1. Losing Weight Can Be Stimulating
People wrestling with the decision about gastric bypass surgery face a real dilemma. They are more than a little overweight. In fact, to qualify for the surgery, you must be at least 100 pounds over your ideal weight. The surgery is also quite risky. A new implant currently in clinical trials may soon offer an alternative. An "implantable gastric device" delivers electrical stimulation to the stomach. The small electrical charges trick the brain into feeling full and reduce the appetite. The device is implanted in a surgery using several small openings (a laparoscopic procedure), which is less invasive than traditional surgery.
2. Consult a Food Expert
There are people out there who love food so much they studied it in college. Nutritionists are experts in understanding the ins and outs of food. They know which foods we must eat to have energy, to be mentally alert and, yes--to lose weight. Before committing to gastric bypass surgery, consider meeting with a nutritionist. She'll be able to help you set up an eating program that guarantees you get enough vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients to keep you healthy. She'll even be able to help you work in that chocolate cake every now and then. But, her plan will also help you begin to lose weight on a consistent basis.
3. Consult a Mind Expert
Even though you think the problem is your waistline, maybe "it's all in your head." Psychological problems can cause people to overeat and make diets ineffective. Eating disorders may also play a role. For example, an eating disorder known as Binge Eating Disorder can make people gorge on huge amounts of food in a very short period, even when they're not really hungry. Counseling, especially with someone who specializes in obesity and eating disorders, might be the breakthrough you need.
4. Take 12 Steps
Support from others who are going through the same thing can be powerful. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) was established to provide just that support. Based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, OA's first step states, "We admitted we were powerless over food--that our lives had become unmanageable." Meetings are usually held several times each week and members join together to help each other overcome their compulsive eating habits. Because people who are obese often withdraw from social contact, the OA group can be a very effective resource.
5. Accept It and Move On
Sometimes the problems we face aren't as overwhelming as they seem. Maybe a few small adjustments, like one less doughnut or walking a couple blocks, really will make a difference. That's certainly the philosophy of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. Founded in 1969, this group promotes the idea that obese people should accept themselves and feel free to live fulfilled lives just as they are. They provide educational materials on living positively with obesity, and promote their philosophy through the print and broadcast media.
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