Enjoy Your Holidays

People who are concerned about their weight, particularly those dealing with severe obesity, sometimes make the mistake of letting their legitimate concern with healthy eating get in the way of their holiday celebrations. That's not to say we don't understand the basic issue facing people who need to make significant changes in their dietary habits.

So much of our concept of holidays and celebrations is tied up with food (and beverages), it's easy to see how those of us who need to be most mindful about consuming them might be tempted to try their best to ignore the holidays. However, depriving yourself of the fun and companionship involved in celebrating a holiday is not our idea of a healthy lifestyle. The trick, of course, is to find a way to focus on the aspects of holiday celebrations that don't involve high calorie foods and beverages...and  the good news is that love, friendship, and family have zero calories!

Of course, if you've recently embarked on the path towards surgical weightloss, or are considering doing so, it's possible you could benefit from a little extra support around holiday time. At Dr. Feiz and Associates, we're here to provide that support to our patients old and new. After all, just because it's holiday time doesn't mean you can give a weight loss doctor a call!

 

Avoiding Overeating to Win Thanksgiving

That time of the year is upon us, and for people dealing with severe obesity, it’s a time of temptation. There’s nothing quite like a Thanksgiving Day feast, but the problem with the holidays is that it’s a time of encouraged overindulgence. As families across the nation loosen their belts, many of us who are attempting to embrace healthy eating struggle through the holiday season. As an experienced bariatric surgery center, here at Dr. Feiz & Associates we understand how trying a day like Thanksgiving can be, and we’re here to help with a few quick tips you can use to stay focused, and avoid overeating. 

In terms of temptation, one of the most difficult aspects of Thanksgiving is the sheer amount of food that we’re exposed to. Between mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and of course that huge turkey centerpiece, there are a lot of ways to lose discipline. Portion control is one of the best methods to keep your diet. There’ll be a lot of food, and you should go ahead and try everything. Just don’t take that much of each. Grab a plate, and take a little of a lot. By serving yourself such a large variety of food, it’ll feel like you’re eating more than you actually are. 

There are a few tricks you can try that could help if you think your appetite might get the better of you. Because the sensation of hunger is very often actually a sign of dehydration, try drinking a glass of water right before the meal. Afterwards, you might realize you’re not as hungry as you thought. Also, use a smaller plate, like a salad plate, to serve yourself which will help you keep your portions under control. Remember, now is always the best time to begin a weight loss journey. Dr. Michael Feiz can help you along the way.

There's So Much to Do!

Goodness knows, we're just as busy as everyone else at Dr. Feiz & Associates. We understand that sometimes life can keep throwing you so many curve-balls it might seem as if taking a break for even the most important kinds of health treatments are next to impossible. Indeed, for people who never seem to have the time to even cook for themselves -- often an important component of healthy eating, taking the time to get a potentially life-saving weight loss procedure might seem next to impossible.


Yes, time is a limited commodity, but that works in more than one way. If we fail to invest time in our health now, we may pay a steep price in terms of the time we have to enjoy life later on. We're not only talking about lifespans being shortened by the many health risks of severe obesity, we're talking about quality of life issues. You might survive a stroke, for example. However, even under the best circumstances, a strokes means losing countless hours of your life in recovery and rehabiliatation...a process that may now always be complete.

So, yes, we're all busy but taking advantage of the skills of a top bariatric surgeon like Dr. Michael Feiz is the kind of investment that can reap enormous rewards later on. There might be too many things to do, but sometimes you have to do for yourself.

Staying Ahead of the Mental Game

Many who start the weight loss journey think all they have to focus on is eating less, or counting calories, or hopping on the treadmill a few times a week. However, bariatric surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz recommends his patients learn not just about healthy eating and exercise, but that they also study how to make positive changes in their lives. Any patient of Dr. Feiz' must pass a psychological exam before they have weight loss surgery in Los Angeles at his practice, as well as have regular counseling. Why? Because often, food is a vice for overweight or obese individuals.

To learn how to break this vice, Dr. Feiz & Associates strongly urge overweight individuals to study how to make behavioral changes in order to lose weight effectively, and keep it off for good. Positive affirmations every day are a good start, and stopping the excuses to put off weight loss. Dr. Feiz also recommends that weight loss patients continue counseling once they reach their goal weight; as many people find it easier to lose weight than to maintain a healthy weight.

If you're interested in learning more about your weight loss options, or if you're considering bariatric surgery, don't hesitate to call Dr. Feiz & Associates in Los Angeles. Call 310-855-8058 today to reach Dr. Feiz' Beverly Hills weight loss center, and ask about FREE consultations!