Choose a weight-loss specialist

LOUIE FAVORITE / Cox News Service

Chris Andrus, of Athletic Training Services in Atlanta, measures aer-obic capacity of a client. A weight-loss specialist should educate youon safe and effective ways to lose weight and keep the weight off.

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW1. Losing weight is importantbecause your life depends on it.2. With a healthy weight-lossprogram, you can expect to losefrom six to eight pounds amonth.3. The amount and speed ofweight loss will vary with eachindividual. 4. The combination of medica-tion, caloric control, moderateexercise and behavior modifica-tion has proven to be the mosteffective means of healthyweight control.5. Starving yourself is the worstthing you can do.

HOW TO ...

Cox News Service

Obesity and the problems associatedwith it are reaching epidemic pro-portions worldwide. In the United

States, obesity has become the secondleading cause of death, following lungcancer. Each year, countless Americansdevelop heart disease, hypertension,breast cancer, colon cancer, esophaguscancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheu-matoid arthritis, and many other healthproblems associated with being over-weight.

More than 2,000 Americans die eachday from coronary heart disease.

Each year in the United States, thereare more than 1.6 million heart attacksreported, resulting in 600,000-800,000deaths.

By age 60, one in five men in the UnitedStates have suffered a heart attack.

Twice as many women die each yearfrom cardiovascular disease as from can-cer.

Starting a weight-loss program and life-style change is one of the most importantdecisions that you will ever make. Thisdecision can enhance the quality of yourlife as well as extend it. This is not a tem-porary solution to your weight problem.It is an answer to enable you to solve yourproblem by choosing to take control.• Why should I lose weight?

Because, quite literally, your lifedepends on it. Your body depends on youto provide it with sound, nutritionallyhealthy food choices that are low in fatsand in carbohydrates. It has been proventhat Americans consume far too muchfat, thus creating more obesity, whichleads to more disease.• How much weight can I expect tolose?

With a successful program, you canlose from eight to 10 pounds in the firstmonth. Some of that will be excess fluid,which your body has been retaining.Once your body becomes used to yournew routine, you can expect to lose anaverage of one to two pounds a week.

This will depend on you. Reachingyour ideal weight is your ultimate goal.• How fast will I lose weight?

The amount and speed of weight losswill vary with each individual. Each per-son’s metabolism is different. Some peo-ple lose faster than others.

This is not as important as losingweight safely and efficiently. You mustremember that you didn’t put the weighton overnight, and it will not come offovernight, but with consistent dedicationto reaching your weight-loss goal, youwill see the inches coming off as yourweight decreases.• Can I keep the weight off?

Your new-found knowledge about howto lose weight and keep it off, combinedwith an active exercise program, can helpyou maintain your desired weight for therest of your life. Remember that nutri-tional knowledge is the power that will

enable you to make healthy choices andavoid slipping back into old and destruc-tive habits. Once you have selected aweight-loss facility that fits your criteria,you will have a support system availableduring times of weakness. You should be

able to call the clinic at any time.• What can I expect?

On your first visit, the staff should takea brief medical history and check yourweight, blood pressure and heart rate.You will attend a nutritional seminar and

afterward see the doctor, who will reviewyour medical history and then discuss theprogram with you. If you have any ques-tions at this time, ask.

If you have any health problems thatyou failed to list, tell the doctor. The doc-tor will then determine which medicationis best suited for your particular weight-loss goals.

Look for combined medical supervi-sion, nutritional and maintenance guid-ance, and support from all staff members.The staff should help educate you on thesafe and effective way to lose weight andkeep it off.

The program’s main goal should be toprovide you with the knowledge and toolsto become the best you can be, so you canenjoy your life and health to the fullest.

You may receive a supply of appetitesuppressants and vitamins. The doctorwill instruct you in how and when to takeyour particular medication. The use ofappetite suppressants aid in controllingyour cravings.• You must eat

Starving yourself is the worst thingyou can do. You are encouraged to eatthree to six small meals a day on manyprograms. Some do not use any pre-mixedbeverages or pre-packaged foods. Healthyprograms are designed so that your entirefamily can enjoy the benefits of healthyeating along with you.