|
"One brownie never made anyone fat." "If one
diet ever worked, there'd never be need for another."
"It's not the food, it's the feelings."
More than 25 years ago, Green Mountain founder Thelma J.
Wayler, MS, RD, welcomed participants with these words. And
every woman in the room nodded in agreement. The words ring
as true today as they did then. Diets without changes in emotional/attitudinal
behaviors and lifestyle patterns offer little chance of long-term
success.
The introduction of new obesity drugs (e.g., Redux) that can
depress appetites in some people present another option for
weight loss. But can drug therapy replace the need for lifestyle
and emotional/behavioral changes that truly support long-term
health and well-being?
While the debate continues as to whether these drugs are
good or bad, safe or not, or will work over time, it's essential
that we don't lose sight of everything we've learned about
successful health and weight management. In other words, the
Big Picture.
Whether it's human nature or simple the seductiveness of
taking a "magic pill," having extra body fat vanish
without effort is extremely appealing. Unfortunately, total
reliance on drugs is short-sighted and may undermine long-term
success. While drugs may help suppress appetite, we all know
that we overeat and binge for many other reasons, which often
have nothing to do with being physically hungry. While the
drugs might make some of us physiologically satisfied, they
can't satisfy psychologically. Diets don't, and I don't believe
drugs can either.
Lifestyle change is and will always be an essential part
of the prescription for long-term weight management. If you
read the literature that accompanies obesity drugs, even the
pharmaceutical companies state unequivocally that you need
to change your eating, exercise and stress management and
emotional behaviors to be successful.
For some, appetite-suppressing drugs may be the difference
between getting started and not starting at all. But the key
word here is "starting." The pill is only a beginning.
To continue on a lifelong path of good health, lifestyle change
is essential. Then, if the drugs work, not only are you going
to weigh less, but you'll have a host of strategies supporting
this newfound weight. On the other hand, if the medications
don't work, you'll still have the lifestyle strategies as
a backup to ensure that the efforts you've made are not wasted.
Green Mountain has long promoted the idea that there is no
one formula for success, nor is there a right or wrong way.
We have also advocated that people need choices - for building
personalized approaches to ensure that changes are reasonable
and can fit into their busy lives. So, if you and your health
care provider have chosen one of these drugs, maximize your
success by empowering yourself with the skills, knowledge
and understanding it takes to create the emotional/attitudinal
and lifestyle changes that will lead to a lifetime of health,
positive body image, and confidence.
|
