Exactly why the HCG diet is experiencing a resurgence now is uncertain, but the publicity has sparked a response from the FDA. In January 2011, the agency warned that homeopathic HCG is deceptive and unlawful when sold for weight-loss purposes. Though the FDA said such products aren’t necessarily unsafe, their sale is misleading; since there’s no good evidence they’re helpful for weight loss. What’s more, all HCG products, including injections prescribed by a doctor, must carry a warning stating there’s no proof they speed up weight loss, redistribute fat, or numb the hunger and discomfort typical of a low-calorie diet.

In 1995, researchers analyzed 14 clinical trials on the HCG diet. Only two concluded HCG was any more effective than a placebo at helping people lose weight. And nearly 10 years earlier, a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal stated hCG has “no value” as a means of managing obesity, and that the diet has been “thoroughly discredited and thus rejected by the majority of the medical community.”

There’s no question that 500 calories a day is equal to malnutrition—dieters should never dip below 1,200, experts say and dietary guidelines recommend more than three times the amount of calories the diet prescribes for women ages 19 to 30. Moreover, extremely low-calorie diets can cause severe bone and muscle loss, electrolyte imbalances, gallstones, and even death. “I’ve heard a lot of people say the side effects of this diet are overwhelming,” says registered dietitian Keri Gans, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “And they could start as soon as one day in—you’ll start feeling irritated and tired.”

While the HCG diet sounds good, when people talk of the weight loss but it appears that any weight loss has nothing to do with the HCG, but more to do with the dangerously low calorie intake. Almost anyone on a 500 calorie a day diet would lose weight, so this is just another in a long line of phony weight loss claims.

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Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery varies by state and insurance provider. Many insurance companies – both public and private – now offer coverage, including gastric bypass insurance.

While some insurers may foot the entire bill, many public or private insurance companies that cover weight loss surgery will pay 80 percent of what is considered “customary and usual” for the surgery.

Weight loss surgery is an option for Medicare beneficiaries with a body mass index (BMI) of 35, with at least one health problem related to obesity.

Whether Medicaid covers weight loss surgery varies on a state-by-state basis.

Many private insurance companies will cover weight loss surgery if your primary care doctor informs them that the surgery is medically necessary.

Insurance companies fail to look at the big picture when it comes to weight loss, many of the problems associated with being overweight such as diabetes and sleep apnea are not just exclusive to those who are categorized as obese. If they were to offer more coverage for people who need it before they become obese whether it is covering prescription medicine or weight loss programs it would actually save money in the long run.

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Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Therapy was developed by Psychologist Dr. Jean Kristeller, a professor at Indiana State University. For 20 years, Dr. Kristeller has studied the bond between psychological variables, illness, and health. The result of this study is a mindfulness approach to eating called Mindfulness Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-Eat). This approach has been studied through a 1.8 Million dollar grant from the National Institute of Health at the University of Indiana, Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania. The research demonstrates that mindfulness mediation can help individual’s self-regulate eating behavior, lose weight, and maintain their results.

Mindful eating is a very simple approach to living that is not about depriving yourself or overindulging yourself. With most diet programs, the more one struggles to lose weight the harder it becomes to lose weight. Most diet plans center on the few foods that you are allowed to have which in turn creates a sense of deprivation. Both overeating and diets tend to focus on the obtaining and eating food, rather than enjoying and experiencing it. When we sacrifice what our food has to offer for the temporary satisfaction of eating, the food we crave is not fully enjoyed. This eating behavior that is so well learned that we continue on the diet and indulgence treadmill, experiencing shame, blame and guilt, promoting the very behavior we want to change.

If you would like to take a new approach to weight loss you can read the study here http://www.mbcttrainingen.nl/Resources/Mindfulness%20Based%20Approache.pdf

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Qnexa which is a combination of the diet pill Phentermine and the anti-epilepsy pill Topiramate was resubmitted for review in October 2011. The resubmission followed the company’s agreement with the FDA’s Endocrine and Metabolic Division in September 2011. The NDA resubmission included a proposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Vivus the parent company producing Qnexa is revising its proposed REMS based on the change in Qnexa’s label.

While this removal does not guarantee approval, it is a strong indication that it may get approved when it comes up for review in April 2012. Qnexa still has some hurdles to overcome it does have many side effects most notably increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, dry mouth, tingling, constipation, altered taste, depression as well as the many side effects that come along with using Phentermine.

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The first alternative diet we will look at will be the detox diet also refered to as a cleansing diet. This approach that proponents claim rids the body of “toxins”, accumulated harmful substances that are alleged to exert undesirable effects on individual health. Detoxification usually includes one or more of: dieting, fasting, consuming only certain foods, or avoiding certain foods.

Detox diets are divisive. Many experts in the medical field feel that most of the so-called “medical science” presented in these diets is nothing more than fiction. It is true that most of these diets have are very strict on what to consume and a detox diet should be done with extreme caution.

Generally most detox diets will contain the following foods:

• Organic food and drink (no pesticides or fungicides).
• Whole unprocessed foods (grains, nuts, seeds, etc).
• High mix of vegetables and fruit.
• 2 liters of water per day
• Certain herbs such as Psyllium seed, Licorice root, Yucca root, Milk thistle seed, Gentian root, to aid the detoxifying process.

Most detox programs will avoid the following:

• Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs
• Processed and refined foods
• Certain supplements (due to the amount of additives).

Reduction of Stress

Keep in mind that detoxing, cleansing, fasting, and diets of this nature should be done while under the supervision of a doctor.

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There are ways in which you can stick to your resolution and see real results throughout the year.

#1  Get your physician involved.

Make an appointment with your doctor and discuss your goals with him/her.  Your physician may have some valuable advice and tips that will help to guide you through your quest.  It’s always good to have a complete physical before beginning any weight loss and fitness program, so get your doctor’s blessing as well as advice.

#2  Make a plan.

Take some time to write down your goals.  Add a fitness plan to your goals of dieting, as that will help you to reach your desired weight.  Set dates for yourself, write down guidelines.  Plan on deadlines and benchmarks and how long it should take you to meet them.  Be sure that your expectations are realistic and reasonable.  Also, it is a good idea to only have one major resolution at a time.  Too many changes will weaken your resolve and exhaust you.  Being discouraged will only lead you to give up more easily.

#3  Set Mini-goals.

Break your goal into small, manageable parts.  Rather than making a lofty and broad resolution such as, “I resolve to lose 100 pounds this year,” divide the year up into parts and plan on reaching smaller goals within those shorter time periods.

#4  Prepare yourself psychologically.

Gear up for your resolution.  Make grocery lists and schedules.  Remove any temptations from the kitchen.  Decide exactly what day you will begin your plan and stick to that date.  If you are mentally prepared, your motivation will be much higher.

#5  Have your goals visible.

Make signs or posters with your goals written in bright letters.  Motivational sayings posted around in strategic places will strengthen your resolve.

#6  Get support.

Involve your family and friends.  Let them know what your plans are and why you have made these resolutions.  Make sure that they understand not only how they can help support you, but also the things they might do that will create obstacles for you.  Often they wouldn’t otherwise realize that they are creating roadblocks.  You can also join a support group.  Often sticking to a plan is easier when you aren’t the only one trying to reach a goal.

#7  Photograph yourself weekly or biweekly.

Having visual proof of your progress can be immensely satisfying and motivating for you.

#8  Don’t give up.

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, rethink your strategy.  It may be that the goals you have set are unrealistic or too lofty.  You may need to break it down into even smaller increments.  If you slip up, don’t punish yourself too much.  Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start again.

# 9  Reward yourself.

Once you reach a mini-goal or benchmark, treat yourself with something special.  Go buy yourself a new outfit, treat yourself to a movie, or have a spa day.  Just don’t make your reward food oriented!  Celebrate your achievements.

Making New Year’s Resolutions is easy.  Sticking to them is not so much.  Following these simple tips and being kind to yourself will make your journey a much more enjoyable experience, and you will be much more likely to succeed. Remember if you need help keeping your resolution to lose weight try our Phentermine replacement Phentramin-D

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Most people gain weight over the Christmas holidays.  It’s understandable.  This season comes with candies and cakes, and it comes with cookies and chocolate.  There is a way to control your weight and still enjoy yourself.

• Don’t starve yourself throughout the day in order to save up for a dinner or an office party.  Not only will you stuff yourself with things that can provide too many calories, you will actually do your metabolic rate a disservice.  When you starve yourself, your body’s metabolism slows down to accommodate.  So, eat a good breakfast and a reasonable lunch.  You’ll be happy you did later.
• Try to fill up on foods full of fiber and avoid going for seconds.  Remind yourself of how much you generally eat and fill your plate accordingly.  In addition, forgo the ordinary foods such as chips and crackers with cheese.  Instead, take very small portions of the special foods you wouldn’t normally get to eat throughout the year.  It only takes a few bites to satisfy that craving.
• Water down your alcoholic beverages.  If you must imbibe, just add some sparkling water to that wine or ask that your drink be diluted with a diet mixture.  This will save calories on the alcoholic level, will leave you much more clear headed, and will help you to make good choices when it comes to nibbling.  Alcohol affects our inhibitions.  Drink too much, and you may not be able to control those urges to splurge.
• Get your friends and family on board.  Make sure they understand that you are dedicated to your diet and have them agree not to tempt you or taunt you into cheating.  It is important to have their support in your efforts.
• Don’t buy the chocolate or traditional snacks.  Just don’t do it.  If you don’t have it in the house, you cannot cheat by treating yourself to “just one.”  That one is generally very difficult to stick to.
• Finally, if you do slip, forgive yourself and move on.  There is no reason for that slip to turn into a rock slide.  Don’t let that slip become an excuse or a free ticket to totally abandon your reserve.

Keep yourself focused, and you are capable of getting through the holidays without gaining weight.  Give yourself a break from losing, enjoy yourself, but keep yourself in check.  When it is time to make a New Year’s resolution, you will be very glad that you did!

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A look at the advances in technology might shed a bit of light and give us a few answers for this rise in the number of people who fall into the category of overweight or obese.  First, take into consideration the growing popularity of fast food restaurants.  While fast food has been around since 1921 when the first White Castle opened its doors, it really wasn’t until the early 1960’s when fast food experienced its surge in growth.  McDonald’s enjoyed major growth spurts in 1960 and 1968.  The fast food trend is holding its popularity due to affordable, convenient, albeit unhealthy sustenance.

Television is something that most of us totally take for granted these days.  In 1948 only one million homes in the United States had a television set (and those were the kind that you actually had to get up and change the channel and mess around with the antenna!).  These days, Americans spend countless hours sitting on their behinds on the couch, munching on popcorn (or whatever the snack of choice may be), and stare at a television screen.  Not especially conducive to weight loss or exercise.

Another invention which has made our lives unbelievably easier is the microwave oven.  It has also contributed to our girth gain.  The first countertop microwave was available in 1965 and came with a price tag of a little less than $500.00.  In 1975, sales of the microwave oven exceeded that of gas ranges.  Americans are addicted to convenience and instant gratification.  With the readily availability of the microwave in homes came the increase in variety of microwave dinners.  Quick and easy?  Yes.  Healthy and calorie conscious?  Not always.  To be fair, there are plenty of diet microwave meals available these days, but it seems that most of us are not taking advantage of this availability.

Computers and video games are also culprits behind our sedentary lifestyles.  Ask any kid what he/she would rather do, play a video game or get up and go outside to use his/her imagination in a game such as cowboys and Indians.  Social media has taken the place of all ages actually meeting in person and participating in physical activities.  Again, to be fair, many of the video games these days are designed to get people up and moving.  We’ll see if that trend stays alive.

Finally, there are some economical and social reasons for the rise in obesity.  Most families these days have a situation in which both parents must work outside of the home.  This often leaves the kids to fend for themselves and to have very little monitoring when it comes to snack consumption.  It also means there are less healthy family dinners being prepared.  Dangers in our society quite often prohibit free play for children outside.  More often than we’d like to admit or acknowledge, it is simply too risky to let the kids loose to roam the neighborhood playing with their friends.  Instead, the kids are encouraged to stay inside where they can be supervised and protected.

Our society has evolved immensely where technology is concerned.  We have all of the conveniences that we could possibly imagine or ask for.  Yet, we must begin to question…at what cost?

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The most popular and most widely used diet pills are those that are appetite suppressants like Phentermine and Phentramin-D.  The logic behind these is that with less hunger, there will be less calories consumed, thus resulting in weight loss.  In general, these appetite suppressants work by increasing serotonin and catecholamine levels.  These two chemicals are known to control mood and appetite.  The claim is that these supplements actually trick the body into believing it is not hungry or is full.  They can be sympathomimetics, which act similar to stimulants and raise blood pressure, thus decreasing appetite or they contain high amounts of fiber which is difficult to digest and can leave us feeling fuller for a longer period of time.

Still other dietary supplements can act as fat blockers.  These do not work on the central nervous system or brain and they do not actually burn fat that is already present in the body.  Most contain chitosan which is a natural indigestible fiber that binds to fat.  This active ingredient inhibits the enzyme lipase in the gastrointestinal tract and prevents the body from breaking down and absorbing the fat taken in through food.  The fat that is not absorbed is eliminated from the body through the stool passed in bowel movements.  Some caution should be used as these fat blockers can also affect the absorption of fat soluble vitamins which can cause some deficiencies.  There is also a tendency for some less than desirable side effects which may cause some problems in the bathroom.

Those weight loss supplements that claim to have the power of raising metabolic rate are also abundant on the market.  Also known as fat burners, these often contain a great deal of caffeine or caffeine like ingredients.  Ephedra is one example, and these pills must be used with caution as they can raise heart rate and blood pressure which can be dangerous for some people.  In fact, Ephedra or any product containing it is illegal in the U.S.  The idea behind this type of diet pill is that the stimulants in them will boost energy levels (caffeine also tends to lower the appetite), thereby encouraging the consumer to burn more energy through exercise.  It is important when trying to raise metabolic rate to eat regular meals as the body will go into starvation mode if deprived of sustenance.  This will result in a lower metabolism.

Whichever of these types of diet pills you decide is best for your purposes, it is imperative that you not rely on them solely for long-term, maintained weight loss.  While they can be great supplements, that is exactly what they are.  They must be combined with a healthy diet and a safe exercise program.  Always check with your physician before beginning a program with any diet pill or diet program to ensure your safety and health.

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The counterfeits in circulation are white oval-shaped bisected tablets with blue speckles; an “A” and “159” are embossed on them. They have been found to contain fenfluramine, another obesity drug that was formerly used in combination with phentermine more commonly known as Fen-Phen, but was taken off the market in 1997 because of its association with an increased risk of heart valve disease.

These pills can be extremely dangerous and if you find any out there report the counterfeits and any associated adverse events to the Food and Drug Administration’s Med Watch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Phentermine diet pills can only be obtained with a prescription from your doctor and should only be used while under the care of a doctor. There are many dangerous side effects associated with Phentermine and with many counterfeit around you never know what you are getting they could be cheap spinoffs or like in this case a deadly mixture that has been banned for causing numerous health issues including death.

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