Hinderman: Checking in and checking up
Originally published January 28, 2016
The holidays are behind us, and the last scraps of wrapping paper, and the last needles off the pine tree have been discarded. Hopefully, you have not abandoned your New Year’s resolutions, as well.
Good intentions set forth in the beginning of the year have a way of diminishing as work, family obligations, and life gets in the way. To keep on track, Ann Pitcher of PS Medical Marketing helped to explore some motivational options.
She works with local doctors and has assembled these pitfalls as the main reasons resolutions flicker out. Dr. Robert Wrona, an Orland Park primary care physician who regularly treats overweight patients for health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, is an advocate for losing weight, including body fat, and staying healthy. “Many of my patients could be healthier if they lost some body fat,” he explains. “And, this isn’t just a post-holiday issue; it is a year-round concern.”
According to a recent Nielsen study, the top two New Year’s resolutions are to stay fit and healthy (39 percent) and lose weight (32 percent). However, as much as we try, old habits can die hard.
Dr. Wrona shares these tips for helping patients stick to their healthy resolutions:
1. Clearly define goals. Stating “I want to get in shape” or “I want to lose weight” doesn’t work. Determine how many pounds you want to lose. The first step to reaching your goals is to define them.
2. Track progress. Psychologists explain that “if you can measure it, you can change it.” Measurements are a source of motivation when you see how far you have come. There are many tools available to help you track progress.
3. Be patient. Progress takes time. Some may experience rapid gains in the beginning and hit resistance later on. Others may have a slow start but achieve rapid results later. Making lasting changes takes time.
4. Talk about goals. Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to announce that you have made a healthy resolution. It takes courage but will dramatically increase your odds of success. The support and encouragement from those around you is key.
5. Put fitness on the schedule. Make time for your new goals. Schedule workouts and consider them to be an appointment.
6. No more “all or nothing” attitude. If you splurge on a dessert once, don’t decide that you blew it and indulge every night. If you don’t have an hour to work out, 20 minutes is better than nothing.
7. Don’t try to be perfect. Vince Lombardi once said, “It isn’t whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.” Don’t turn relapses or temporary failures into excuses for giving up. Acknowledge your mistakes and recommit.
For those that continue to struggle with abdominal or lower body fat, Dr. Wrona says there are several options available, including liposuction, laser fat removal, and bariatric surgery. These options should be carefully discussed with your physician and you should only undergo any treatment with a board-certified, experienced physician.
After all other options have not worked for body shaping (not weight loss per se); you may want to consider Intelligent Lipo as an alternative. The process uses lipolysis – which uses lasers to convert fat into a liquid that can then be moved through your system (fat to liquid energy). These lasers can target fat pockets that may not be challenged (to do their job) otherwise. Dr. Wrona explains, “This can be the emotional jump start that people need to stay motivated in their quest.”
The procedure is non-invasive, painless, and lasts for 30 minutes each session. The commitment is for eight treatments, which can be done every other day, with most people committing to two times per week.
The treatment is not recommended as a substitute for healthy diet and exercise. However, Dr. Wrona feels that sometimes seeing results can be very motivational, and might be just the ticket to continuing the quest for good health. Dr. Wrona cautions, “The fat can return, as this stimulates the fat pockets and converts to liquid, so a healthy lifestyle is always recommended.”
Jennifer Vanderver, a medical assistant who has been with Dr. Wrona’s practice for more than 4½ years, demonstrated the Intelligent Lipo unit. Putting the “pads” on target areas, she says that the only feeling you may feel is a slight warming heat. She says, “If you are paying for the procedure, this can keep you motivated.”
She advises patients that it is mandatory to engage in exercise after treatment for the process to continue (fat breaking down to water and flushed out of your system). Further, drinking water enhances the process.
So, continue to commit to your health. Consult a doctor before engaging in any strenuous physical activity. And keep on moving!