Media Contact: Toshia Johnson, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterE-mail: [email protected]Tel. 310.423.4062 or 310.423.4767
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LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2001) -- Bill Knapp is shopping a lot lately after losing 28 pounds in four months under the care of Netty Levine, MS, RD, a registered dietitian at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's outpatient Nutrition Counseling Center. According to Knapp, "I'm thrilled about my weight loss, my clothes are too big, I just bought new pants and now I'll have to buy more new clothes because I keep losing weight, and I feel great."
Knapp's physician sent him to Cedars-Sinai's outpatient Nutrition Counseling Center, "I went in for my annual physical and my doctor told me that my blood pressure was too high and unacceptable," says Knapp. Knapp's doctor also told him that he needed to lower his blood pressure or go on medication to control it. Knapp states, "I didn't want to take the medication because there are too many potential side effects, so with Netty's help, I decided to change my eating habits."
"I've been on every diet imaginable and they have all failed me, so I was amazed when my blood pressure dropped to normal after just two weeks of modifying the way I eat," says Knapp. According to Knapp, he's impressed with the fact that Netty did not give him a diet, and how she simply changed his proportions. "I never cook at home and I still go to my favorite restaurants, but now the difference is I know what and how to order the food I eat. I take my plate and divide it into three sections, I fill one-half my plate with fresh fruit and/or steamed vegetables, one-fourth with starch and one-fourth with protein; because of these simple changes, I'm 28 pounds lighter and still losing," he says.
It's no secret that obesity is one of the top health problems facing Americans -- half of us are overweight and a third are obese -- contributing to more than 300,000 deaths each year. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity in this country is on the rise -- despite the fact that tens of millions of Americans are dieting at any given time. In fact, a report from the Institute of Medicine states that we're spending more than $33 million each year on weight reduction products such as diet foods and drinks.
However, according to Levine, the key to successful long-term weight management is in focusing less on "dieting" and more on healthy eating and regular exercise."Most of the popular diets and diet books are for quick results, are not healthy and can do major damage to your body," she says. "If losing weight to fit into a bathing suit is your only goal, your endeavors will most likely disappoint you. The goal should always be to make health, not appearance priority resulting in a healthy lifestyle for a lifetime."
Levine offers a "baker's dozen" healthy lifestyle tips for successful weight management:
1. Always plan before you shop and keep a list of foods to buy on your palm pilot or refrigerator.
2. Skip high calorie beverages such as sodas, juices, smoothies and blended coffee drinks. There are approximately nine packages of sugar and close to 150 calories in one 12-oz. can of soda or juice. Smoothies and coffee drinks are often 250-500 calories, excluding the whipped cream.
3. Fill up on fiber such as fruits and vegetables.
4. When using salad dressing, dilute with plain vinegar or lemon wedges and always order dressing on the side.
5. Have alcohol-free dinners for a month. One glass of wine is about 100 calories. In addition, wine can lower your blood sugar and make you hungry.
6. Fill half your plate with steamed or raw vegetables and the other half with equal parts of protein and starch that is not loaded with fat. Remember to have fruit for dessert.
7. When you're eating at a buffet, you don't have to eat everything, there will always be another buffet. Line your plate with lettuce or spinach without dressing. In terms of salad dressing, again dilute dressing with vinegar or lemon wedges.8. Walk one mile; it will burn 100 calories.
9. Take advantage of the long summer days by walking, running, cycling, swimming and other outdoor activities.
10. Do some gardening, it's a great form of exercise and it allows you to grow fresh vegetables.
11. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
12. Play actively with your children, grandchildren and pets.
13. Establish flexible, short-term, attainable goals
SIDEBAR:
Did You Know?
¥ The Institute of Medicine identifies obesity as more than 25 percent body fat for men and more than 30 percent for women
¥ Unhealthy weight can increase the risk of many deadly diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
¥ The American Dietetic Association research has shown that a five to 10 percent decrease in body weight can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
¥ Controlling weight is a task for the health care team as a whole -- changes in behavior require support from physicians, therapist and dietitians.
According to Levine, "Successful weight loss and weight management are determined by a multitude of circumstances, including finding a program to suit your lifestyle, proper nutrients and exercise and the ability to live with the program once the weight comes off."
Cedars-Sinai offers a variety of classes and programs designed to meet the needs of individuals of all ages as they seek to improve and maintain their health. These programs are led by experienced and registered dietitians, all of whom are members of the American Dietetic Association.
Cedars-Sinai also offers special programs and classes for people with medical problems who need a special diet. Sessions are devised to assist in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, cholesterol control, diabetes, eating disorders, food allergies, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, malnutrition, osteoporosis, pediatrics, pregnancy, special meals for athletes, weight loss and weight gain.
For more information on any of the dietary programs at Cedars-Sinai, please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 or 1-800-233-2771.
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For media information and to arrange an interview, please contact Toshia Johnson via e-mail at [email protected] or call 310-423-4062 or 310-423-4767.
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