Decoding Obesity

Last year, I had Sean Mulroney on the show, and he shared his story about how he lost over 100 pounds and got started with his personal trainer. So I thought it might be a good idea to get one of his personal trainers on the show to get her perspective on how she helped Sean and what were the challenges that she faced while training Sean.  Jamie Gilliam is an MS in exercise science. She has worked very closely with Sean and personally trained him physically to become more physically active.

Exercise is essential for our overall health. But often our body puts limitations on how much exercise we can perform and what exercises we can perform. This is especially true for people with a larger body size. Join me as I discuss this very topic with Michael Johnson. He has been a clinical exercise physiologist and currently works in a weight management medical facility that takes a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss.

Exercise is an essential part of overall health but it is also important for obesity. We had Jessica Callear on the previous episode talk about how to increase physical activity in children. We've often seen ads for gyms and other exercise programs promising the moon with all the testimonials to back them up. But what is the truth? Today, I’m happy to welcome Jessica back to the show. Together, we take a deeper look into exercise and physical activity as it pertains to obesity.

Physical activity is one of the best ways you can keep your kids active and healthy. Given how much time kids spend in school and technology, such as video games and TV, getting them to exercise after school has become a challenge for most parents. But, hey! No more worries now! With a few tricks of the trade from Jessica Callear — a certified exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and health coach with over 10 years of clinical management experience — you will be able to increase physical activity in your kids!

I'm starting a new segment on this podcast because I wanted to do something different. I'm going to call it the Journal Club. So what I want to do is get some guests on the show who are experts in their fields and talk about one particular article that may be sort of like a seminal article or something that's going to be of value to you.   The article discussed today: Ten-Year Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Who Underwent Sleeve Gastrectomy: Weight Loss, Comorbidity Resolution, Adverse Events, and Growth Velocity

Is it all in the genes? How much of obesity is caused by genetics? Does epigenetics or the environment also play a role in obesity? I came across Dr. Yeo, who is a geneticist specializing in obesity. I thought it would be great to have him on the show to discuss this further from his perspective.

For the past few episodes, we’ve been discussing obesity in children, what causes it, why it is a chronic disease that needs to be treated, the physiological, mental, and emotional implications it brings into the child and family’s life, and the different ways obesity can be managed.  Today, we’re going to chat with Drs. Jennifer Paisley and Allen Browne about metabolic and bariatric surgery as it pertains to the pediatric population.

We recently had Amelia Sherry on the podcast who shared a wealth of information on preventing disordered eating in children. She also shared that she herself has had some struggles with disordered eating in the past. Today she's here to share her personal journey through her disordered eating and how she's been able to cope with that.

Pediatric obesity is a very important topic to talk about because we want to tackle these situations early on as it will lead to healthier adults. This is why in this episode, I have Dr. Angela Fitch here with me to talk about how to manage obesity in children.

I had Amelia Sherry on my show some time back and we talked about disordered eating and how to prevent children from developing that. Well, since I am talking about childhood obesity this month, we thought it might be good to talk about how to raise a child in a larger body.

Last week, we discussed the prevalence of obesity in children as well as how to determine whether your child has overweight or obesity. Today we continue our conversation with Dr. Leigh M. Ettinger around the impacts of obesity that these children are facing and what we can do to prevent this from causing more risks.

Are you concerned about your child’s weight? The obesity epidemic is growing at an alarming rate. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile of the CDC sex-specific BMI-for-age growth charts. Dr. Leigh M. Ettinger’s nearly 17 years as a pediatric nephrologist at Hackensack University Medical Center in Northern New Jersey, he saw more and more of his patients struggling with obesity. He joins me as we discuss this very topic in depth.

Ever wondered whether these online weight loss programs actually deliver what they promise? Dr. Heather Hammerstedt, who is an Emergency Medicine physician and the founder of Wholist joins me to discuss the reality of online weight loss programs. We discuss what to look for in a program before you join.

Obesity is a complex disease and people with obesity all have their unique experiences with obesity, how they dealt with it, and if they have lost weight, how they have managed to keep it off. We’ve had a number of patients who shared their own weight loss journey but this time, I wanted to bring in a perspective of a physician to also speak about how treating obesity is not a cookie-cutter approach for every patient.

Despite the many medical advances happening in today’s day and age, there are still very few who acknowledge obesity as a disease. Hopefully, this episode will help you understand that managing obesity is not only about weight loss but overall metabolic health. We will also discuss how to choose a weight loss clinic right for you and what to expect from a good weight loss clinic.

Most people struggling with obesity have difficulty changing their habits because they have been struggling with weight all their lives. However, there comes a time in someone’s life when you decide it is time to do something about your weight.    In this episode, I chat with Jennifer Espinosa Goswami, who has suffered morbid obesity while growing up and yet managed to drop 100 pounds in one year. Her story is inspiring and proof that anyone can make healthy changes to their lifestyle at any age. Listen in to find out how she did it – and how you can, too!

Is there any difference between people who lose weight and are able to keep it off compared to those who lose weight only to gain it all back? It was with this question in mind that the National Weight Control Registry was formed. In this episode, we’re going to discuss significant findings from the National Weight Control Registry and then we’ll take a deeper dive into some of the studies on the data from the National Weight Control Registry.

You’ve seen them everywhere, the little “healthy” labels that are on the package of so many foods that we buy. But are they really healthy? Or do companies use these tricks to get us to spend more money?   Find out what the marketing industry doesn’t want you to know about these 'health halos' as I’m joined once again by my guest Prajakta Apte.

We all have seen them, but how does one interpret all the numbers on the food labels? What do they really mean for our health?  Prajakta Apte, a registered dietician, joins me on this episode to decode the nutrition labels on the back of the food packaging and helps us understand what to look for on a nutrition label.

We have discussed eating disorders in detail in the prior episodes. In today's fast paced life, disordered eating is widely prevalent. Disordered eating is certainly different from eating disorders but no less important.  Amelia Sherry is a registered dietician and someone who has worked closely and extensively with families, children and parents struggling with issues related to weight, growth, diabetes and parent/child feeding dynamics. She joins me to discuss what we as parents can do to prevent disordered eating from developing in our children.

In this episode, we get to know Jamie and her story, from when she realized she had a food addiction to how managed to recover from it, losing 240 pounds in the process, to how she is living her life now. She is a Transformative Leadership, Organizational, and Human Experience Strategist, Speaker, and Coach who thrives on guiding leaders, teams, and individuals on change, improvements in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication dynamics, and goal attainment.

Surely you have heard about Alcoholics Anonymous. But do you know about Overeaters Anonymous? In this episode, you’ll learn all about this organization founded in the 1960s, how they modeled most of the healing and recovery process for compulsive overeaters on the process of Alcoholics Anonymous. According to their website, they have about 6500 groups in over 75 countries that meet each week with 60,000 members. The OA members use the 12 steps, nine tools, and 12 traditions to support each other in recovering from unhealthy relationships with food and body image.

Our recent episodes have been all about understanding some of the eating disorders better, and I thought to bring in another certified eating disorder specialist, Rachelle Heinemann, on the podcast to shed some light on what certified eating disorder specialists do. If you suspect that you may be experiencing an eating disorder or suspect someone you know may suffer from this condition, this episode is for you.

Do you tend to overeat at night? In this episode, we discuss a lesser-known eating disorder called the night eating syndrome. If this is your first time to hear about this, you’re not alone. I’ve invited Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar back to shed more light on this disorder.   Tune in to learn more about this and see how to seek help if you suffer from this.

As my guest today says, “People of any size can have any eating disorder”. It is crucial to understand and reognize these early. I am delighted to have Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar join me for this episode to discuss Bullemia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa, two very dangerous and potentially deadly eating disorders. She is a Board-Certified physician in Pediatrics, Obesity Medicine, and Pediatric, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry. She is also a a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist.

Is weight loss really just a matter of willpower? What if your body does not respond the way you expected it to – despite trying everything everyone suggested? Today, let us delve into the topic of seeing obesity as a disease that needs to be treated, not just with diet and exercise, but sometimes even with real medications.  Dr. Alexandra Sowa joins me to discuss this very important topic. She is also a dual board-certified physician of Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, specializing in metabolic health, and is a clinical instructor of Medicine at NYU Langone.

Like green tea, drinking water is also one of the hacks, often suggested as a great way to “lose weight”. But have you ever given it a thought as to how real the benefits of drinking water are? Join me in today’s quick episode and be ready for some numbers as I lay down to you the data and evidence of how water impacts weight loss, overall health, and wellbeing.

Nissa Graun is a mom of two who had been following various mainstream diets since 12 years old. She has lost and regained the same 20 to 50 pounds repeatedly over a 20-year period. Suffering from chronic health problems like migraines, sinus infections, and cystic acne—with depression and anxiety, too—she knew she needed to make a change when she was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes after her first pregnancy. Listen in to know more about her weight loss journey and how she lost 110lbs!

When you google “How to Lose Weight?”, you would definitely find that one of those is green tea! If you are someone who has also heard of the wonders of green tea and are curious, you’d want to stop by this quick episode because I will be discussing what green tea actually does to your body and how effective it really is for weight loss.

Do weight loss supplements actually work? Is there any scientific evidence to back up claims these supplements make? Dr. Sandra Lerner joins me in this episode, as we try to demystify the tall claims these weight loss supplements make.

Mindset plays a big role in almost any process we start. The battle has to be won in the mind before it actually happens. In today’s episode, I interview Crystal Church. She has a very inspirational story about her weight loss journey, how she overcame addiction and obesity, and how she found her best accountability partner in her daughter.  Listen to her story and get inspired!!

Some still believe in the misconception that obesity is all about willpower and self-control. In this episode, find out how much do our lifestyle choices, society, and genetics play a role in the obesity pandemic. We will look at the various studies done to explore the genetic basis of obesity.

How is our thyroid function impacted by obesity and weight loss? And, how does fasting affect it? If you’ve been listening to this podcast for quite some time now, you’ve probably heard a lot already about fasting and its benefits in weight loss. However, we have never talked about thyroid function in relation to obesity! Fortunately, one of the listeners reached out to me and asked me if intermittent fasting had any impact on thyroid function.  So today, join me as I talk about thyroid function it relates to obesity, in addition to the impact of intermittent fasting on the functioning of the thyroid gland itself, if any.

People with obesity are often the subject of jokes.  Whether at school, work, home, or even in the healthcare system, it is likely that you are being treated differently because of your weight. The truth is that our society is plagued by weight bias. In today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Smith, a board-certified Obesity Medicine physician, and a life coach, to shed more light on this important topic of weight bias.

Today's guest, Jimmy Clare, has faced some tough challenges in his life. Diagnosed with autism as a child, he suffers from spinal stenosis, a very painful condition. Add do that, weight gain. This caused him to be bullied from a young age, but he has overcome all of this and is an inspiration to so many people.

Do you ever wonder why we eat three meals a day? Can you really lose weight by eating small, frequent meals? Did you know that eating more than one meal a day was considered a form of gluttony in ancient times? Find out more about how often we should eat and when to eat based on science.

This episode is an exciting one. We have a guest all the way from Perth, Australia. Graeme Currie shares his personal story of how his life has been completely transformed by Intermittent Fasting. Believe it or not, he has lost 132 pounds by Intermittent Fasting. He is the host of a very popular podcast: The Fasting Highway and has also written a book by the same name: The Fasting Highway. Join us as we learn more about him.

Adelle Davis, one of the most influential nutritionists of the 20th century talked about improving health through better nutrition. She said this famous quote, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.”  In today’s quick episode, we will be diving into the different studies conducted over the years on the impact of timing of food intake at different times during the day on our health.

People with obesity tend to suffer more often from different types of chronic pain than people who do not have obesity. Some of the well-known pain medications frequently cause further side effects. This gets us thinking: Is there any way we could relieve pain without medicine? In today’s episode, we have Dr. Sheetal DeCaria with us. She is an expert in the field of Pain Medicine and Integrative Medicine. Join us today as we tackle everything about chronic pain in obesity – what causes it, how it happens, and the different ways we could relieve it.

Marijuana has piqued the interest of the medical community for its benefits in various medical conditions. With the recent legalization of marijuana for recreational use in several states here in the US, it would be extremely helpful to dig deep into what direct impacts marijuana has on obesity. Dr. Rachna Patel, a well-known specialist in the field of cannabinoid medicine joins us to shed light on this topic.

All of us have some bad habits that we have been longing to give up but just can’t. For some of us, that bad habit is smoking. However, we hear stories of immediate weight gain after quitting, and we ask ourselves, “Is it really worth it?” If that is your question, then join us in today’s episode of the Decoding Obesity Podcast! Hopefully, by the end of this episode, you will be able to make a decision that will surely be for the best of your own health!

In today’s society, alcohol is viewed as a symbol of celebration and fun. It is normal to expect alcohol at a party, an event, or even at the end of a long day at work. But so many people and their families are suffering because of alcohol, sometimes mentally, but oftentimes physically. This led me to think about how alcohol can play a role in someone’s life, particularly with obesity. Can alcohol consumption cause weight gain? That’s what we’re going to find out today.   In this episode, you will learn to see the real face of alcoholism, how it affects people’s lives, relationships, marriages, businesses, and especially your health. Not only that, but my guests also share what they did to overcome this addiction and some very helpful tips for those who may be struggling with a similar situation.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver condition in the United States. It’s estimated that about 25 percent of adults in the U.S. have NAFLD. In today’s podcast episode, we will delve into the link between obesity and liver health with Dr. Marine Lipartia. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She has done some research on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as well and is the Founder and Medical Director of NUMEO Medical, a boutique-style obesity medicine practice offering a comprehensive and personalized approach to patients.

Are you considering or about to undertake weight loss surgery? Going under the knife is a big step and commitment to make. You must be ready to make lifestyle changes that would make your surgery a long-term success. Vera Lee Curnow is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary story to share, including her journey to undergo bariatric surgery which took her a long time to prepare for. She shares her journey till the surgery and how her life has been changing post-surgery.

Menopause can be a challenging experience for women when the body goes through a lot of hormonal changes and physical symptoms. But it may be managed if you arm yourself with the right information and take action. Bringing her expertise and experience to the table is Dr. Michelle Gordon of the Menopause Movement to discuss this in detail.

Is it safe for women to lose weight during pregnancy? What are the risks to women during pregnancy due to excess weight? Dr. Jennifer Roelands is back on the podcast to help us understand this better. Listen in to know how obesity affects pregnancy and how women can become healthier during their pregnancy.

Can you lose weight with intermittent fasting? Studies show that intermittent fasting is yet another tool in our arsenal that is effective for weight loss. However, many people find it difficult to fast. So how do you go about doing it?   In this episode, Gin Stephens shares with us her weight loss journey. Listen in to know how intermittent fasting helped her drop from 210 pounds to 130 pounds, and how she discovered the right way to fast.   Gin Stephens is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller Fast, Feast, Repeat. This was published by St. Martin’s Griffin Press and she also wrote Delay, Don't Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle, also an Amazon # 1 bestseller in the weight loss category. She has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014. This lifestyle shift allowed her to lose over eighty pounds and launch her Intermittent Fasting website, four Facebook support groups, four self-published books, and 3 top-ranked podcasts - Intermittent Fasting Stories, the Intermittent Fasting Podcast with her co-host Melanie Avalon and the Life Lessons Podcast with co-host Sherri Bullock. Gin splits her time between Augusta, Georgia, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she lives with her husband and their four cats. She is also a mother to two adult sons (and she is thankful every day for the intermittent lifestyle that makes her life easier).

You consume food that makes you feel great, gives you energy, and boosts your mood, but have you ever considered eating based on your specific body needs? Do you ever wonder if your diet aligns with your specific physiology and genetics? Does your specific physiology and genetics determine your nutrition and diet? In this episode, we’re going to find out if eating based on your genes and specific physiology has any relation or association with obesity. I’m going to walk you through conducted studies around specific gene variants, your body composition, dietary factors and see how they translate to obesity. Hopefully, we can cut through the conflicting studies and find something actionable to become healthier and prevent obesity.

In today’s episode, we will be talking all about the “Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet”. This diet has gained popularity over the last few years. Let's take a deeper dive into how it plays a huge role in the overall health of the body, and practical ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle. Dr. Nisha Patel and Dr. Disha Narang join us to explain this further. Both Board-Certified in Obesity Medicine and are currently enrolled in the same Culinary Medicine program. They both are passionate about educating their patients on practical, sustainable, lifelong, healthful eating habits. Furthermore, they both firmly believe that food is indeed medicine and a healthy diet is crucial for a healthy life.

You are probably already aware of cutting calories for weight loss. However, have you heard of the very low-calorie diet? Dr. Richard Lindquist is back on our show once again! He is one of the directors of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He is a trustee of the Washington State Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He has practiced as a full-time obesity specialist for 15 years and has now transitioned to consulting. Join me as I discuss Very-Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) as a strategy for weight loss with him.

With the rise of obesity, various diets have appeared in the 21st century, aiming to curb weight as well as improve physical performance. One of the popular approaches is the ketogenic diet - a diet high in fat and proteins and very low in carbohydrates. In today’s podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest who will discuss the rationale behind the keto diet, how it helps people with obesity manage their weight loss, several misconceptions about the keto diet, his experiences in his years of teaching and helping people with this nutritional approach, and his expert opinion on the various studies on the ketogenic diet.

Man has always had a quest to improve his health and life. Ayurveda is one of the prominent ancient systems of medicine that was developed in India. There were no clinical trials at that time, but a keen eye for observing various phenomena. Our guest for today will be sharing with us her interest in Ayurveda and how its principles have completely changed her life.   Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa, a board-certified physician and wears many other hats. She is also a yoga instructor, reiki master who has had a lifelong interest in mindful living as a basis for the long-term vitality of mind, body, and spirit. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at The Mayo Clinic in 2005 and is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Hospice/Palliative Medicine. She studied the ayurvedic system of medicine thoroughly, after completing her training in allopathic medicine giving her a deep understanding of the same. Dr. Khalsa is currently supporting physicians who want to expand their personal understanding of the new ways of healing through an experiential process— utilizing techniques in Ayurveda, yoga, mindfulness, and plant-based nutrition.

Our guest on this episode has experienced obesity at close quarters. He suffered from it for all of his childhood and teenage years. But, when he got his calling to lose weight, he tweaked his lifestyle which gave him amazing results. He lost a whopping 140 lbs! How has he achieved this, you may ask? Listen to this episode to find out!   Chef Gino West, the owner of a meal preparation company called Prepped Wellness. Prepped Wellness is a meal-prep company operating in Youngstown, Ohio with a mission to deliver healthy and fresh meals to its customers.

In our previous episode, we have tackled fiber, but we were also able to take a glimpse into its relationship with our gut bacteria. Well, what is the gut microbiome and how does it impact our health? Our gut (gastrointestinal tract) definitely plays a big part in our overall health and that’s what we’re about to dive deeper into on today’s episode!   What we eat certainly nourishes us, but it also nourishes the vast amount of microbes present in our gut. Because of the diversity and the huge ‘community’ these microbes build, it is almost as if there is an ecosystem within each one of us. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Supriya Rao, a gastroenterologist in the Greater Boston Area. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine. She has a very keen interest in the gut microbiome.

According to the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the daily fiber intake of Americans is inadequate. We all have heard about the importance of fiber at some point in time. In this episode, we take a deep dive into how fiber works, its different types, and how it actually benefits our overall health. Dr. Richa Mittal, who is a board-certified physician in Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine joins me to discuss this at length.

Our diets can have a big role to play in obesity and but what about the effect of food on cardiovascular health? Health begins with the food we eat. Our arteries are the highways on which the blood transports oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body. Atherosclerosis is the process of fat and cholesterol deposition in our arteries which can impede this essential process. Our very special guest shares her thoughts on how diet can impact atherosclerosis.

When you hear the word ‘obese’, what do we usually think of? When you encounter people suffering from obesity, what thoughts come to you? Do you see them as suffering from a disease that needs medical treatment or do you see them as people who are lazy, who lack willpower, and can’t do anything in life? Today’s guest is going to bust these myths today. Sean Mulroney has seen some exceedingly difficult times in his life translating to his weight gain, but he has come out stronger on the other side. He hosts a podcast called The Obesity Revolution and runs a program with his personal trainer to help people in a similar situation. Through his podcast, he tries to spread awareness about obesity to others.

Sleep is such an essential part of living. We spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping, and for good reason! Can you even imagine going a full day without sleep? We already know what sleep deprivation does to us mentally and physically. Unfortunately, sleep has taken a backseat in our fast-paced lives. It has become something people take for granted. Sleep is important for us, not just for our cognition but also for our overall health. It is especially important in obesity and weight loss. To tell us more about how sleep affects our overall health and how sleep deprivation relates to obesity, we have with us, Dr. Smitha Patel.    Dr. Smitha Patel is Board certified in Neurology, Sleep Medicine, and Integrated Medicine. She has launched iNeuro Institute which provides services in Integrative Neurology and sleep education.

How do you like the idea of cooking an amazing meal for your significant other without breaking the bank this Valentine’s day? Dr. Sarita Golikeri is a Family Medicine physician and also certified in Culinary Medicine. Dr. Golikeri consults with patients on managing and preventing conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol through diet and nutrition. Join us as we discuss how you can cook great meals that are healthy and do not break the bank!

Do you normally pay attention to what sequence you eat your meal in? What would happen if you reversed the sequence? In the last episode, we did touch a bit on how meal sequencing affects the blood sugar spikes in our bodies. Today, we discuss this particular topic in depth. Tune in to this episode as we dive a little deeper into the science behind meal sequencing.

Sugar is an ingredient every single person on Earth probably knows about—from the babies up to the elderly. We have always known its familiar taste, the comfort it brings, and are even aware of its negative effects on our body. Today, more and more people from different walks of life are having issues with their blood sugar shooting up and their diabetes becoming a hindrance to a comfortable and healthy everyday life. In this episode, we will discuss two terms associated with carbohydrates and obesity— glycemic index and glycemic load.

As the new year starts, we find ourselves beaming with hope and excitement as we fill our notebooks with a goal after goal. However, one thing people often overlook is the question, ‘How can I make sure I keep moving towards my goal?’ Accountability is the answer. Without this, we might, more often than not, sidetrack from our goals and find ourselves repeatedly failing and being disappointed. Just as having goals is important, having accountability is equally important.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes its dietary guidelines once every 5 years. The first dietary guidelines came about in 1977. How have they changed over the years? How did we move into the low-fat era? Even the latest guidelines have been fraught with controversies. Tune in to this episode to know this and a lot more about the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

In today’s episode, we will be talking about the life of a doctor who was naturally fit and following the principles of healthy living until he suddenly found himself gaining more and more unhealthy pounds before he realized it. Dr. Mark Chavez is a medical doctor and entrepreneur. We were able to connect through LinkedIn and I came across his book: The 5 Habits of Healthy People. His story really resonated with me, so I decided to bring him on to share it with all of us too. He is also the mastermind behind the device called the Gravity Ball®. Join us in this fun and interesting conversation as we talk more about healthy living in greater detail!   Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

New year, new me. If you’re familiar with this phrase, chances are you’ve already heard someone say it, or you’ve actually uttered these words yourself. There’s just something about the New Year that makes you want to have a fresh start and become a better version of yourself. But if you’re anyone like me, you also know the struggle of trying to set goals and getting all fired up on January 1st, but then come January 15th, you find yourself losing steam and not seeing results. So, you give up and quit on your goals altogether. Should this really be the case year after year? Is there a way you could actually achieve the goals you set every year?  Join me and my three special guests as we talk about how goal-setting the right way can set yourself up for success! Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Wondering, “will meal planning will work for me?” It’s almost the end of 2020, and 2021 is fast approaching. This is the perfect time to give yourself a pat on the back for accomplishing a lot of things this year despite the situation. This may be the year you took up new hobbies, took time to take care of your own needs, and perhaps even got your nutrition and fitness in order. However, not all of us may feel like we truly made the most out of this year, especially if we didn’t meet our expectations or achieve some goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of this year. I thought to myself, 'How can I help you in achieving the goal of eating healthy as we head into the new year?' It obviously had to be something that is simple and sustainable. I think meal planning would be the best way to start your new year with a bang. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Our eating habits are such an integral part of our identity. All of us have specific likes and dislikes. Does the chemistry of the food we eat have a role to play in this? Food addiction remains a controversial medical diagnosis. Dr. Joan Ifland, who specializes in food addiction sheds light on this. She received her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies with a specialization in Addictive Nutrition from the Union Institute & University. She is also the author of the popular book—Sugars and Flours: How They Make Us Crazy, Sick, and Fat and What to Do About It. She is currently developing online approaches to recovery from food addiction at www.foodaddictionreset.com and has a highly active group called Food Addiction Education on Facebook—both of which we'll be talking about with her. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

For a long time already, counting daily steps has been quite a thing. There is a sense of fulfillment after reaching that 10,000-step goal you set and seeing all those burned calories on your pedometer. But is there any scientific basis behind why this 10,000-step goal gained so much popularity over the years when it is just like all other activities such as walking, jogging, and running? Does it really produce amazing results in a short period of time? In today’s episode, I will be discussing further what this 10000 steps goal really does to our body and why it is deemed effective by many who have tried it. Get the cheat sheet here Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Karlijn Burridge is a nationally recognized expert in obesity medicine. She is comprehensively trained in medical obesity treatment, as well as in bariatric surgery. Karlijn is a Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association. She is a co-author of the Obesity Algorithm® and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Obesity Society. She has developed a number of successful weight management programs in a variety of health settings. She has received multiple awards for her work in expanding the field of obesity medicine and in furthering obesity education for health care providers. She is also the founder and owner of Gaining Health, which is a company she developed to support health care providers who want to incorporate obesity medicine into practice, as well as providing education and support for people who are impacted by obesity. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Traditionally, Thanksgiving began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It is a time when family members travel from far and wide to get together and celebrate. Like many of us, the food is usually what we look forward to as the holiday approaches. We think about the turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pie for dessert. However, do we realize that we’ve gone a little too shallow only thinking about those things for Thanksgiving? How do we shift from a ‘feast-mindset’ to a healthier one? Let’s figure that out in today’s episode! Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Lisa Tharler is a hospitalist and a mom of 3. She shares her story of how her weight got out of control after her third pregnancy and how she managed to lose most of it. She also shares some valuable tips on how to get started with being physically active. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Maria Maldonado is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is a primary care physician, and is board certified in obesity medicine. Her research and clinical interests are in cross-cultural care and health care disparities, implicit bias, medical education, and the delivery of patient-centered care. She joins me to share her weight loss journey and discusses how it all started with a change in her mindset. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Samantha Harris is an Endocrinologist at the Scripps Center for Weight Management in San Diego, California. She is certified in Obesity Medicine and specializes in both weight loss as well as the treatment for diabetes. She discusses her weight loss journey and how going keto made things worse for her. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Erin Saltzman discusses sexual health in men as it relates to obesity. Dr. Saltzman is a board-certified Endocrinologist. She is currently in the process of getting her certification in Obesity Medicine as well. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Melissa Choi is a board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine physician. She and her husband reside in Minnesota with their 3 young daughters.   She recently started The Mom Plate to help other busy moms with getting kids to eat healthily. While her website is still under construction, you can subscribe to get notified once it is active. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

I welcome back Dr. Erin Saltzman to discuss the issue of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and female fertility as it relates to obesity. Dr. Saltzman is a board certified Endocrinologist who is passionate about treating patients suffering from obesity and PCOS.  Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Angela Fitch is board certified in obesity medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. She is currently the Associate Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center and a faculty at the Harvard Medical School.  She currently is serving as Vice President of the Obesity Medicine Association and previously served as Secretary/Treasurer and a trustee. She was the 2015-2016 chair of the clinical management section of The Obesity Society. Dr. Fitch is the winner of the 2017 Clinician of the Year Award from the Obesity Medicine Association. She was recently on my podcast discussing meal replacements but today she is here to share with us her weight loss journey. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

I discuss the concept of mindfulness in eating with Dr. Michelle Thompson to explore how it can help with weight loss. Dr. Thompson is board certified in Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Family Medicine. She is a Faculty for the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, is the Chair of Medicine UPMC Horizon, and also a physician advisor for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Holistic Healing Center in Farmington, Pennsylvania.   Dr. Thompson has developed a Free Healthy Living Series, where she lectures and provides experiential opportunities to anyone in the community seeking knowledge in integrative modalities. She has been active in teaching the whole food plant-based diet to people in her community, creating cooking programs with a local chef and dietician, for eating to reverse disease. She runs many programs and workshops to help people lead healthy lives.   You can find out more about her programs at https://www.bewelltherapies.org/ or on Facebook Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Maneesha Ahluwalia is a Certified Life Coach and Board Certified Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine physician. After miscarriages and more miscarriages, she was given the simultaneous diagnoses of infertility, overweight, pre-diabetic, insulin resistance, PCOS, hypothyroidism, Vitamin D, and Iron deficiency by her reproductive endocrinologist, and she was determined to get into better health. She achieved and maintains her weight loss through food and lifestyle changes. Her why and her mindset continue to fuel her actions and results: no yo-yo dieting since she started her weight loss journey in 2017. She shares her story for others to know that they are not alone. She offers coaching around urges, desires, cravings, and weight loss and can be reached via email: maneesha17@gmail.com, Instagram, or on Facebook Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

What are meal replacement products? Do they work for weight loss, or are they a scam? When can they be helpful? Which ones should you buy? All these and many more questions answered in today's episode with Dr. Angela Fitch. Dr. Angela Fitch is board certified in obesity medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. She is currently the Associate Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center and a faculty at the Harvard Medical School. She began the practice of obesity medicine at the University of Minnesota, treating children with obesity. In 2012, Dr. Fitch became the medical director for the Metabolic Health and Weight Management Clinic at Park Nicollet and began practicing obesity medicine full time. Dr. Fitch moved back to Cincinnati to create a multidisciplinary medical surgical weight center. There she was also appointed medical director of the Executive Health Program and Vice President of Primary Care before moving to Boston. She currently is serving as Vice President of the Obesity Medicine Association and previously served as Secretary/Treasurer and a trustee. She was the 2015-2016 chair of the clinical management section of The Obesity Society. Dr. Fitch is the winner of the 2017 Clinician of the Year Award from the Obesity Medicine Association. Dr. Fitch enjoys seeing patients of all ages to help them reach their weight and wellness goals. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and outdoor activities with her husband and son and looks forward to exploring New England. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Dr. Hang Tran is board certified in obesity medicine and family medicine.  She also minored in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology in college after her "freshman fifteen" experience.  She is a marathon enthusiast and a firm believer in nutrition and fitness to attain wellness and to prevent chronic medical conditions.  She is currently based in Orange County, CA.  She had worked as a primary care physician in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.  Dr. Tran plans to focus her time providing individual and group-based weight management consultations.  She takes pride in helping patients reach their new weights and fitness goals.  She is active on LinkedIn and Instagram and you can follow her there. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Meditation has long been purported to have several health benefits. Science is now revealing that it may have a role in the management of obesity as well.  I am joined by Dr. Yashoda Bhaskar who is a certified Vipassana meditation teacher to discuss this further. We discuss common questions and doubts people often have about meditation and while we are at it, she does a live meditation session to help you get started and get over the initial inhibition.  Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Marc Summa is a math coach at Mango Elementary School in Seffner, Florida. He is also a founding member of UNICO of Greater Tampa Bay – an Italian-American organization – with a focus on “Service Above Self”.   UNICO fundraises throughout the year to provide scholarship opportunities for graduating High School Seniors of Italian-American heritage. He joins me to share his weight loss journey. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Lung diseases are sometimes not only more severe but also more difficult to manage in patients suffering from obesity. We discuss this with Dr. Jaskaran Sethi. Dr. Sethi is fellowship-trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and is currently pursuing further training in Interventional Pulmonology at the University of Utah. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

In any journey, support and motivation are critical to not lose sight of the goal. Personal stories from people who have taken the journey certainly helps. Dr. Erin Saltzman, who is an Endocrinologist by profession, mom of 2 shares her story. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Our lives are busier than ever. Does it make sense to still cook in this day and age with so many quick and easy options available all around? Let's find out. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Creating a food diary is often tedious and doesn't seem to be the best use of time. But is this the case? Is there more to it than just time spent writing a food journal? Let's explore.  Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Weight loss is a difficult journey. Believe it or not, your body fights you every step of the way. Your weight plateau may have more to do with your biology than your will power. We look at this in greater detail. A deeper understanding of this might help you in your path to successful weight loss. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Food addiction: a myth or a fact? We discuss the science of hyper-palatable foods and how they modulate our neuro-biology to crave these foods. We explore how the food industry uses this science to its advantage. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Binge eating disorder is one of the most common eating disorders and is often a cause of overeating and obesity. People suffering from this disorder have an uncontrollable urge to eat leading to binging episodes. We discuss this in detail with Dr. Anuneet Sabharwal who is one of India's leading psychiatrists. He is also one of the most followed psychiatrists on social media in India. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Various cancers are to be closely linked to obesity. Obesity also has ramifications on the management of various cancers. We discuss this intricate relationship in detail with Dr. Sonam Puri.  Dr. Puri is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine at the University of Utah. Her area of expertise is the treatment of thoracic malignancies. Her research interests include clinical research in thoracic malignancies, with emphasis on immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and other novel treatment strategies for non-small and small cell lung cancer. She is an active member of various national and international organizations including the Lung Cancer Disease Center of Excellence at the Huntsman cancer institute, the American Society of Medical Oncology, Southwest Oncology Group, Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer, and International Association of study of lung cancer. She also serves on the National Network Clinical guideline panel for small cell lung cancer. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Stress and Obesity are intricately related. In this episode, we discuss this inter-relationship and how to tackle this. Dr. Shirly Ramchandani is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine.  During her twenty-year career in primary care, she managed many patients with obesity and related complications. She is also trained as a Health and Wellness and a Culinary Coach. Apart from her private practice doing weight management, she spends part of my clinical time at Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at MGH. She is a part-time instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is also on the faculty for the CHEF Coaching Program at the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine in Boston. Kindly check out her website: www.SmartLifestylesMD.com and her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SmartLifestylesMD/ Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

This pandemic has drastically changed our lives and has definitely disrupted our daily routine. We all know that our daily routine is essential in maintaining successful weight loss, and even slight changes can tip the balance in the wrong direction. Having our plans stalled and just the feeling of being limited by this pandemic have put immense stress on all of us. There seems to be an association between obesity and COVID-19. Join me in this episode as we take a look at the interplay between the two and what we can do further in this kind of situation. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Does this concept of 'calorie in, calorie out' hold true? In this episode, we will discuss how important calorie counting is in weight management. I discuss this with Dr. Raman Ashta in today's episode. She is a board-certified physician in Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is currently practicing in Central Florida and is passionate about helping patients with chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity through lifestyle changes. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

The NHANES 2005-2010 survey showed that 43% of adults with depression were suffering from obesity, and adults with depression were more likely to have obesity than adults without depression. Learning this, we know that depression and obesity could be so closely interlinked. In today’s episode, join us as we discuss the complexities of this with Dr. Anuneet Sabharwal. He is one of India’s leading psychiatrists and also one of the most followed psychiatrists on social media in India. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Now, you might be considering how should you get started on your ‘intermittent fasting’ journey. Curious to find out? In this episode, we’ll be talking about the basics of intermittent fasting and how you can actually jumpstart your way to a healthier you. In the last two episodes, we talked about the science behind intermittent fasting—how it works in our body and how it affects our system. We also talked about its benefits, the different studies showing how it can improve our overall health, and the diseases intermittent fasting could prevent. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Intermittent fasting has become one of the most popular food trends for losing weight over the years. But as you've learned from part one of our series, it is not just another fad diet, but a way of eating where you restrict food for a period of hours every day and eat at a shortened window of time. Many celebrities, health professionals, and fitness enthusiasts have been raving nonstop about intermittent fasting because of its overall physical and mental health benefits. But is there more to intermittent fasting that science can tell us, and does it truly live up to the hype? Let us find out. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Intermittent fasting is a powerful tool if used the right way. It has been used as therapy for obesity as well, as early as 1915. People have tried fasting as a treatment modality for diabetes as well, prior to the currently available medications. There are certain misconceptions about fasting, which we discuss in this episode. Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

We discuss the different body measurements that can be used to assess and manage obesity. People often get fixated on the bodyweight itself, whereas it may not always be the most accurate measure of your obesity or your health. There are certainly other interesting measurements that we’ll talk about, that may be of benefit and of great value with regards to obesity. Let's dive in! Head to www.decodingobesity.com for show notes and more information! Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn