautiful summer days, I often find myself craving a classic summer treat, but the best tasting food are always the worst for my diet. Luckily, there’s no reason why we can’t enjoy some of the best foods responsibly. Health.com has put together a great list of tasty alternatives to some of those best-tasting foods.

Smoothie King’s Hulk Strawberry Smoothie
One 20-ounce smoothie: 1,044 calories, 35g fat, 120g sugar.

Choose this instead: Low-Carb Strawberry smoothie: 268 calories, 9g fat, 3g sugar.

Starbucks’ Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Creme with whipped cream
One 16-ounce Grande: 510 calories; 19g fat, 11g saturated; 59g sugar; 300mg sodium.

Choose this instead: Your best bet is a regular cup of coffee without all the bells and whistles. If you just can’t live without a Frappuccino, make it a Coffee Frappuccino Light Blended Coffee: 130 calories, 0.5g fat, 16g sugar.

Coldstone’s PB&C Shake
One “Gotta Have It” (Coldstone speak for “large”): 2,010 calories; 131g fat, 68g saturated; 153g sugar.

Choose this instead: A better bet is the 16-ounce Sinless Oh Fudge! Shake, with the same chocolaty taste, but a quarter of the calories and only 2 grams of fat.

Auntie Anne’s Jumbo Pretzel Dog
One Jumbo Pretzel Dog with butter: 610 calories; 29g fat, 13g saturated; 1,150mg sodium.

Choose this instead: Go for the original pretzel without the butter and salt and you’ll whittle your treat down to 310 calories and only 1 gram of fat. Now that’s more like a snack!

Cinnabon’s Caramel Pecanbon
One bun: 1,092 calories, 56g fat, 47g sugar.

Choose this instead: Cinnabon has no options that are particularly healthy, but you can try a Minibon, designed for smaller—and smarter—appetites: 300 calories, 11g fat.

Wendy’s Sweet and Spicy Boneless Wings
One order: 550 calories, 18g fat, 27g sugar, 2,530mg sodium.

Choose this instead: Try the Ultimate Chicken Grill, a grilled chicken breast on a sesame-seed bun: 320 calories, 7g fat, 8g sugar. Still, with 950 milligrams of sodium, don’t make it a daily habit.

While the popular lap band surgery often is the weight loss procedure most talked about, it isn’t the best solution for everyone. People considering weight loss surgery should also carefully consider the gastric bypass and sleeve options and fully understand the differences between each before making a decision. That’s because all patients are unique and a type of surgery that works well with one person may not be as successful with another for achieving desired permanent weight loss.

A health story aired on the 10 p.m. news on Wednesday night on local affiliate NBC. The story profiled a woman who indicated that she never lost the weight she desired with a Lap-Band, saying she had been told that the lap band didn’t fail her but that she failed the Lap-Band. She eventually had a gastric bypass and was extremely pleased with the overall result. The story went on to say that no weight loss procedure is totally effective long-term unless the patient is willing to make lifestyle changes and become in-control over eating habits. Often, that is accomplished through weight loss counseling or by attending support groups.

While the story may have at first viewing seemed like a knock against lap bands, it was really saying that persons need to carefully research their options and be able to make a lifelong commitment to eating healthier and adding exercise to their daily routine. That’s what we tell our patients as well, and provide the support and motivation that people will need to accomplish both their short-term – and long-term – goals.

We welcome the opportunity to talk to you about surgical options and what you can expect from the procedure, including cost and recovery time. Attend our next free seminar. We hope to see you there!

Athletes struggling to lose weight is not something you hear about very often, but LenDale White (running back for the Tennessee Titans) lost more than 30 pounds this offseason and is at his slimmest weight since high school. So how exactly did he lose all that weight? He gave up tequila.

LenDale states on the Titans website that “it wasn’t a lot of major diet changes. (It was) watching what I drink. I was a big Patron consumer. That’s what it was. I was drinking a lot, drank a lot of alcohol. I cut that out of my diet all the way. I don’t drink at all. I cut the drinking, I stopped drinking for six months. It started falling off.”

We’ve discussed the surprising amount of calories in alcohol. Did you know that a Long Island Iced Tea has 520 calories? And on a post, “Why Alcohol and Weight Loss Don’t Go Together,” our friend Yvonne McCarthy shared a great quote: “As we lose weight we often become much more sociable and the combination of alcohol and partying can be very dangerous.”

After undergoing gastric bypass weight loss surgery, you will find that even small amounts of alcohol will affect you quickly. For the first year, it is suggested that you completely refrain from drinking alco