Achieving & Maintaining
Healthy Weight Loss
The bulging of the American waistline has become a serious health concern. The Surgeon General of the United States has warned that obesity is running a close second to smoking as the most common cause of preventable deaths. As a healthcare provider, Lancaster General is lending a helping hand through programs and materials designed to aid individuals in developing and maintaining weight management programs.
“Obesity is actually an epidemic. Heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, osteoarthritis, depression, breast cancer, colon cancer and ovarian cancer have all been directly linked to obesity. Most importantly, premature death is strongly linked to obesity,” says Dr. Bruce Pokorney, Chief Medical Officer, Lancaster General Hospital and author of “Achieving & Maintaining Weight Loss.”
The key to weight loss isn’t in special diets, pills, lotions, potions or fads, cautions Dr. Pokorney, who also practices medicine at Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster. “There is no magic bullet to allow us to exercise less, eat more and lose weight,” he says. “Making a concerted effort to lose weight requires thinking about what we eat every single time we make a choice to eat, making good choices, limiting intake and exercising. It is hard and we have to do it not only today, but every day for the rest of our lives. That is why people struggle.”
For Larry Corcoran, Dr. Pokorney’s approach was just the ticket. By following his suggestions, Larry lost more than 60 pounds.
About three years ago, Larry gradually noticed his clothes were not fitting properly and even had to increase his shirt neck size from a 15 1/2 to 17.
Larry went to see Dr. Pokorney because of another medical concern and happened to mention weight management. By sharing the suggestions in his book, Dr. Pokorney helped guide Larry on the road to healthy, sensible weight loss.
Larry began by logging his food intake and exercise level. He noticed that he could easily eliminate 500 calories a day from his diet. He started to lose the weight gradually. He eventually reduced his waist size from 44 to 36 inches. Because of other medical conditions, Larry is careful not to overdo it, but he is able to maintain an activity level that works in conjunction with a healthy diet.
“Someone can give you the tools to lose weight, but the motivation to take them and put them to use has got to come from within,” Larry says.
Recognizing that no single approach will work for everyone, Lancaster General offers several weight management programs. LEARN, which stresses behavioral modification through Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships and Nutrition in a group setting, is offered at the Education & Wellness Center. For those who prefer one-to-one contact, registered dietitians are available through the Lancaster General Diabetes & Nutrition Center.
To find out when the next LEARN program begins, call 290-3138. To speak with a registered dietitian, contact the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at 290-5923.
Project Fit
Obesity is a problem that often begins during childhood. This is a formative time as it is when eating and exercise habits first develop. Recognizing the importance of reaching youth, Lancaster General is partnering with InnerLink, Inc. to create the Project Fit educational curriculum and activities, which will be avilable to schools to subscribe to through the Internet. Project Fit will build upon the principles outlined in Dr. Pokorney’s book and promote how to maintain a healthy weight through sensible diet and exercise. InnerLink, Inc., an innovative provider of engaging online health, safety and communication curriculum and technology, is a local company that has extensive experience in connecting schools with educational materials via the Internet. For information on Project Fit, email info@innerlinkit.com.