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 A new study suggests that hormones are to blame in the battle to maintain weight loss success.
But no fear, we have some tips for conquering hunger!
Our bodies are similar to cars in that they have a gauge that tells us when we need to refuel or take in calories (the body’s fuel source derived from the foods we eat.) This gauge is run by hormones including insulin, leptin and ghrelin. Together they tell us when and how much to eat.
In the study, volunteers were placed on a strict diet of 500 to 550 calories per day, which led to the loss of 10 percent of their body weight. One year later, even with counseling and written advice on how to maintain their weight loss, the participants had regained an average of 12 pounds.
So, what happened to hormone levels during this time?
- As participants lost weight, their hormone levels began to change in a direction that boosts hunger.
- Leptin -- which regulates metabolism and suppresses the appetite -- dropped by two-thirds in participants.
- Ghrelin -- which stimulates hunger -- increased.
- One year after completing the diet, these levels of hormones remained changed.
- With a change in hormone levels, the volunteers had a stronger appetite one year after the diet than they did before starting.
The study also found that the metabolic rate in dieters remained low when measured one year later. With a low metabolic rate, the body holds onto calories rather than burning them, making it even harder to maintain weight.
With these results, it could be easy to get discouraged. But, there is good news! Hunger-busting habits can become part of your new lifestyle, especially with our Easy Start Weight Loss Program.
Here are some tips on how to conquer hunger while working to reach or maintain your weight goals:
- Eat frequently. Make sure you are eating healthy snacks between meals or medical food shakes if using these as meal replacements.
- Beware of emotional eating. Identify non-food activities to keep your mind off of food.
- Take a brisk walk instead of heading to the kitchen. Three to five minutes of vigorous activity will charge you up and decrease feelings of hunger.
At Draelos Metabolic Center, our weight loss specialists have a wealth of expertise that can help you reach your health and weight loss goals . If hunger remains a challenge to your weight loss success or if you are looking for more weight loss tips, call or visit our location.
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 A new calendar is up and as you look at it, you think, “I'm going to start this New Year right!” You begin to list all the things you are going to do: lose weight, eat better, exercise more. This is the year you will take that extra weight off! You're ready to start on the path to better health. But before you take off sprinting down that road, start with a slow walk. Let these tips guide you to a successful New Year’s Resolution:
Before You Begin
Before you begin an exercise program or diet, get a medical evaluation. The medical evaluation at Draelos Metabolic Center can help ensure that you are on the right track to better health. The experts at Draelos Metabolic Clinic also can help provide customized weight loss programs that fit your needs.
Move Your Body
Everyone knows that for better health, it is good to exercise. Going into an exercise program full-throttle, five days a week may not be the best way to begin. Depending on where you are starting from, you may want to work out twice a week and move up from there or get 30 minutes of walking in daily.
Fuel Your Body
Eating healthy can be a challenge. Make small changes to what you currently eat by eliminating high-fat foods or opting for healthier snacks. If you need structure, Draelos Metabolic Center offers customized weight loss programs. Easy Start, the most popular weight loss program at Draelos Metabolic Center, is a great way to jump start your New Year’s Resolution. Easy Start provides optimal nutrition using medical foods in conjunction with a very low calorie diet plan that aids in fat loss while maintaining your lean muscle mass.
Knowledge is Power
Start a food intake and exercise log. Food and exercise logs are an easy way to see where you are starting from and make sure you are on track. You can keep a log with pen and paper, online, or with a smart phone application. For exercise, SenseWear at Draelos Metabolic Clinic is a great tool that measures how many calories you burn while active.
Ease onto the path to better health and you're sure to follow it. Not only for the New Year, but for the rest of your life.
To schedule an evaluation, come by or call our Oklahoma City Weight Loss office. |
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Teens may think they know it all, but a new study shows they underestimate the number of calories found in fast food meals.
When Harvard Medical School researchers surveyed diners ages 11 to 20 outside of fast food restaurants, 80 percent underestimated the caloric content of their meal. In fact, teens in the study estimated their meal’s calorie content at 464 calories when the actual number was 746 calories. And 30 percent were off by at least 500 calories!
Only 14 percent of those surveyed indicated they had noticed any nutritional information in the restaurant, and just 3 percent saw and used the information when ordering.
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 The holiday season is near and with it gatherings of friends, family and food.
But the gift of togetherness doesn’t have to come with an addition to your hips and thighs.
A little planning goes a long way to stay on track at holiday gatherings, where meals are likely loaded with fat, sugar and salt.
Here are some great weight loss tips that can help:
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It's time for your daily walk around the neighborhood or bike through the park. It’s over 100 degrees outside and the second you open the door, you are overwhelmed by the extreme heat. Both your body and your mind are telling you to turn back to the comfort of the air conditioning.
The extreme Oklahoma heat can be a huge barrier to continuing a normal exercise routine. This is especially true for people who do not have access to a gym or any type of special equipment at home.
There are ways to avoid the heat and still stay fit. Here are some activities you can do at home to get you moving and help keep your fitness goals on track:
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- Wii Fit offers various types of exercise routines for all levels. Games include everything from dancing to yoga to running races. There's something for everyone and enough activities to let you try something new every day. Best of all, it's fun! Pick any of these work outs to get your heart pumping while staying cool in the comfort of your own living room.
- Netflix members have instant access to hundreds of workout videos in the fitness genre. Video instruction ranges from pilates to cardio kickboxing and much more. If you’re crunched for time, an entire workout series offers short 10 minute routines that can be done individually or in succession to create one great workout. So the next time you are browsing for a new movie on your Netflix, add some exercise videos to your queue. It's a fast and affordable way to stay fit while beating the heat
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Health Tips
