Tag: diet pill

Caution! Swimsuit Season Ahead

Posted on June 13, 2016

Are you Beach Body Ready?

Are you Beach Body Ready?

It’s hard to believe it, but it’s true. Swimsuit season is right around the corner, and it’s time to prepare. Some of you may have already gone through that dreaded ritual–your “first appearance of the year” in swimming attire (of course, only in front of your mirror). Others may be putting it off, hoping to shed a few more pounds and tighten up that tummy before your debut. Whatever your situation, now’s the time for action. Forget the regrets you have from the past year and all those things you “should have done.” Get yourself up and get ready for the season; it will be here before you know it. And to help you get started, here are some helpful tips:

  • Improve your posture: You’d be surprised at how much this simple tip will help. Poor posture and slouching will make you appear shorter and rounder. Standing up straight and keeping your shoulders back will instantly tighten that tummy.
  • Get moving: Every little bit of activity can help burn off those calories and increase your metabolism. Throughout the day, take some time for activities like walking or dancing. And don’t forget about those simple toning exercises like squats, push-ups, and crunches.
  • Cut excess calories: You really don’t need all of that sugar, or that soda, or that warm piece of fresh cake. And now you have something to motivate you (or in many cases yell at you like a drill sergeant on your first day of basic training): your swimsuit.
  • Reduce bloating: Bloating can make you look heavier than you really are, especially in the mid-section. Increase your fiber intake and try to avoid things like alcohol and excess salt, which can contribute to bloating. Also, you may look into our “Clynza Pure,” a mild colon cleanser to help you stay regular, sold at any Letslose location.
  • Shop smart: At the end of the day, bikinis may not be for everyone. So don’t feel pressured that you have to wear one. Buy a swimsuit that fits you, and that you can wear with confidence. There are many stylish one-piece swimsuits that can take pounds and inches off the moment you put it on. There are a variety of styles and colors that can give your body a whole new look. The bottom line is…Be You and Be Confident.

Don’t let the swimsuit season sneak up on you. And as always, we at Letslose are here to help make you a better you.

Sumo Wrestling, Counter-Intuitive Weight Loss

Posted on May 2, 2014

sumo2_144613Often times many people will try to lose weight using just their own common sense. Less soda, more water. Less fast food, more fresh foods. Less sugar and sweets, more vegetables. Less couch time, more activity. And quite often that’s all it takes (of course with an added dose of motivation).

However, there are many aspects to weight loss that may seem counter-intuitive–that is, they seem to go against normal and reasonable logic–and if you are unaware of some of these counter-intuitive “traps,” you could be hindering your own journey to a healthier you without even knowing it.

One of the most common counter-intuitive “traps” of weight loss that we at Letslose see people fall into all of the time is what we might call the “Sumo Wrestler Trap.” Did you know that a typical sumo wrestler eats a daily diet of 20,000 calories? That’s more than 10 times what a normal male should eat in a day! Now you may say, “What kind of a trap is that? Of course no one trying to lose weight will eat a 20,000 calorie per day diet.” But here’s the kicker: they eat all of those calories in only two meals. Let me say it another way: the normal day of training and exercise for a sumo wrestler (yes, they actually do exercise daily) begins by SKIPPING breakfast…and that is the “Sumo Wrestler Trap.”

So why do sumo wrestlers skip breakfast, and why is this a weight loss trap? Simple. Skipping breakfast slows down the wrestler’s metabolism, which enables them to maintain their weight (which for the average sumo wrestler is anything from 400 to 600 pounds!). By fasting through the night and morning, sumo wrestlers turn their bodies into fat-storing machines. And that is why it is also a weight loss trap. Many dedicated and well-intentioned people trying to lose weight will skip breakfast thinking the obvious: “Less food means less calories, means less weight.” But actually that first meal is extremely important to kick-start your metabolism for the day. So don’t skip breakfast. At least have a small something to eat to get your body awake and running. Just make sure to keep it a healthy something. And as you do, far from becoming the next professional sumo wrestler, you will watch those pounds drop off one by one as your own body’s metabolism does what it does best–burn off those calories.

Here are a few other counter-intuitive weight loss tips:

  • Eat more often: Eating five smaller (and healthier) meals per day can be more effective when trying to lose weight than eating three (and especially two!) meals per day.
  • Eat when you are not hungry: If you are going to be eating five times a day, you will probably find that you are not hungry when your next scheduled meal comes around. That’s great! Eating when you are not hungry means you will eat less. And if you never allow your body to get hungry before you decide to eat, your body (which is incredibly smart) will keep your metabolism running full speed, trusting that you won’t starve it and force it into starvation mode (which means slower metabolism).
  • Enjoy your food: Slow down and savor the food you eat. Eating slower can help you not overeat.

Product Highlight: Nutribullet

Posted on January 8, 2014

NutriBullet: The Superfood Nutrition Extractor®. Turn ordinary food into superfood and add years to your life! Available at most major retailers.

Simply fill halfway with raw veggies and the other half raw fruits. Easy to use, makes delicious, nutritious smoothies.

In need of a brain-boosting breakfast to power your way through the day? For sustained energy and a nutritional boost, here are some superior choices in the breakfast bunch.
1. Blueberries
These bright blue beauties contain one of the highest antioxidant capacities of all fruits, making blueberries a no-brainer (…or shall I say a yes-brainer?) There is evidence that these superfruits can improve memory, as well as boost the immune system.  Blueberries, along with other members of the berry family are lower on the glycemic-index (GI). A low GI along with their high fiber content helps slowly release sugar into the bloodstream for sustained energy.
2. Walnuts
What do you think of when you see an unshelled walnut? Looks like a brain, right?  Well, that is no coincidence, my friend! Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids shown to boost brain health and reduce inflammation. The healthy fats found in walnuts will help absorb fat-soluble vitamins and the protein will “stick to the ribs” to keep you satiated until lunch.
3. Spinach
Vitamin C found in the strawberries of our Berry Brain Boost NutriBlast (below) helps absorb the iron contained in spinach. Iron enhances oxygen distribution throughout the body, waking up the immune system, boosting energy, and enhancing brain activity. Spinach is also an abundant source of vitamin K (almost 200% of the daily value in one cup raw), a nutrient required to help build strong bones.
4. Rolled Oats
We’ve all heard oatmeal helps reduce cholesterol, but do you know how? Its high soluble fiber is key. It not only helps keep your  heart healthy, it will also slow down the rate at which the sugars from fruits are released into the bloodstream.  This prevents any drastic energy highs or lows, the foundation to keeping you awake and alert. Choose gluten-free to prevent any inflammation caused by potential allergies or intolerance.
5. Almond Milk  (or other dairy alternative)
With milk intolerance and dairy allergies on the rise, it is best to choose a dairy alternative fortified with calcium to meet the needs of growing bones. Fortunately, there are several options available that contain even more calcium than a glass of cow’s milk. Almond, rice, organic soy, oat, flax, and hemp milks are a few options you can find in your local market. This will also lend a creamier consistency to your NutriBlasts that your whole family will love.

Incorporate these top 5 foods in a delicious, nutritious NutriBlast.  It’s the perfect start to the day!
Berry Brain Boost NutriBlast
25% spinach
½ banana
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup strawberries
¼ cup raw walnuts
3 Tbsp gluten-free rolled oats
Unsweetened almond milk to the MAX line
Blast for 45 seconds.

–Krista Haynes, R.D.
NutriBullet Nutrition Advisor

To Your Health!

Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired?

Posted on January 8, 2014

If you answered “yes”, then it is time for change.  Consider your life… What will your health look like in 10 years? 20 years? 30?

Every decision you make today will effect all of your tomorrows. Proper diet and exercise may very well keep you dancing into your 90’s.

Secret Shopping Anyone?

Posted on December 6, 2013

top secretIt is our desire to be the BEST in the industry, therefore, Letslose, Advanced Weight Loss Clinics has 2 great programs that not only allow you to help others but also benefit from free weight loss services.

Lend A Hand Volunteer:  This opportunity is available to existing patients, there is one position at each clinic.  The duration is as long as the partnership remains beneficial for the volunteer, the patient and the company.

The goal of this program is to give unbiased support to our patients once per week for a couple of hours, during doctor time.  A benefit to the volunteer is that they get free services and products as long as they are actively volunteering.

Secret Shopper:  This opportunity is only available to new patients.  It is a structured program with a 4 week duration. During that time you will be established as a new patient and provide valuable information that will help us improve our services.

Due to the confidential nature of this program, the secret shopper will pay for the services at time of render, then submit an expense report along with other reporting to be reimbursed.

For more information about either of these programs, please email:agibson@letslose.com.

Defying Disease & Aging

Posted on October 14, 2013

 

Defy Disease & Aging With this…

Or Treat Disease & Aging With This…

The Choice Is Yours… What’s In Your Basket?  Take a hard look at the food you have eaten in the past week.  Would you say there is good nutritional value in it?  If you are like the typical American family, then it is quite likely that there was little to none.

Processed food, fast food, sweet or salty snacks all have one thing in common, they are toxic to our systems, making us sick, fat and un-energetic.

When is the last time you ate fresh fruit and vegetables?  Here are some tips to help you incorporate better eating into your lifestyle.

  • Keep fresh fruits & veggies, washed, cut up & ready to eat, in a clear container in the fridge on an eye level shelf.
  •  When raw veggies are past prime to eat fresh, puree and freeze to later add to soups or smoothies.
  • Hide all kinds of vegetables as pureed in soup to ensure picky eaters or children get proper nutrition.
  • Eat by color!  Typically, the darker, deeper, richer colored vegetables pack the most nutrients.  Try to eat several different colors per day.
  • Try new Foods.
  • Buy organic when possible.
  • Pack your lunch for school/work; If you must eat out, try a veggie packed subway wrap or salad.
  • Be prepared and plan your meals.
  • Experiment with 1/2 Fruit, 1/2 Vegetable Smoothies.
  • Eat soup!  Soup is one dish that retains all the nutrition during cooking.

If you eat wrong, no doctor can fix you, but if you eat right, no doctor is needed.

ANDI Score – The Healthiest Foods

Posted on October 2, 2013

Now there is a way to calculate which fruits and veggies are the most nutrient dense.  ANDI stands for “Aggregate Nutrient Density Index.” An ANDI score shows the nutrient density of a food on a scale from 1 to 1000 based on nutrient content.  A value of 1000 being the most nutritious per calorie, and 1 being the least.  ANDI scores are calculated by evaluating an extensive range of micro-nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacities.

Start looking for ANDI scores at participating grocers.

Crossing The Dreaded Weight Loss PLATEAU

Posted on August 22, 2013

Crossing The Dreaded Weight Loss PLATEAU!

Unfortunately, even the most diligent dieter can hit a roadblock! A weight loss plateau occurs when you stop losing weight despite continuing your normal exercise and low calorie eating habits.

In the beginning, you’re losing weight and everything is GREAT! Some of the weight loss you have been experiencing comes from water. When you consume fewer calories, your body will get it’s energy by releasing glycogen, which in turn will result in shedding extra water weight.

In addition to shedding excess water, when you lose weight, you lose fat and LEAN TISSUE. The loss of this lean tissue can slow down your metabolism, so eventually your weight loss efforts are back in sync with your metabolism.

So how do you get past this PLATEAU? The answer is to increase your activity and lower your calorie intake. Try cutting back 150 to 200 calories per day, but careful not to dip below the 1200 calorie mark.

Also, try changing up your exercise routine. Variety can help to reinvigorate a stale workout and help you get out of the weight loss rut.

Remember, what matters most is how you feel. You have to appreciate the skin your in, and above all know that you are BEAUTIFUL AT ANY SIZE!

Belviq – New Weight Loss Drug Approved by FDA

Posted on June 17, 2013

FDA Approved For Weight Loss

BELVIQ is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults who are:

obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or greater), or
overweight (BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) with at least one weight-related medical condition (for example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes).

The Belviq company has made it possible to get your first 15 days of medication free.

Call our office (205) 670-5355 for more information!

FDA Approves New Weight Loss Pill

Posted on October 7, 2012

Qsymia is a new weight loss drug which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July, and is now available for obese and at-risk overweight patients. Qsymia, a combination of both phentermine and topirimate, a controlled substance which can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.

There are strict rules set by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners for prescribing Qsymia and other controlled weight loss drugs. The indications for prescribing are patients who have a BMI greater than/equal to 30 or greater than/equal to 27 with a comorbitity, such as hypertension and diabetes. Also, in the Letslose, Advanced Weight Loss Clinics all females of reproductive age who wants to start on Qsymia will be required to sign an agreement/release stating she will use some form of contraception and take a monthly pregnancy test, and immediately discontinue the medication if she were to become pregnant, due to the risk that Qsymia can cause birth defects.

Currently, this Rx is only available via mail order through Walgreens and CVS. The cost of this medication is much higher than other diet drugs. The following prices are as of 9/30/12.

CVS:
3.75 mg – 14 day supply- $66.99
7.5 mg – 30 day- $159.99
11.25 mg – 30 day- $194.99
15 mg- 30 day- $ 219.99

Walgreens:
3.75 mg – 14 day supply- $70.39
7.5 mg – 30 day- $162.69
11.25 mg – 30 day- $195.29
15 mg- 30 day- $ 220.59

Some patients in the clinical trial suffered an increased heart rate and a condition called metabolic acidosis, which can lead to hyperventilation, fatigue and anorexia.

Qsymia’s manufacturer, Vivus Inc., says that the drug helped lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in obese people and that people taking it were less likely to get type II diabetes.