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The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: Time to Get Serious

December 26, 2012 - 0 Comments »

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, healthy and loving Christmas.  I know for some the “seasonal affective disorder” symptoms start occurring around the time the holiday decorations get put away.  When this low mood occurs, it is dark early outside, etc,. the tendency is to reach for food sources to help assuage these negative feelings.  You must “mentate” through these thoughts and behaviors and realize that eating high caloric food sources only will add to the negative feelings. Think:  ”spring coming soon, warmer weather, longer days and then swimsuit season follows.”  Make certain you have a “Plan B”, meaning some exercise you can do when your usual “Plan A” is wal

The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: Happy Holiday

December 24, 2012 - 0 Comments »

This sounds really hokey, corny or whatever word is best to describe it, but this is the truth:  I feel, in small part, that the efforts of the Serotonin-Plus Team help many, many families enjoy a better holiday season because we work very hard to keep you healthier and happier.  And because of that, I consider myself the luckiest physician in the country.  The joy and love that you all experience can be jaded by illness and pain.  I hope that all of you have a great holiday, do the best you can to maintain control of your quest to become healthier and always know that the SP Team and I are here for you if you need our help.  Love, Robert Posner, M.D.

The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: The Snowball Effect

December 22, 2012 - 0 Comments »

Two pounds of weight gain can quickly turn to 4, 4 then turns to 8, 8 to 16 and before you can blink an eye, 30-plus pounds of weight can go right back on.  I call this ‘The Snowball Effect” meaning that when a snowball runs down the hill it gets bigger and bigger.  How do we stop this?  By monitoring the weight once a wee, writing it down and then having a plan as to how to reverse a small weight gain immediately.  This vigilance and reaction will cause you never to see the again the significant weight you lost.

The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: Weight and Optimism

December 21, 2012 - 0 Comments »

Twixt Optimism and Pessimism, the Difference is Droll

The Optimist Sees the Donut, The Pessimist the Hole

Okay, that is a poem I remember laughing at when I was a child.  But this small poem, and statements such as “optimists see the glass half-full, pessimists half empty” imply that people vary in their views of the same situations.  Some people view the future in a very pessimistic mode, believing that our country is spiraling down economically, socially etc.  Others feel that our nation’s future is very bright, with a better standard of living, better wealth etc.  Do you see yourself as an “optimist” or “pessimist’?  And depending on this viewpoint, does this have an effect on your dietary patterns?  I believe the answer is “yes”, even if you do not realize it.  When we see ahead of us a grandiose future, we will all be more apt to take the steps necessary to ensure our health is maintained so we can partake of this rosy future.  However, the pessimist may go into the “what does it even matter?” mindset, meaning that the person should do the immediately gratifying behaviors because essentially, who cares about this nasty future ahead?  How does one change over from a pessimist to an optimist?  I don’t believe I have an answer for this.  Personally, when I encounter stressful situations or negative ones, I try to focus on all the great things and people in my life and that often changes my mindset.

The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: Offending Others

December 20, 2012 - 0 Comments »

First, Faye, thanks for the comment.  Yesterday I had several patients tell me the difficult nature of following the SP Plan during the holiday season.  Most of us have/will be attending a number of holiday functions and at the centerpiece of all of these functions are alcohol and derailing food sources.  Patients are telling me how difficult it is to be the one person NOT eating/drinking these caloric sources, especially while being implored by others to do just that.  Some of the “caving in” is because of the desire not to offend the host or others at the event.  Worried about offending others?  What if they were imploring you to step in front of a moving train?  Please keep in mind that it is YOUR health at stake, and anyone around you that can see you have a weight control problem and STILL implores you to join the caloric eat/drink-fest is not really a true friend.  A real friend will support your efforts.  Do NOT be concerned about offending anyone during your quest to become healthier and happier.  It should be offensive to you if someone around you tries to derail your efforts.