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Common Questions:
1. What is a reasonable weight loss goal?
2. How long will I have to stay on a limited calorie and
low carbohydrate diet?
3. What are the side effects of low carbohydrate diets?
4. Is it safe for me?
5. Will the pounds come right back if I stop?
6. I am not hungry, but sometimes I feel nauseated, is this normal?
7. I am having constipation with the diet.
8. I dine out a lot, what is a safe thing to order on a menu?
9. How much exercise per week do I need to do in order to lose the
maximum amount of weight?
10. What precautions can I take to keep skin from hanging
as I lose weight?
11. Help! What happened to my breasts?
12. Is it common to have a dry mouth and bad breath on this diet?
13. What do the shots do? Are they safe?
14. Is the diet pill the same one that was taken off the market a few
years ago (FEN-PHEN)?
15. I’ve hit a plateau and have stopped losing weight, what can I do?
16. Is there anything I can do to make my face tighter while losing weight?
17. With this diet what is a reasonable amountof time to lose 30 pounds?
18. Are there any shakes or bars available with low carbohydrates
to keep on hand in case it is difficult to eat within a 3 hour period? .................................................................................................................. 1. What is a reasonable weight loss goal? Dr. Blake will work with you to set a goal that is both attainable
and healthy. In general we are more concerned about the fat mass
and fat percentage than actual weight and BMI. Losing 10 pounds
of fat is far better than losing 10 pounds of water. top 2. How long will I have to stay on a limited calorie
and low carbohydrate diet? Everyone is different. Each program is tailored to each individual.
However, the first three days are the most intense. After that the
nutritional values will be significantly adjusted to ensure a safe and
effective weight loss; more importantly, fat loss. top 3. What are the side effects of low carbohydrate diets? An increase in the level of ketones in the body results in a larger than
normal excretion of sodium and water loss. During ketosis, many
people tend to feel sluggish and tired and will experience low levels
of energy. Other, less severe side effects include constipation, gas,
and excess protein in the body top 4. Is it safe for me? Low carbohydrate diets not only help in weight loss, but also in
lowering triglycerides and improving HDL: total cholesterol ratio.
Due to the low glycemic index, there is also a significant
improvement in glucose management in diabetics top 5. Will the pounds come right back if I stop? This program is not just a diet. It is a lifestyle change. There is no
magic wand. Our purpose is to educate and support a healthy
lifestyle so that when you reach your goal, you are able to maintain
your weight on your own. If you go back to old habits you will
regain weight. top 6. I am not hungry, but sometimes I feel nauseated, is this normal? Nausea or upset stomach is one side effect of vitamins. Usually
this is relieved by taking medication and multi-vitamins after eating.
Occasionally people do not tolerate certain medications and need to
be taken off or switched to a different medication if needed. top 7. I am having constipation with the diet.
Is there something safe I can take? Constipation is one side effect of a low carbohydrate diet. It is
important that you eat a high amount of fiber (e.g. broccoli, spinach).
It is also very important to drink plenty of water. Exercise will also
increase your bowel activity. If constipation persists, there are
alternatives such as “The Perfect Food” and Colace which can be taken
after discussing this with your doctor. top 8. I dine out a lot, what is a safe thing to order on a menu? Dining out is tough because restaurants use lots of butter, oil and
salt to make sure their food tastes good. Even “Healthy Meals” can
be prepared in an unhealthy manner. It is always safest to prepare
your own meals. However, if you find yourself at a restaurant ask
if they have a “Lighter Fare” menu or if they can recommend low
carb items. In general the safest things will be a grilled or baked
fish, chicken (skinless) with a steamed vegetable
(not potatoes or corn). If you have a salad, ask for them to put the
dressing on the side or bring your own. They often will have
Balsamic Vinegar, olive oil or lemon juice.
Just keep track of what you use. top 9. How much exercise per week do I need to do in order
to lose the maximum amount of weight? Everyone’s body responds differently. Our recommendation is to
get a personal trainer. We work closely with a few personal trainers
who we know and trust. They know our program and will be best
able to optimize a fitness regimen for you. Also, they are willing
to come to your home or your gym. So no excuses! top 10. What precautions can I take to keep skin from
hanging as I lose weight? The most important thing to do is stay hydrated and ensure a safe
amount of weight loss. A safe amount is generally 1-4 pounds
per week. Beyond that, you are at risk of water and muscle loss.
There is also a great deal of research involved with skin care.
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan with one of their
aestheticians to optimize skin care. This will help to maximally
restore your skins elasticity. top 11. Help! What happened to my breasts? Many women lose weight in their breasts. Breasts are made of
glandular tissue and fat. As you lose weight, the fat begins to
disappear and the glandular tissue remains. The skin which was
filled out also begins to deflate and the breasts descend; similar in
appearance to the phenomenon that occurs after breast feeding.
This can sometimes be treated with a surgery called a mastopexy
(or “Breast Lift”). Your doctors are plastic surgeons who routinely
perform these surgeries and can answer any questions you may
have regarding this matter. top 12. Is it common to have a dry mouth and bad breath on this diet? Again, it is very important to drink plenty of water. The decrease in
carbohydrates will cause the body to excrete ketones and water.
Keeping sugar free chewing gum and mouthwash on hand can help. top
13. What do the shots do? Are they safe? The shots contain vitamins which have not been found to have
overdose toxicity levels. Any amount which is not absorbed will be
excreted from the body as waste. The vitamins and amino acids
in the injections have been shown in research to increase fat and
cholesterol metabolism, improve energy, mood and prevent fatigue.
top
14. Is the diet pill the same one that was taken off
the market a few years ago (FEN-PHEN)? NO. Fen-Phen was an appetite suppressant also known as
Dexafenfluramine. Dexafenfluramine is sold under the name Redux.
It increases serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is a brain
chemical, which is associated with improved mood and plays a
role in your appetite. The prescription drug has been removed
from the market. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant which has been on the
market for many years and has not been taken off of the market.
It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight in
obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise,
diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for
individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their
weight and works by helping to release certain chemicals in the
brain that control appetite.
Generally, phentermine appears to be relatively well tolerated.
It can produce side effects such as a rapid heart rate and elevated
blood pressure. However, the incidence of these appears to be
less than with amphetamines. It may also cause palpitations,
restlessness, and insomnia. Additionally, phentermine has the
potential to cause physical and psychological dependence. top
15. I’ve hit a plateau and have stopped losing weight, what can I do? There will be times throughout various points of the program when
you hit a road block. This is why frequent follow-up is so important.
If there is a reason for this, we are committed to help resolve these
issues. Sometimes it can be as easy as thinking a food was healthy,
when in actuality it was slowing you down.
It is also important to realize that we do not look just at weight.
Even though weight may stay the same, your fat mass may go down
and fat free mass may increase, thus balancing out your weight.
This is better than losing 10 pounds of muscle. The biggest mistake
is to just concentrate on weight. Remember you may be 200 pounds
with a 28 inch waist or a 38 inch waist.
Remember that it is easier to lose weight in the beginning and
weight loss will slow down with time. The important thing is to
keep your goal in mind and focus on month to month or week to
week instead of day to day. top 16. Is there anything I can do to make my face
tighter while losing weight? It is very important to drink plenty of water to avoid becoming
dehydrated. Your doctor will work closely with a skin care
specialist to formulate a plan based on your needs. There are
several options available.
As with most health concerns prevention is the key. top 17. With this diet what is a reasonable amount
of time to lose 30 pounds? The amount of weight loss is dependent upon what you start
out with. Obviously it will be easier for someone who weighs
400 pounds to lose 20 pounds than someone who weighs
150 pounds. However, on average most people lose between
2-8 pounds in the first week and 1-4 pounds each additional
week.
Again, the amount of weight loss from week to week will vary.
Remember we want you to think in terms of
fat loss not weight loss! top 18. Are there any shakes or bars available with low carbohydrates
to keep on hand in case it is difficult to eat within a 3 hour period? The idea of meal replacement is big in dieting. While we do offer
some nutritional replacements such as snacks and shakes, we do
not advertise them as a daily use item. They can be very helpful
in certain situations, however.
Please, ask us for a list of available items. top ..
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