How do you measure-up?

Hello Everyone.

Spring is a season where we all become more active and make better choices in eating. This is because of the nice weather and the variety of foods that grow with warmer temperatures, rain, and sunshine. As a result we all lose weight. But what I want you to know is it's not about your weight...it's about your waist-size. That's frightening news for a lot of apple-shaped men and women, who carry excess weight around their waists.

The key to achieving the best body for you has everything to do with your waist-line. Large hips or thighs may cost you a few dates, but that a large waistline may cost you your life. If your waist is larger than 35 inches, an organ called the omentum gets affected. Frighteningly, The larger your waist size, the more years you may be taking off of your life. The rule of thumb for the "ideal" waist size is at least 1/2 of your height in inches. So, if you're 5'5", this is 65 inches, so the ideal waist size is 32 1/2 inches or smaller.

The omentum pumps chemicals into your body and is connected  to your stomach. When you see it outside the body, the omentum looks much like chicken fat. It is thin and see through much like a pair of panty hose. But for someone who is overweight, even by as much as 30 pounds, the omentum is thick, resembling pie dough. The omentum is supposed to have a little fat on it but not a lot. A fatty omentum damages your liver and other vital organs which leads to disease of the heart, diabetes, and increases your stroke risk.

So what can you do if your waist is larger than the recommended inches?

Here are four things that are crucial to overall weight loss success:

1.             Know your numbers (weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and cholesterol)

2.             Trash the bad habits

3.              Eat healthy foods

4.    Exercise for 30 minutes a day  

Five forbidden foods:

1. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils

2. Sugar

3. High fructose corn syrup

4. Enriched flour

5. Bleached flour

Shop smart:

1. Buy foods with less than 4 grams each saturated fat and sugar.

2. Stock up on fruits and veggies.

3. Avoid fat-free foods that are high in sugar.

4. Opt for oil and vinegar instead of salad dressing.

5. Avoid artificial ingredients.

Curb your cravings:

1. Keep apples, carrots and nuts on hand for an emergency crunch.

2. A glass of vegetable juice can take the edge off hunger.

3. Know what you really want. Water, sex, or sleep could be all you need.

4. Adding spices to your food can burn fat and help you feel satisfied.  

Be well,

Dr. M