Monday, December 27, 2010

Listen Up, Ladies! - Food and a Woman's Health & Weight - Next Event is January 15

“The Effects of Food on a Woman's Health and Weight”

Dr. Kidanu Birhanu, a board certified internist with a special interest in weight management, will discuss the effects that different types of foods have on a woman's health and weight. Dr. Birhanu also is the medical director of the medical weight management program at the Midwest Bariatric Institute at Saint Margaret Mercy. Women of all ages are invited to participate in this free seminar.

Saturday, January 15, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saint Margaret Mercy – Dyer Campus
24 Joliet St.
Dyer, Indiana


Doors open at 9 a.m. Educational presentation at 10 a.m.

For more information or to register, please call 800-931-3322.

The New Year's Diet - Starting Out and Sticking to It

By Lori Granich, RD, Clinical Dietitian at the Midwest Bariatric Institute

It’s that time of year again. A new year signifies a new beginning. This is when we typically reflect on our past and how we can improve upon it during the year to come. Making a New Year's resolution can be a make or break situation. Only a few percentage of people are able to stick to it till the end. So if your goal is to lose weight, here are simple suggestions to help you stick to your resolution this year:

Make it real.
Picking a resolution that is unrealistic is only setting you up for failure and disappointment. If you have a big goal in mind, divide it up into smaller, more attainable goals that could lead you to it. For example, if you want to lose 20 lbs, aim for 1 - 2 lbs a week until your goal is reached.

Don’t take on too much.
Don’t try to revamp your entire life. This will only burn you out. Instead, concentrate on a few goals and the steps you’ll need to take to achieve them.

Make a plan and write it down.
Writing down your weight loss plan will help keep you focused and can be very motivating! Anytime you have a “slip up,” look back and get inspired by all the progress you have made. Reviewing your positive steps will also make it harder to go back to your old habits.

Make your goals known.
Telling friends and family members about your goals means that people will be holding you accountable and supporting you along the way. It helps to have someone in your corner. Your goals will also seem more real if you talk about them, rather than keeping them to yourself.

Cut yourself some slack.
Nobody is perfect! You're going to experience some setbacks along the way. Don't let one or two food slips make you give up. Think of setbacks as opportunities for growth. Try to identify the cause. Was it who you were with? How you were feeling? This way, you can plan ahead for future events where you may be presented with a similar hurdle.

Set up a reward system.
If you've reached a mini-goal or you have stuck with your resolution for a month, treat yourself to something special. But, try not to use food as a reward. Instead, treat yourself to something non-food related like a massage or new workout gear.



For more information about weight loss management, including upcoming seminars and support groups, visit the Midwest Bariatric Institute online at smmhc.com/bariatrics.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Video: Medications & Weight Loss

Dr. Kidanu Birhanu, board certified in Internal Medicine, speaks about how medications can affect weight loss and weight gain.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Weight loss seminars offered in Crown Point, Dyer and Michigan City

If you struggle with excess weight and are looking for surgical assistance through the use of gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or adjustable laparoscopic band procedures, learn more with our free surgical weight loss seminars. Choose a seminar at a location near you!

Sunday, January 23, 2011 - 1 p.m.

at Saint Margaret Mercy - Dyer Campus
Reginald Boardroom
24 Joliet St. (US Route 30), Dyer

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2011 - 6 p.m.
at Saint Anthony Medical Center
Marian Edcuation Center, Room B
1201 South Main St., Crown Point

Sunday, January 9, 2011 - 1 p.m.
at Saint Anthony Memorial
St. Francis Hall
301 West Homer St., Michigan City

To register, call the Midwest Bariatric Institute at Saint Margaret Mercy at (219) 852-2518.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Study confirms what a healthy weight really is

From Reuters Health News ...

Study confirms what a healthy weight really is

By Maggie Fox

WASHINGTON (Reuters Life!) - What is the healthiest weight to be? People hoping for a little jiggle room may be disappointed -- it is the weight already identified by public health experts using body mass index or BMI.

Read the complete article >>