The articles will often include mention of the disastrous state before weight loss, the immense changes and efforts made, and the remarkable improvement in every aspect of life – truly inspirational it seems – or not?

There is no doubt that every year 1000s of people turn around their lifestyles by changing their diets and increasing their physical activity levels – not seldom in response to specific events or encounters (e.g. “When my doctor told me I have diabetes, I decided enough is enough!”).

We also know from the National Weight Control Registry and other sources that it is indeed possible for some people to make “permanent” lifestyle changes that will result in long-term weight-loss maintenance.

But how “inspirational” are these stories really? How many people actually read an article in the newspaper about the 35 year old former fast-food junkie, who lost 240 lbs after deciding to take on a 2 hr paper route before work everyday or about the formerly 350 lb 45 year old mother of four, who just participated in her first Iron (Wo)Man competition, and decide to simply emulate these “exemplary” individuals to conquer their own weight problems?

Not too many I would guess.

On the other hand, how many people struggling with excess weight read these stories and recognize, given their own personal situations, the sheer impossibility of making similar changes for themselves. How many readers simply throw up their hands in despair: “if that’s what it’s gonna take – I may as well give up!”

I also wonder just how many overweight people are sick and tired of having these “inspirational” articles rubbed under their noses by “well-meaning” friends and family? “After all if so-and-so decided to give up all white foods and become a marathon runner to solve their weight problem, why can’t you?”

I am sure that there is probably research data on these questions but I’d really like to hear from my own readers: who actually finds these weight-loss success stories inspirational?

I’d certainly love to hear from anyone who as a result of reading such a story was inspired enough to do the same. Let me include in this question anyone who after watching X-Weighted or The Biggest Loser decided to hire their own personal trainer and lose those pounds ‘forever’.

From those readers, who don’t find these stories helpful, I’d also definitely like to hear what you’d rather like to be reading.

About Dr. Sharma:

Dr. Sharma has authored and co-authored more than 250 scientific articles and has lectured widely on the etiology and management of obesity and related cardiovascular disorders. He sends his informative messages through his blog Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes.

For more information on Obesity visit;

Website: http://www.drsharma.ca/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Arya-Sharma/115328778486319

im a gym member and go 3 times a week, doing running and weights

any diet tips with how long they took for you to lose weight

and any exercise tips to lose weight and tone up

many thanks

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The McDougall Maximum Weight-loss Program: 2

Some obese patients find that exercise is difficult. Obesity can cause shortness of breath and can make a person feel very tired. After weight-loss surgery, the doctor will carefully assess the patient to find out when it is best to start exercising. Depending on the type of weight-loss surgery, this can take anywhere from four to six weeks after surgery. After that time, it is important for the patient to find an exercise program that he or she finds easy to stick to and that he or she can work on at his/her own pace. An exercise routine should start out slow and, as the weight comes off, can be gradually increased.

There are several reasons why weight-loss surgery patients should add exercise to their routine. The main reason is to aid in weight loss. A patient who has had weight-loss surgery will already be taking in fewer calories, but exercise improves the end results of the surgery. Using an exercise routine can help a patient increase energy levels and boost metabolism. When one has a good metabolism, he or she can burn calories faster than before.

Another big reason to include exercise every day following weight-loss surgery is that exercise can reduce the need for plastic surgery (to remove excess skin). Many weight-loss surgery patients find that, after losing so much weight in a short period of time, they have excess skin. This can be anywhere on the body–including on the on the buttocks, back of the arms, and in the abdominal area. Plastic surgery can remove excess skin from these areas, but it is only an option after a year following the surgery. With daily exercise, the skin has a better chance of molding to the body gradually. This is one huge benefit of exercising following weight-loss surgery.

When it is time to decide what kind of exercise is best, a patient should consider the type that they will enjoy the most. This will make it easier to stick to the routine. Walking is a good start for most people. Many people stay motivated by carrying a small radio or CD player while working out. Working out with a friend can also increase your motivation and help you stay on track. It is usually recommended that patients begin their exercise routine with a daily walk. This should be done at least five times a week for 20 minutes a day. As the body adjusts to the weight loss and exercise, patients should add other aerobic activities. Some beneficial exercises might include swimming, golfing, biking, and working out on machines at the gym.

Exercise is the key to getting the body that you want after weight-loss surgery–not just in appearance, but in performance as well.

However, if this sort of advertising gets the attention of the people who are overweight then all well and good because it doesn’t take a degree in nutrition to understand that by carrying around extra weight for any length of time can end up taking several years off of your life.

I personally got involved with the weight watchers diet program about 7 years ago. I am a non believer in a lot of these testimonials, however, I was introduced to a female who had lost 209 lbs in 18 months and she looked fabulous. This lady was working a full time job and lecturing for weight watchers evenings and weekends.

I think what impressed me was it was an easy sell because if some person can actually start on a program weighing 354lbs and 18 months later be 145lbs the program must work. Of course there were several bumps in the road on her journey but she hung in there and today she still holding at 145lbs. She made a huge sacrifice to achieve her goal but think about how much easier everyday life is for her today. She can climb the stairs, walk her pooch, and keep up an exercise routine, and that is fabulous.

At that time I was carrying about 15lbs more than I should be and after talking for a couple of hours with this person and seeing her “before photos” backed up by my friend who introduced me to her, I got involved and lost the 15 lbs in 6 weeks. I consider myself a success story here because I laid out my goals and achieved them in the time period that I had stated.

Stories like the one above are plentiful on line and hopefully this will help inspire those of you who are trying to figure out how to get back into the shape you once were. It is now time to Take Action.

Be careful of the fad diets and the diet pills and their gimmicky advertising.

If you watch any of the weight loss commercials on t/v you will see celebrities like Kirstie Alley and Oprah have weight loss stories and when these class of people mention a program they have used and have had success with, it certainly inspires the throngs to give it a try because these type of endorsements are legit.

You must remember that losing weight is not having to be a rocket scientist, its about will power and determination. It is not easy but to achieve anything in life takes time and effort and weight loss fits into these categories. Make a plan and stick to it and one day you may be able to tell us all about your weight loss success story.

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