Weight loss - simple or complex?

Most people believe "energy in - energy out" is the only principle that needs to be applied in weight gain and loss.  But there are a wide variety of other influences that make it a far less simple process.  

Genetics play a role in determining whether you have a predisposition to weight gain, but this is not a life sentence.  Depression and anxiety are often linked to weight gain.  Is this due to (a)  a change in eating behaviour or (b) a chemical process in the body?  I am not qualified to say, but I would guess the answer is (c) all of the above.

Eating behaviour is closely linked to weight gain.  By using food as a means of dealing with emotions, stressors, mood and thoughts/feelings, weight keep increasing, leading to health issues and negative body image, even self-loathing and guilt.  And why do we eat when we're happy, sad, stressed, tired, bored, ____________ (fill in the blank)?  Because it works!  (In fact, it is thought that 75% of overeating is emotional in nature.) But....and there's a big but, it is short term gain, for long term pain.  The short term gain is some sense of soothing or being able to block out the problem.  The long term pain is the guilt and shame, weight gain and a negative impact on health.  

The development of strong coping skills is a predictor of lasting weight loss.  Active participation in a weight management program can quickly reduce the negative mood contributors to excess weight.  In a study done in Canada, both men and women showed significant improvements in episodes of overeating, response to physical stress, feelings of depression and perfectionist behaviours after five weeks.  And not a diet in sight!

What does this mean?  Simple. Focus on the "why" of eating, to help you manage the "what".  

(some information in this blog adapted from www.nine.msn.com.au/dietandnutrition  article "Your Mood and Weight Loss".  Not a bad site, if you ignore the diets and meal replacement ads.)

Gastric Banding - yes or no? Maybe......

There's  no doubt that gastric banding can save lives.  When people are morbidly obese (or beyond) and have medical conditions that can be life threatening, urgent action is required.  But it is not a "get out of jail free" procedure.  Conditions such as diabetes may improve significantly, and arthritis can be stopped in its tracks.  When you're not carrying that extra 60, 100kg or more your knees will certainly be a lot happier.  But if the emotional issues are not dealt with, a person can still use food to control mood - they just need to be a little more clever about it.

Some people will continue to do battle with their emotions and stress responses but no longer be able to soothe them with food.  What happens then?  They may not be able to binge on Big Macs anymore but there's still ice cream, chocolate, milk shakes, Baileys and where there's a will, there's a way.

What's my point?  Gastric banding is not the easy way out.  Check out this article about failure to lose weight after gastric banding  http://www.brighthub.com/science/medical/articles/66523.aspx Isn't it sad that this can be seen by obese individuals as failing at their last resort.  Giving up could be a death sentence.  However, adequate long-term support to change the "why" of eating is a vital component to lifelong weight change.  Add this component to the mix and whether you have a gastric band or not, the prospect of success is so much greater.

This is the article that prompted my blog today.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/199162.php

And this is the blog of someone who had gastric banding. http://wlsgastricbanding.blogspot.com  She is not a very happy bunny, and appears to have unrealistic goals (BMI of 18.5 is her gold standard) and panics and loathes herself every time she puts on a pound.  Perhaps on the healthy, well adjusted, well supported people should have a lapband - but they can probably improve their weight and health without one.  Oh the paradox!

Ladies and Gentlemen,  Welcome to the new Eat, THINK and Be Merry ("ETBM") blog.  This is the first blog I've ever created.  And I hadn't even explored blogs until this year.  But I really wanted a way of connecting with friends, clients and the general public to pass on useful information about dieting (i.e. don't do it), emotional eating, stress and eating, obesity and overweight.  Each day I learn something new or find a new tip, hint or strategy that looks like it could be valuable.  I rip articles out of magazines, bookmark website addresses and file stuff away, only to have it not see the light of day ever again.  This blog is a way for me to share that information.  There will also be more useful stuff added to my websites www.christinaderbyshire.com.au and www.eatTHINKandbemerry.com.au from time to time.  But this blog will be the place where my storehouse of info becomes available and my musings and comments about all sorts of things will be posted.  Things like the latest diet fad (AARGH), insights from clients, success stories and so on.  I welcome comments and look forward to connecting with you all.