Dr. Sean Wharton of the Canadian Bariatric Clinic’s next set of free lectures is next week, Wed. March 26, 2008. You can go to his website and see exact times , dates, location, etc.

Have you been to one of his lectures? I am curious to hear what other’s think.

Canadian Bariatric Clinic’s Free weight Loss Lectures

If you are a patient at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic I HIGHLY recommend you go to one of these. If you have gone before and think it will be just the same thing -try going again. I have gone 3 or 4 times and yes some of it is repeated- however each time I have understood something at a deeper level or walked away feeling more motivated.

If you are just new to the weight loss “program” you really HAVE to go. There is no way for him to give you all this information in a 20 minute visit. Dr. Wharton talks about the importance of eating and what kinds of foods to eat and why.

I think if I had not forced myself to go to that 1st lecture, which I write in my post, Changing My Mind About The Canadian Bariatric Clinic( and lest you think I was always a cheerleader for the clinic- think again!) , I would be 40 lbs heavier than I am now… ( and with an undiagnosed thyroid issue) . It was at my first lecture that I “got it” and also was convinced that Sen was sincere in his efforts to help obese people and not just looking to make a quick buck or a name for himself. Dr. Wharton is an excellent speaker.

I have also heard the nutritionist speak and although it can be a bit dry, you will learn something.

Free Food!

At my last appt. Dr. Wharton mentioned that a company, Beneficium Foods, is giving away samples of their high protein low calorie foods and snacks. I will check them out and report back!
At my first lecture Dr. Wharton had a table set up with veggies an dip and basket of apples, water- and was encouraging every one to eat. Must have been a very odd experience for most of us- who all weight in at 300lb+ range and have not had people asking us to eat for a LONG time! I know it was a bizarre experience for me.

Dr. Wharton is very big on giving away free stuff when he can- last visit he was giving out pedometers from Boost. I think he likes giving people options and help them succeed. I know that money is always tight at the clinic ( as they are funded by OHIP) and I was glad to see he has a “sponsor” for his lectures.

Bariatric Lecture Calendar

I had some blood test done in the New Year that showed some off numbers.. redid the test and there were on the high side of normal so Dr. Wharton re-did the test last week and sure enough high again. They are not crazy high so I actually have sub-clinical Hypothyroidism. This means my TSH levels are hight but my T4 level are in normal ranges.
From my reading some doctors may or may not treat- but because of my weight issues and fatigue we are going to try treating it and see what happens.

Also from what I read- the numbers are not important as how you feel. So higher number may not mean “worse” if asymptomatic.

So now I am taking 75 mg of Synthroid (Levothyroxine) each day. Apparently I will not feel effects right away- may tkle a few days or weeks. being retested again in 3 weeks.

Looking at the list of symptoms they are pretty vague:

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

* Increased sensitivity to cold
* Constipation
* Pale, dry skin
* A puffy face
* Hoarse voice
* An elevated blood cholesterol level
* Unexplained weight gain
* Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
* Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
* Muscle weakness
* Heavier than normal menstrual periods
* Depression

Of the above Hypothyroidism symptoms, you could say I- and anyone else- have had these symptoms at one time or another. I am alwys cold. I even bought a hot tub so I could deal with it. I also have a heated mattress pad. But- I also live in cold climate so that could be it too :-).
I am not pale or puffy faced. I do not have a hoarse voice ( that I know of…). My cholesterol is fine. My muscles are always sore.. but I am also obese. I do suffer from terrible RLS ( restless leg syndrome) and get leg cramps often so maybe ?
No swelling that I know of. No muscle weakness. Depression- yes- but that is always been an issue for me.
Heavier than normal menstrual periods- well- I was mentioning yesterday to my husband that in the last year my periods have been awful But again- maybe my age… who knows.

More info on Hypothyroidism
http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

Sabotaging Our Weight Loss with Crazy Logic

I have several habits I have picked up the years. They make no sense intellectually but I do them anyway. They sabotage my journey to health and undermine my success fat and weight loss yet I do them anyway. Some of them are so ridiculous they are funny.

I wonder what others do to convince themselves to eat things they really should be avoiding? Do you do things that make no sense and have weird justification for it?

1. If no one sees me eat it- it doesn’t count.

Some how the calorie content of food MUST go way down if no one can see you it. Rather than take a piece of cake or brownie or whatever and eat it.. i will go in fridge and eat it behind the door… Or drive to a store and eat a box of peanut brittle in the parking lot. Go into kitchen at party and take cookie/square/food when non one is looking. I know it is not because I am afraid of what they think- it’s because on some level I think it doesn’t count.

2. if I eat it standing up- doesn’t count.

This sort of ties in with above. I I eat at kitchen counter- doesn’t count. Over a batter bowl- nope. Standing at the fridge with spoon of ice cream in my hand- calories magically disappear.

3. I am buying these cookies/brownies/nanaimo bars for the REST of the family.

They may never even see them in truth - or will have one each and the rest will some how disappear. I have even gone so far as to throw out food like this so I won’t eat it.

4. I am baking/cooking it for REST of the family. see above.

5. I will diet tomorrow.

“If I REALLY cut back tomorrow then I will still make my goal weight this weekend”. Healthy eating is a habit- not something you do sometimes. I got to be 300 lbs thinking I would do something ‘tomorrow” . Tomorrow never comes.

6. If I don’t weigh myself I am not fat.

Variation on the if I know what I weight I am will get depressed and eat more. The head in the sand approach. This is sort of like an alcoholic not admitting he is an alcoholic- because if he admitted it - he would have to stop drinking . If we don’t weigh ourselves we don’t have to stop eating and take control.

7. I am not THAT fat.

See above. I started thinking at 318 lbs I might be really fat when I went to my usual stores ( Cotton Ginny Plus) and Land’s End and their largest sizes didn’t fit me. I would have to try on 10 pairs of pant to get one that i could wear. Not look nice- but wear.The criteria for clothes became not if i liked it but if it fit. I would also compare msyelf to others. Somehow seeing a 400 llb woman made me feel better ” At least i am not THAT out of control” . At big functions I would look around and realize that of the 400+ people at the wedding i was the fattest person there. If some one else was bigger- i would be relieved. On some level it meant I belonged with the “other” people.

8. I Can Always Get Surgery.
Yes- if you are healthy enough for the surgery, if you can afford the surgery and the time . If you want to put yourself though that risk. Any surgery- and especially gastric bypass or lapband surgery has risks. There is long recovery time. It does not SOLVE the problem of your eating habits - those you still have to conquer.
I am not against surgery- for some people it is a need or they will die. If you are on the cusp of needing it and using that choice in the back of your mind it is a slippery slope. It is the same mentality of a drunk thinking he will just get a liver transplant if his liver fails.

It was actually this option that lead me to finally get help. I started researching surgery. I discovered I didn’t need it. But it was my last card to play. I would lay awake at night and think if thing get too bad than I will get surgery. When Dr. Wharton ( Dr. Sean Wharton of Canadian Bariatric Clinic) gives his lectures ( which are excellent- if you are able try and got to them- more info here). he talks about his ideas for weight loss- eating small meals, increased protein and fibre, etc really being the the same way you eat and how you would lose with weight loss surgery. This was a light bulb moment for me. I would have surgery to get the same effect as follow his diet advice. OR I could follow his dieting advice and get same effect without the surgery. I have teetered- a lot- but I am 40+ pounds less now than before I met him and making changes that will last forever.

9. My weight doesn’t affect my health- there is nothing wrong with me. ( need to add YET here)

I am lucky. I have excellent blood pressure. My blood sugar is fine. My mom - who has always been pretty thin- tales insulin for her diabetes. My dad who was a professional athlete and has always been in great shape and health now has diabetes. My sister was recently diagnoses with diabetes. I am a walking time bomb. I don’t have diabetes YET.
It like a smoker who keeps smoking because he doesn’t have lung cancer… yet.

I *think* my weight does not affect my health- here is evidence that suggests otherwise.

- a 38 I had to halt efforts to become pregnant because of a gall bladder problem and then had surgery to remove my gall bladder. Ever here the saying ” 40 Fair Female and Fat” Most people who have their gall bladder removes are fair skinned women near forty years old who are overweight. This could have been life threatening if a gall stone had gotten loose.

I have constant back problems. I suffer from terrible sciatica. I am in pain- alot.

10. I am fine with my weight.

No one is fine with their weight when they are fat. People who know me well will at some point comment at confident I am- what a great attitude I have- that they think its great that I have such a healthy self image. I am FAKING it. I kid myself and others.
I pretend that I am not fat and sometimes convince myself I am not.. however my self-loathing LOOMS about me like some suffocating specter. If I walked around showing how I really felt I would be a pathetic mess. If I “acted” fat my husband would not have sex with me. I don’t want my daughter t know how I really feel about my weight.
I don’t want my friends to know at night I think of how much I want to wear normal clothes and wear shoes with a heel.
I am not fine with my weight. I pretend I am so I can get through the day and not hate myself. I am figuring out how to love myself as I am- and accept on a deep level that I deserve to be healthy and fit and live.

Eek.. I know.. a gross subject. Last year I was TOTALLY freaked out a a family gathering where my brother and step-mother started taking about this. My brother does a colon cleansing religiously every 3 months or so and my step mother announced she has had a colonic done. Robin Quivers of the Howard Stern often talks about her colon cleanses- she has recently lost over 55 pounds. It is supposed to rid your intestine of toxins and other crap that is stopping you from ridding body of waste properly. I am normally pretty fearless but just don’t think I could walk into my local health store and start asking about colon cleansing kits, Thank god for the Internet and online ordering! I would like to think that when I try it I will report back- but I just don’t think i could bring myself to share.

Has any one else tried it?? Did it work ? ( please- not too graphic!) Did you notice immediate results? Please post in the comments section!

I am weighing in consistently at 282 lbs. This is lowest I have weighed in over 8 years. I know most people would be aghast at that weighing- but I am safely out of the 300 zone! I still can’t believe I was 318 lbs a few months ago.

I am anxious to get below that 280 mark- thought I wold do it by this morning but had a weird weekend- we were snowed in ( like every one else) and I have been sloppy again about food. I have been nibbling bits and bites of so-called forbidden foods. The worst habit I have picked up is going into grocery store with bulk bin… getting bits of skor bar and last week one or two pieces of fudge (!!!!)
I guess in my mind I think if it comes in small bag it doesn’t count. I did mention to Dr. Wharton that this compulsion came from a place of sabotage and not one of hunger or wanting comfort.

At my last visit with Dr. Wharton some test results came back and my thyroid was showing some problems- looked like it was over active. I believe number was 9.8 and normal range is 1.5-5.5 We redid test efore I went away and I phoned and discussed second test results- which were still bit high ( I *THINK* 5.8 ) but just over the normal range- so he will re-do again.

Part of me was relieved that maybe my issue was medical but now I am happy that I don’t have a chronic medical condition.

I keep promising pics- but this I mean it- I will!!!!

I have been travelling overseas and had no access to Internet- wanted to do a quick update. I saw Dr. Wharton at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic just before I left. Over all I am doing well. As expected no dramatic weight loss in last few weeks. I was up and down over November/December and took off about 8 lbs in January. Here in Mid-February I think I have “just”maintained. I am travelling all over the place and trying to watch what I eat. I did bring my magic bullet and protein powder as well as 3 cases of protein bars and they have been a life saver. I have not been able to weigh myself. Judging my my clothes I am doing fine, though.

My visit with Dr, Sean Wharton went well- he s very uplifting and encouraging. I also has measurements taken and lost 5 inches from my waist- which is now 41 inches ..my hips are 55 inches.

I have received several e-mails from people just starting at Canadian Bariatric Clinic and seeing Dr. Wharton for the first time and they have found my posts helpful Some of the comments have been quite touching- I am very pleased to be of any support.

I was where you were 5 months ago…. every journey begins with that first step!

You need a yoga mat if you are going to do yoga a regular mat or towel won’t work- you need something non-slip. If you are heavy you especially need extra hell keeping you hands and feet in place.

Yoga Mats are typically about $20-30.00

XS Cargo Stores have yoga mats on sale for 9.99
Giant Tiger Stores also have for 9.99- not sure if this is sale or rgulaer item

Loblaws/Fortinos/Zehrs have nice yoga kits- mat + 2 blocks + strap + yoga dvd + eye mask ( not sure what for! ) for 19.99. This is a great deal. I biought for blocks and have extra mat for kids to do with me…

Create Before and After Pictures of yourself . You can use a Virtual model to see how you look now- and how you will look at your goal weight. Several online shopping sites have these they will be called “virtual model” or “my virtual model” or something like that. Land End has one- but the highest weight it will take is 250 lbs. I guess they think no one will buy their clothes if they see what they “really” look like.

The one I like best is the My Virtual Model, it is easy to use and VERY customizable. After you finish it- just use print screen and copy in an image editing software to edit/crop save or use a screen capture software of some sort.
Note: Prevention magazine also has a “weight loss simulator” here , which to me looks like exactly the program as the clothing sites are using.

Here is my model at 318 lbs:

How I will look at goal weight of 225:

Here is what I am supposed to look like now at 280:

is not a bad likeness. I will get new pics up in next couple of days.

I have joined many fitness clubs in my life. I am a fairly confident person and their have been times where I have felt eyes burning on me when I have walked into a weight room or felt people looking over onto my treadmill to see how I am doing, etc or felt self-conscious while working out. Going to the gym is half the battle and I have felt good after wards but I am more conscious of not “fitting in” there than anywhere else.

having Balance- Connecting Your Mind and Body

I have started doing Yoga. I have been doing for several weeks. I can honestly say it has been life changing for me.
I have been doing a type of yoga, Hatha Yoga- the encourages the concept of “Yoga is For Everyone”. It is about accepting and respecting yourself. And understanding that everything has a balance. With strength their is flexibility and with tension is relaxation and there must be a balance.

If there is too much relaxation- you end up out of shape and not in tune with your body. Living in your head is what most fat people do. I think they literally separate their mind from their body . It may be for all kinds of reasons Woman and men you have been physically violated often end up overweight and obese and living “outside of the body” yoga is one way of getting back in sync.

I have done yoga many times- lots of stops and starts- and never once have I felt out of place or like I didn’t belong. The beginner class I was at last night had an eighty-year old BLIND woman coming for the first time.
Many times while I have been trying a pose and listening to the words of the intruder i have felt tears in my eyes- finally feeling connected to myself and like my body was worth caring for and respecting. Loving yourself- your whole self is not something only skinny and fit people do.

Yoga For Beginners

If you are intimidated by the thought of going to a gym try a yoga studio or community center/Y for classes. You need very little to start, A Yoga mat, belt and pillow are pretty much all you need, yoga blocks are also good to have. If you have to buy you can buy everything for under $20.00. You can often get for free in Freecycle groups.

Gyms Are Scary for Fat People

I am 285 pounds and have seen others heavier than me in classes and there is nothing to be worried about. Please give your self this gift of taking care and loving yourself!

Wow. this call really got me thinking. Last week I was in husbands car and he had Howard Stern show on. A woman called in to discuss her problem. Child protective services had warned her that they might take her daughter away from her. Her 15 year old daughter weighed 285 lbs (about the same as me now) . For fear of her daughter being taken away- and then her other kids- she was encouraging her daughter to purge after a binge!!!! OMG. If you are unaware of risks and stupidity f this- terry Schiavo was doing this and this is what made her go into a coma! Other risks besides death are your teeth rotting from enamel, burns and danger to esophagus, etc

The people on Howard Stern came down on the woman pretty hard- who seemed to think she would get sympathy and praise (!)
She said she had tried everything.. Her daughter would eat whole dinners for the family, etc.
I have been thinking about this all week- it really disturbed me. My husband and I have talked about what we do if we noticed our kids leaning toward obesity. But hterory is different then reality.
One thing with my dieting is I am just not keeping temptation food in the house. We can all survive without puddings, cakes, cookies and ice creams. If I do have treat here in cupboards they are ones I don’t care about. My kids can always buy chocolate bar or whatever with their allowance if they feel the need.
My kids are all very healthy and athletic and I have done all I can not to pass on my issues to them. Forbidding foods is not something I do- but I am fine with just buying them. About the only food I don’t “allow” them to have is anything with aspartame or caffeine. I also tend to not buy juice that much.

I have a quite over weight girlfriend and her son is very heavy- probably by about 50 lbs. She stocks her cupboard with Kraft Dinner and lunch is usually hot dogs or pizza pockets. We just don’t have those foods in the house. Even before dieting My issues would be with sneaking foods.
I actually place no limits on my kids eating- I also don’t have crap in the house. There is likely to be an argument for that last orange as the last bowl of ice cream.
If my daughter wanted to buy 10 chocolate bars with her allowance- its not something I would forbid. Who knows- if my parent had thrown giant quantities of chocolate at me maybe i would have turned my head away.
Over eating isn’t always about food. it can be about self-esteem, feeling good, being angry and especially control. Fat parents do have fat kids- they are usually eating the same things. MacDonald’s, Fried chicken, deep fried food, donuts, pizza, etc. All foods high in white flour and fats.
Getting rid of these foods is half the battle.

Exercise has to be fun if it is to become a habit and a life long one. All kids have a passion for something- hockey, dance, gymnastics, etc If your child doesn’t like it- find something else. Forcing your kids to do exercise they don’t want to do becomes a control and power play. Sometimes doing something with them is a big part of it. Making a special time for you an done of your kids to go for walk or hike may be more than just exercise :-)