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It never hurts to start off with a few simple truths. If it was easy to lose weight by eating less, there would be no obesity. If exercise burns off unwanted pounds, everyone would get off their couches and lose those potatoes. But life is never straightforward when it comes to losing weight and, more importantly, preventing the pounds from sneaking back when we are not looking. So what’s the problem? The Jesuits have a saying, “Give me the boy until the age of seven, and I will give you the man.” Put another way, as we grow up, we are surrounded by role models and authority figures who show us and instruct us on how to fit in and live our lives successfully. This so-called socialization process is largely complete by the age of seven. We have absorbed all the social rules for fitting into our culture and it takes a major effort to unlearn all these habits later in life.

So what’s the problem? Well, here comes another simple truth. The portion sizes sold as suitable for children in the US are the same as the adult portions in Europe. The portion given to adults in the US would feed an entire family in many other parts of the world. But, by the time we are seven, our expectations have been set. The eyes see the amount everyone eats as normal. The stomach is trained to accept this quantity – anything less and hunger pangs make life uncomfortable. So, if as an adult, someone tells you to eat less, you are being advised to act in a way that strikes you as fundamentally abnormal. You will suddenly stand out in social activities as the person who asks for less food when visiting friends for a meal or when ordering food in a fast food outlet. Even if you accept the label of eccentric, then comes the hunger pangs and your morale crumbles. Your mind may be strong, but your body betrays you. Read more…

It’s not so hard to admit the risks associated with your high body weight. Wherever you look, the medical evidence of a link between excessive weight and high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease is obvious. Unlike climate change where there are doubts about the science, you put your health at risk if you allow those additional pounds to stay on your body. Except what is easy to say is difficult to act in in the cold, hard light of day. Let’s face it, if losing weight was easy, most people would do it. The fact that the majority put a brave face on things and continue life as best they can is an indication of just how difficult it is to diet.

Why is eating less so difficult? It all comes from childhood. From the beginning, we see adults packing away large quantities of food. The portions put in front of us are big, so we adjust to eating more. By the time we grow into adults, we are conditioned to eat more and habits are hard to break. That’s what may make gastric surgery look an attractive option. You go into hospital. A band or staples are inserted to physically limit the amount you can pack into your stomach. No matter what your eyes may tell you, you will be full after just a few regular mouthfuls. Nature then takes over and your body will now burn the stored fat as energy. After six months, you can be back to a thin body shape. But life is not easy. While you are adjusting to eating less food, you will feel some discomfort. Read more…

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