A moderately occupied gym, a friendly scale, and a friggin' cold jog made for a... Well, let's just say that two out of three made for an awesome way for the day to begin.
There has been recent news coverage touting surgery as a cure for diabetes. I'm thinking it's more a side effect of resultant weight loss- as does a doctor quoted in this linked article.
I have two friends that underwent weight-loss surgery and both experienced remarkable results. I don't know exactly how much they lost but visually they are mere fractions of their former selves. I also don't know whether or not either had diabetes but both said the surgery dramatically changed their lives--- in the way they ate. No longer could they gorge themselves with large meals. They had to eat comparatively tiny portions more frequently throughout the day; eating more than just a few ounces caused heartburn and discomfort and they had to eat more often to keep their blood sugar level and avoid hunger pangs. They continue this surgery-forced behavior still and are looking pretty thin.
Now I'm thinking that another side effect this type of surgery is a behavior modification requiring the patient to eat small meals more often resulting in dramatic weight loss. Hmm. And dramatic weight loss can cure diabetes? So, is it possible to cure diabetes and avoid surgery by jumping directly to the behavior modification? What I gather from the article is that the weight loss has to be significant. Those in the study lost more than 20% of their body weight and 7 inches from their waistline and for 73% of them, their diabetes was cured.
I haven't had diabetes and I haven't had surgery. I have modified my eating habits to be similar to those who've had the surgery and thus far have lost more than 20% and 7" from the middle of the old body. I don't want surgery and I don't want diabetes so I think I'll keep on with what I've been doing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Steve, I am enjoying reading your story and hearing about your progress. I have a friend who went under the knife and lost an incredible amount of weight. Go back and look at these people 5-10 years from now. Their stomach stretches back out again and they start to blow up to original size. Eating small is not enough. Check out my blog entries for You On A Diet . . . Again
Why Diets Fail
I have known a few people who have had weight loss surgery, and they have actually developed a NEW eating disorder because of it. Previous to the surgery, they were compulsive overeaters. After the surgery, almost every single one of them has developed anorexia or bulimia. It's really a shame. I fell into the belief that... wow! No effort required and magic major weight loss!!! But then I realized, losing weight like that will never teach anyone long lasting healthy lifestyle habits.