Obesity Doctor Announces His New Healthy Weight Loss Group Program, The Thinderella Lifestyle Change Program
Lifestyle Change is necessary for permanent weight loss.
(PRWEB) April 27, 2005
Striving for permanent weight loss has always been the elusive factor in the dieting arena. Numerous studies demonstrate the ability of patients to lose weight using various combinations of restrictive eating with exercise. The vast majority of patients regain their weight within two years. Patients lack an inventory of “defensive eating style” techniques. Patients fail to sound a “Red Alert” when they are at only five percent regain in body weight. They continue to “yo-yo” upward toward their original weight.
The Thinderella ™ Lifestyle Change Program (TLC) will show you how to avoid falling into this precarious situation and will eventually define what permanent weight loss is all about. The TLC Program seeks to change this “yo-yo” syndrome by initiating a novel approach to the dieters’ lifestyle. This includes the “Three R’s of Behavior Modification” plus the “Defensive Red Alert System” for permanent weight loss. In weekly group meetings, led by a professional staff of nutritionist-behaviorists, you will learn Dr. Gage’s defensive eating techniques and Red Alert System that will help you achieve your weight loss goals and maintain them for the rest of your life. The group runs for fifteen weeks.
Weekly Topics include:
Slowing Down Technique Place of Eating Technique Physical Activity in everyday lifestyle Shopping and Storing Visual Cues: Modular Food, Banking, Plate, and Utensil Size Restaurant Eating Cardinal Rules of Nutrition Cognitive Techniques Alternate Activities Assertive Techniques for Sabotage
How Dr. GageÂ’s Program Works
1) Realization Phase: This comes in two forms. Patients seeking help due to an awareness of his or her obesity or the physician/health care provider becomes aware of the patient’s obesity. Awareness is key! At this phase, patients should be given their weight and BMI. Also waist to hip measurement and further evidence of metabolic problems will be found on clinical exam and lab testing. This will include Glucose Tolerance Testing and The Berkeley Lipid Profile which will define significantly the LDL particle size. We also will have the physician do Spirometry and body mass index, electrocardiogram (EKG), and Dexa bone testing. All these will demonstrate the possible co-morbidities related to the patient’s weight. This awareness will also help “motivate” patients to stay the course. The physician or health care provider should discuss all these risk factors with the patient and how diet and exercise can reverse these co-morbidities permanently.
2) Regimentation Phase: It is here where patients will learn the lifestyle patterns that help them to lose and maintain their weight. All patients will be asked to read The Thinderella Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Individualized Permanent Weight Loss by Dr. Dennis Gage. They will also be given a Pictorial CD with techniques demonstrated throughout the groupsÂ’ program.
3) Reorientation Phase: It is here where patients are truly “put to the test”. Patients will be asked to list all techniques used for weight loss. They will learn the “Gray Zone” of weight loss as opposed to the “All or None Approach”. Critically each technique will be investigated by the patient to see if they are truly patterning and positively supporting these new techniques. “Red Alert Numbers” will be assigned. Patients will learn to understand the need for diversification of techniques as some patterns can weaken or fail with time. The “Red Alert” Recall System will be fully explained to the patient.
What is the Red Alert System?
The Red Alert System that is used for The Thinderella Lifestyle Change Program is designed to prevent patients from “yo-yo’ing” after they have gone through a weight loss and maintenance phase diet program. Generally patients have successfully lost weight and have maintained the weight for weeks to months. “The Red Alert Number” is defined as the present maintenance weight plus up to three to five percent of body weight. Weight gains of three to five percent are in the “buffer zone”. The Buffer Zone is critical for the weight loss patient less he or she continually sabotage themselves with even a slight weight gain. However if patients hit the “Red Alert Number”, they are required to contact their health professional. A recorded message about the Red Alert will give you instructions in leaving a message for the physician. Patients can also email the physician with their information.
State-Of-The-Art Weight Control
Dr. GageÂ’s TLC Program has distinguished itself by its unique and scientific approach to weight control. How does the program differ from any other weight control program?
Dr. Gage emphasizes the “quality” of weight loss as opposed to mere quantity. The weight loss phase is designed to permit you to lose body fat rapidly while preserving lean tissue (muscle). The program is individualized. Dr. Gage does not provide the same diet for everyone. Dr. Gage’s Motivator diet simplifies the weight loss process and assures proper nutrition by providing high quality protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and 100% of the RDA of vitamins and minerals. The TLC Program is conducted under strict medical supervision. During your weekly visit to Dr. Gage, your progress will be carefully monitored by a professional staff of physicians and nutritionist-behaviorists. The Maintenance Phase (Week 15) is the most important phase of the program. Without initiating the Defensive Eating Techniques and The Red Alert System, the majority of patients regain weight. The Red Alert Recall System designed by Dr. Gage prevents patients from “yo-yo’ing”. All patients are given a “Red Alert Number” assignment pad and have a “Red Alert Number”. There is a physical recall of patients every one, three, or six months depending on the needs of each patient. Patients will re-establish the techniques that have worked for them in the past and will restart UltraMeal formula and behavior mod records if they have stopped doing so. In Week 2 patients are started on “Motivators”. Dr. Gage defines “Motivators” as a methodology of using “Water Wings” for weight loss. Patients need to get away from the junk food and go into a diet regimen to break the cycle. Patients are started on “Motivators” such as UltraMeal formula, burn bars, or modular foods such as Healthy Choice or Weight Watcher’s frozen dinner meals. Medications or a combination of the two may eventually be needed. Patients are actively participating in the Program. Dr. Gage shows demonstrations of slowing down techniques, pictorial CD of normal and maladaptive eating techniques, the group of patients physically go walking while wearing pedometers for ten to fifteen minutes, patients eat out at a restaurant and choose healthy foods, and patients go to a food store and learn shopping techniques.
Dr. Dennis Gage, M. D. is an Endocrinologist, Researcher, Obesity Expert, and author of The Thinderella Syndrome. He is a Clinical Attending Physician at Lenox Hill Hospital and Beth Israel Medical Center. He is a Clinical Instructor at NYU Medical School. Dr. Gage has authored articles and papers on obesity which have appeared in prestigious medical journals. He is a member of professional organizations-NAASO (North American Association for the Study of Obesity), FACP - Fellow of the American College of Physicians, NLA - National Lipid Association, ADA - American Diabetes Association, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association. Visit his websites:www. thethinderellasyndrome. com and www. theweightlossdoc. com.
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