Snacking Done Right

Believe it or not, there are many causes that can lead to obesity, but most of them involve overeating. Overeating, in of itself, can be a complex topic because it too can have many underlying factors that very from person to person. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of impulse control, sometimes it’s a symptom of a much larger issue like depression or anxiety. Whatever the case, it’s something that most of us do at some point or another, and it’s rarely a good thing. Some of us eat meals with portions that are too big or too calorie dense, or eat too frequently, but for many of us it’s all about snacking. Here are 3 tips about snacking that can help you keep that weight off and live a healthy lifestyle.

1. You’re probably just thirsty. Did you know that that feeling of hunger you’re getting in between meals might actually be a sign of dehydration? How many glasses of water do you drink a day? It might not be enough. The next time you feel a pang of hunger when you’re waiting for a meal, try downing a glass. You might be surprised how quickly the hunger subsides. 
2. Eat a fruit. Fruits are tried and true and the go-to food for healthy eating.They’re easily portable, and can fill you up in a good way. Make it a policy to keep a few apples or oranges on you and have at it if you can’t wait until lunch
3. Make it don’t buy it. There are all kinds of healthy snacks you can make at home, and they’re almost always going to be better than the convenience store impulse buy of a bag of chips. Try making your own cheese crisps, trail mix, or rice crispy treats. Try a few from here: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/quick-easy/healthy-snack-ideas

When it comes to your health and weight, Dr. Feiz and Associates care. For anyone suffering from severe obesity, a procedure like a sleeve gastrectomy is proven to offer positive results. In the meantime, watch your snacking!

 

 

Forming Healthy Eating Habits is the Key to Weight Loss Success

If you've seen the patient testimonial page on Dr. Feiz's website, it's clear that weight loss surgeries like the sleeve gastrectomy procedure are highly effective ways for obese patients to lose weight. But, simply getting the procedure is by no means a cure-all solution. Weight loss surgery is designed to curb hunger cravings so that it is easier for people to eat less. It is up to them to make sure that they are actually eating less. What's also important is to develop the habit of eating food that is generally healthier than what many patients ate before their surgery.

The time following weight loss surgery is also the best time to commit to a healthy diet and form lifelong healthy eating habits. While there is an old adage that says it takes 21 days of doing something to form a good habit, research conducted at the University of London shows that the average good habit is formed in closer to 66 days. This means that if weight loss surgery patients can commit to eating right for just over two months following their surgery, then eating right will come much more naturally to them across the rest of their life! A healthy lifestyle is closer than you think!

3 Tips for Weight Loss in 2015

Weight loss is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, and for good reason. With such a high percentage of obesity in American, shedding pounds is not just a good for wanting to look better, it’s a great way to improve your health. Unfortunately, keeping resolutions and losing weight are both extremely difficult, and have high rates of failure. Still, here at Dr. Feiz and Associates, we don’t think that should stop you, so here are 3 tips for living a healthy lifestyle in 2015.

1) Start Small. One of the main reasons why New Year’s resolutions fail is that they’re simply too ambitious. While there’s nothing wrong with aiming high, taking a difficult task like weight loss and resolving to simply make it happen is almost impossible. You need to set small goals. Instead of deciding that you’ll lose a certain amount of weight for the year, resolve to lose a few pounds a few months at a time. 

2) Eat better. One of the keys to weight loss is healthy eating, but you shouldn’t expect to change your entire diet overnight. Start small here too. Use a smaller salad plate to eat a meal to control your portion size, or limit yourself to eating out to a certain number a week. Try swapping out at least one snack a day with something health like eating an apple instead of potato chips for example. 

3) Consider all options. Losing weight is difficult for anyone, but for the severely obese it can be nearly impossible to get down to a healthy weight and keep it down. Options like surgical weight loss like the procedures offered by Dr. Feiz and Associates are available to anyone who is eligible and needs the extra support. Don’t give up on your goals for a healthy and productive new year!

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.