When you’ve spent years struggling with being overweight or obese, it may be hard to imagine life without the associated health complications or the ongoing frustration of not being able to lose weight. At the same time, your desire to live long and live well is strong. You may just need some help in discovering the path to achieving your goals, and how to put one foot in front of the other in a way that makes sense for you and your lifestyle.
Our new easy-to-navigate, web-based Weight Loss Health Guide is designed to help you to learn more about weight loss surgery options and start your personal journey to success. Here you can participate in free, confidential online assessments about your weight status, eating and exercise behaviors. There is also a weight loss surgery assessment tool that will provide you with a personalized report detailing the weight loss options that may be right for you.
In addition, you can access our online weight loss library to help you better understand the biology of weight loss, learn more about weight-loss procedures, determine if you're a good candidate for weight loss surgery and read about patients who've had weight loss surgery. You’ll even find tips for healthy grocery shopping. We strongly believe that helping you make informed decisions and have realistic expectations are key factors to achieving weight loss goals.
Obesity is a disease that affects more than 72 million people in the United States.. Today, we know genetics, eating habits, emotions, and our lifestyle can lead to obesity. People who are overweight know that losing weight is a difficult process – while many succeed at it, many more have tried and failed. People with obesity are at risk for developing health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and higher risks for cancer.
For those with more severe obesity, weight loss surgery offers an opportunity for successful weight loss and improved health status.
Weight loss surgery requires a serious commitment and involves a great deal of preparation and education before and after the surgery to ensure that patients are able to gradually lose weight and remain healthy. Is weight loss surgery right for you? Which procedure should you consider? What should you expect before and after surgery? How do you choose the right physicians and hospitals?
It is hard to begin a weight loss program on your own, but you don’t have to. We can connect you with the right health care professional to answer all of your questions, as well as introduce you to our online community of patients with whom you can share stories and gain support. We are committed in helping you achieve your weight loss goals in a way that can be sustained for the rest of your life.
We welcome you to start your journey to your future by visiting our Weight Loss Health Guide at www.smmhc.com/bariatrics.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Home temperature, sleep loss tied to obesity
From Reuters Health News...
Home temperature, sleep loss tied to obesity
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Could we all help rein in the obesity epidemic by turning down our thermostats this winter? Maybe or maybe not -- but a new study suggests that environmental factors ranging from diet, to sleep to home temperature are related to the risk of becoming obese.
Junk food and physical inactivity usually catch most of the blame for the obesity problem weighing down much of the world.
But some recent research has been looking at the roles of the several other features of modern life -- like sleep deprivation and indoor climate control.
Read the complete article. +
Home temperature, sleep loss tied to obesity
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Could we all help rein in the obesity epidemic by turning down our thermostats this winter? Maybe or maybe not -- but a new study suggests that environmental factors ranging from diet, to sleep to home temperature are related to the risk of becoming obese.
Junk food and physical inactivity usually catch most of the blame for the obesity problem weighing down much of the world.
But some recent research has been looking at the roles of the several other features of modern life -- like sleep deprivation and indoor climate control.
Read the complete article. +
Monday, February 7, 2011
"I Promise to be Healthy...Cross My Heart!"
February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is our nation’s number one killer. The American Heart Association states that by exercising as little as 30 minutes a day, five to seven days a week, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, regulate blood glucose, reduce cholesterol levels, and reduce body weight.
So you may be asking yourself, What can I do?” The answer is simple: Just do something more each day. The staff at Omni 41 Health & Fitness Connection encourages you to take up:
Want to learn more about overall heart health? Check out our Online Heart Center +
So you may be asking yourself, What can I do?” The answer is simple: Just do something more each day. The staff at Omni 41 Health & Fitness Connection encourages you to take up:
- Cardio Exercises
- Strength Training
- Exercise Classes
- Swimming
- Pilates
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Racquetball
- Dancing
Want to learn more about overall heart health? Check out our Online Heart Center +
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Eating a Heart Healthy Diet
By Lori Granich, RD, Clinical Dietitian at the Midwest Bariatric Institute
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Americans. Today’s busy lifestyles can be hard on the heart. The combination of stress, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle can put you at risk for heart disease. February is American Heart Month and what better way to celebrate then by changing your lifestyle today.
Here are some of the steps you can take to gain control over the risks for heart disease and improve your heart health.
Decrease total fat intake, especially saturated and trans fat
Saturated fats are mainly animal fats. They tend to increase blood cholesterol. They are found in meat, seafood, whole-milk dairy products (cheese, milk, and ice cream), poultry skin, and egg yolks. Easy ways to decrease saturated fat in your diet are to choose leaner cuts of meat and trim as much visible fat as possible before cooking. Bake, broil, or grill meats instead of frying and switch to reduced fat or fat free milk and cheeses. Trans fat also can raise cholesterol levels. These fats are present in most fast foods, snack items and baked goods such as French fries, pastries, chips and crackers. To know if a food has trans fat, look for the phrase “partially hydrogenated oil” in the ingredient list.
Shake the salt habit
A high salt intake can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day (about a teaspoon). Start off by not adding salt to food at the table. Avoid food where large amounts of salt have been added. This includes frozen dinners, lunch meats, pickles, potato chips, processed cheese, and most canned products such as soup, vegetables, and pasta sauces. Flavoring foods with spices and herbs is a great way to cut back on sodium when cooking without sacrificing taste. For example, use chili peppers, cilantro, or garlic for hot or spicy foods. Remember to always check your ingredients because spices such as garlic salt or onion salt still contain sodium.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contribute a large portion of vitamins and minerals to your diet, which are important for staying healthy and preventing disease. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and high in fiber and other nutrients that are important for weight management and overall health in general. No one fruit or vegetable is the best. The healthiest diet consists of a wide variety of different fruits and vegetables to get the best mix of health promoting nutrients.
Select whole grains
Dietary fiber from whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. There are many quick and easy ways to boost the amount of whole grains you eat. Try switching over from white to whole-wheat bread or start your day off with some oatmeal or whole grain breakfast cereal. Make sure it’s labeled as 100% whole wheat or that whole grain is the main ingredient listed.
Get Moving!
Regular physical activity reduces your risk of heart disease and stoke. If you have been inactive or have medical problems, make sure you check with your doctor before starting an exercise regime. Try to accumulate 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. Remember that there are plenty of ways to add steps to your everyday routine. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk/bike instead of riding in the car when doing errands.
For more information on improving your heart health, visit our Online Heart Center.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Americans. Today’s busy lifestyles can be hard on the heart. The combination of stress, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle can put you at risk for heart disease. February is American Heart Month and what better way to celebrate then by changing your lifestyle today.
Here are some of the steps you can take to gain control over the risks for heart disease and improve your heart health.
Decrease total fat intake, especially saturated and trans fat
Saturated fats are mainly animal fats. They tend to increase blood cholesterol. They are found in meat, seafood, whole-milk dairy products (cheese, milk, and ice cream), poultry skin, and egg yolks. Easy ways to decrease saturated fat in your diet are to choose leaner cuts of meat and trim as much visible fat as possible before cooking. Bake, broil, or grill meats instead of frying and switch to reduced fat or fat free milk and cheeses. Trans fat also can raise cholesterol levels. These fats are present in most fast foods, snack items and baked goods such as French fries, pastries, chips and crackers. To know if a food has trans fat, look for the phrase “partially hydrogenated oil” in the ingredient list.
Shake the salt habit
A high salt intake can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day (about a teaspoon). Start off by not adding salt to food at the table. Avoid food where large amounts of salt have been added. This includes frozen dinners, lunch meats, pickles, potato chips, processed cheese, and most canned products such as soup, vegetables, and pasta sauces. Flavoring foods with spices and herbs is a great way to cut back on sodium when cooking without sacrificing taste. For example, use chili peppers, cilantro, or garlic for hot or spicy foods. Remember to always check your ingredients because spices such as garlic salt or onion salt still contain sodium.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contribute a large portion of vitamins and minerals to your diet, which are important for staying healthy and preventing disease. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and high in fiber and other nutrients that are important for weight management and overall health in general. No one fruit or vegetable is the best. The healthiest diet consists of a wide variety of different fruits and vegetables to get the best mix of health promoting nutrients.
Select whole grains
Dietary fiber from whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. There are many quick and easy ways to boost the amount of whole grains you eat. Try switching over from white to whole-wheat bread or start your day off with some oatmeal or whole grain breakfast cereal. Make sure it’s labeled as 100% whole wheat or that whole grain is the main ingredient listed.
Get Moving!
Regular physical activity reduces your risk of heart disease and stoke. If you have been inactive or have medical problems, make sure you check with your doctor before starting an exercise regime. Try to accumulate 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. Remember that there are plenty of ways to add steps to your everyday routine. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk/bike instead of riding in the car when doing errands.
For more information on improving your heart health, visit our Online Heart Center.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Feb. 1 - Bariatric Support Group Cancelled Due to Weather
The Bariatric Support Group is cancelled tonight due to the anticipated weather conditions. The next support group will be on March 1 at 6 PM.
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