***QUESTION OF THE DAY*** Are you happy you did not get WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

Yes, every time I reflect back to my journey towards weight loss surgery, I am happy that I did not go that route. I attempted not once, but two times at getting surgery - Lap Band and The Sleeve. The surgeon was very nice, but he indicated the best results for me was to just become healthy. In my early 20s I was dying to just get the weight off - I was looking for the quick, fast results. I ended up getting denied because I was classified as being healthy, just overweight.

What does that mean?
This indicated that I was just overweight and was not at a high risk of needing the surgery immediately. Patients like individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes are cleared as high risk because losing the weight could assist and aid their illnesses. Of course I was angry at the insurance company and my job because they would technically did not allow me to get the surgery. The company I worked for, indicated they would not cover the surgery at all, and when the doctor appealed, this is when the insurance company indicated - I was basically healthy. My solution? He told me to just go on a diet and exercise - the weight would come off. I cried, became angry, and ate myself into a deeper obesity problem...

Do you wish you had the surgery now looking back?
Now that I have tackled this, I know for a fact the surgery was not for me. It is difficult for people to understand the concept of losing gradually. I know people who are only 200 pounds with no real medical issues and are being approved for weight loss surgery. This bothers me because there are too many risk when going in for weight loss surgery. I know someone who lost a close friend because of complications experiences post the surgery. This person ended up with blood poisoning. I know another person who had a bad reaction to anesthesia, and never woke up post surgery. These are real people, but we never heard about them in the news or the health journals, but there are so many risk.

Besides the risks, I look at some people who have had the surgery, and depending on how big they were, they were in need of additional surgery, but most insurances will not cover it because it is considered cosmetic surgery - yes, I am referring to the removal of excess skin. I look at my body now and am so proud to see my body is conforming to what it should look like. I remember when I did the shake diet, and I lost the weight so fast, that my skin started to sag - not sexy.

People who get the surgery, I applaud them for wanting to take a step in the right direction. They want to get the pounds off. I understand some people just need the extra help to lose weight because some are unable to walk or function without help. But, personally, I am happy I found the right surgeon who did not push the issue of me becoming one of his patients. He provided a lot of advise, and I thank him for that indirect motivation. It was meant for me to experience the old life and for me to transition to this new lifestyle because when I speak, it comes from firsthand experience.

So, my recommendation: do what is best for you. If you are sure you cannot push past the challenges and you are in need to get healthy because of major medical issues, then do it! Find a surgeon who cares about you, not the money. Some doctors will do surgery on people who technically do not need it; however, there are some who will not touch you because they know deep inside it is unethical because you really do not need it. Choose your battles wisely. Dr. Jacobs - thank you, and thank you to myself for living the unhealthy life, but transitioning into the healthy side... If I can do it, you can too.

Find your motivation!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Visit: www.successweight.com

***QUESTION OF THE DAY*** How do you deal with the change?

I am constantly asked various questions, and one that stood out was: How do you deal with the change?

Well, to be honest it is still strange for me. When I look at my body and analyze my habits, I realize how much I have changed. I try to remain humble about the change in lifestyle because I know how easy it is to revert back to the old habits. So, I embrace the change and take it one day at a time.

Living this new way has also made me reflect on the past - why did I do it before? I tend to ask myself that question numerous times especially when I speak to people about the various methods I attempted. Looking at the amount of money I wasted (and my mom's money) on diet plan and gimmicks left and right that it makes me sick at times. But, the reality is - it is what it is and I've changed now.

The one thing that has amazed me is how people around me has changed. Rather some, not all can be negative about my change. I hear comments like, "Oh, you will fail again..." "You sure you didn't get the surgery? Nobody loses weight that fast..." There will always be negativity towards one's change, but you have to remain focused on what you want. Many times we dwell on the comments of others around us, and we do not realize the change was done for us, not for the people around us.

So, as I continue to change, I feel a level of accomplishment. This past weekend I was able to go to Old Navy and I brought a few dresses - size XL. That is huge! I have not been able to get an XL dress ever. This is not the XL for Women's Plus Size, this was the regular plus. So, when you see your body changing and you realize how you are changing - it makes you feel great and each day you make an effort to change your lifestyle, you should be proud of yourself for all you have successfully done.

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

visit: www.successweight.com

***QUESTION OF THE DAY*** What is negative calories?

GOOD MORNING!

I missed everyone... Hope you all had a great weekend - I did.

So, today I was asked a serious question - is there a such thing as negative calories? First, what is a negative calorie?

Negative calories are foods that "refers to food that takes more calories to process than it delivers," according to Hartley (2009). People confuse this with the fact many dietitans and programs like Weight Watchers hint that certain foods can be eaten without limitations because they carry no calories, but the reality is they do have calories.

What are examples of "negative calories" foods? Some examples are: spinach, lettuce, celery, cucumbers, and onions. Basically any food that is based with water is why people consider it free or negative calories.

Are fruits considered "negative calories" too?
Yes, but  technically fruits are higher in calories than most vegetables because of the natural sugar. Fruits like grapefruit is on the list of "negative calories" because it provides great benefits and aids weight loss, but the reality is: a grapefruit contains over 70 calories. Most "negative calorie" fruits are high in fiber - which is a great benefit, but be careful because they can be high in sugar. This is why eating only fruit could actually hinder your overall health because it is increasing the amount of sugar in your system.

"Negative calorie" foods will make me lose weight? 
As always a healthy combination of all types of foods are necessary for long term weight loss. Eating only "negative calorie" foods will eliminate the intake of all the other nutrients one needs: protein, calicum, vitamin B, C, and everything else. We need a combination of foods to ensure we are healthy overall. Do not fall into the trap of believing there are really "negative calorie" foods which will magically make you lose weight. This may help for short term, but you need to realize there is more to losing weight and being healthy overall.
TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Visit: www.successweight.com

Hartley, W. (2009). The Negative Calories Myth Explained. Retrieved from: http://caloriecount.about.com/negative-calories-myth-explained-b349703#ixzz2X8qukwUJ

***NEWS*** Starbucks to post calories in ALL stores... Will it change anything?

So, this morning as I got ready for work I heard on the news how Starbucks was going to post the calories for all their drinks/meals in all of their stores. NYC has been posted since 2008, the report highlighted. So, will this change what people order?

I am a frequent Starbucks' visitor (been a Gold card holder for years now), and when I see some of the calories for these beverages it literally makes me sick to my stomach. Now, did I always feel this way even before I changed my mindset about life? Yes! Imagine going in to see a large (venti) frapp has over 600 calories for one drink? I am sorry, but that really does make me want to think twice, but that does not go for everyone.

Since NYC is one of the leaders in getting people healthy (Thank you Mayor Bloomberg), you would think more people would be conscience of what they take in since our fast food restaurants all have the calorie counts available, but it does not change people minds. For example, reports show that more than 550 million Big Macs are sold each year  in America, and a Big Mac has over 550 calories per sandwich, not the meal.

So, what can happen to change the unhealthy lives of Americans?

At the end of the day, it has to be a personal choice. McDonald's and Starbucks are in to make money, and as long as people continue to purchase high calorie beverages or meals, they are going to continue selling them. Living healthy is a personal choice, and no mayor or government can stop what one eats, but as a person you have to analyze what you take in.

People criticize Mayor Bloomberg for trying to force a healthier city, but what is wrong with that? I am against banning things such as large beverages because to me - if you ban a large cup, then people are going to buy 2 mediums - you cannot ban or limit how much one purchases. But, I do believe educating people on how to make healthier choices would be more successful. Look at cigarette commercials - they show people with missing limbs - why couldn't we do that? Why not show how 5 pounds of fat really look, and how many calories equals 5 pounds - that could be drastic, but for some people it could work. We are a society that rely on scare tactics. Encouraging healthier choices, hosting workshops/seminars on healthy living, or hosting campaigns could allow people to want to make these better choices.

Most people do not read nutritional facts on their packages and many people ignore the calories listed next to the Whopper or Venti Latte with extra Whip Cream; therefore, what do you expect people to do? How can you expect anyone to just want to be healthy? You cannot - they have to want to do it for themselves. We all need that wake up call, and I pray it is not a heart attack or stroke for my fellow Americans. Take better care of yourself, and remember you deserve to be happy and healthy.

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Visit: www.successweight.com

***Healthy Tip*** Healthy is NOT a Gimmick

So, one of Success Weight's mottos are: No Gimmicks!

What is a gimmick? The promises of fast, quick, easy results. Things such as products and services which are supposed to help you lose weight. But, it says nothing about being healthy.

Every year something comes out by some Doctor or Company promising us the key to losing weight and some even go as far as saying, "...and keep it off..." Now, are there products which can help you do this? Yes. Are they all safe? No. Will everyone keep it off? No. Do we know this, but still buy it? Yes. Are these people rich? YES!!!

So the new recent "gimmick" is the body wrap. I've heard people rave about this especially since everyone is looking to get rid of the tummy fat for the beach season - fine, I understand. So, this body wrap is not new - I've had a series back in 2009. I found an ad in amNewYork (I used to read this a lot lol), but I went and they put this cream on, wrap me in saran wrap, and put me in this foil wrap (extra heat) for I think 30 minutes. I sweat. I did 3 - once a week. I didn't see any major results after 3, rather I did not see any results. But, I did spend $25 for the first wrap, and I think $40 for the last two.

So, present day - my coworkers and students come to me about this wrap. How I need to lose it. I had one say, "Please, you're wasting your time with that drinking water and eating good stuff. I eat how I want and when I want. I just put the wrap on, and I am burning fat and eating what I want." See this is why I hate gimmicks because it sends the wrong message. I know someone else who was dedicated to going to the gym and eating well, but once she got hooked on the wraps that changed. Gimmicks cannot promise you long term results.

Gimmicks are promises to sell something. In this society it is so easy though. See programs like Success Weight has a lot of competition because we are based on, not quick and easy, but gradual and long term results. People are not sure which they want. They want the long term results, but they want it now. See gimmicks may give you now or right now, but at what expense to the user? Diet pills can kill you. Wraps, if not used properly, could cause issues too. You have to educate yourself in knowing - YOU DID NOT PUT THE WEIGHT ON OVERNIGHT; IT WILL NOT COME OFF OVERNIGHT! Keep this in mind as you explore a healthy lifestyle.

Wanting to change your lifestyle means doing it in a way that will not prohibit your life in any other way. You have to eventually realize the gimmicks do not work. Every time I think back to all the gimmicks I fell into, I think about what I put my body through, and how much money I spent which was useless. The market of weight loss gimmicks is high, and trust I understand their perception - it is easy to sell the quick, fast idea - why not? Nobody is looking into long term or gradual results. No! You have people  going broke to pay for products that are not really good for them, but the idea of losing weight this fast is all they focus on. Trust, I was there. I broke the special shakes so I could lose up to 21 pounds in 4 weeks - boy, I had it figured out... I spent money on the special cream that melts the fat off. I did it all and more.

Bottomline - healthy living has no gimmicks attached. Either you want it or you don't. We cannot promise 20 pounds in 2 days, and we won't. We don't want you dwelling on when you want to lose it by. Just focus on you actually doing it, and how you are going to keep it off. This is a challenge, but if you are ready then you will do what you have to do.

Good luck! Remember, stop falling into the gimmick track. Focus on the big picture.

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut
visit Success Weight: www.successweight.com