It's time for cooking class again!
On Tuesday December 1, Clarian Bariatrics will hold a cooking class with dietician Annessa Chumbley. The event will be held at our outpatient clinic located at 6640 Intech Boulevard, Suite 300 - Indianapolis from 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
The class will be holiday themed and will have foods that will work on Liver Reduction Plan as well as post-surgical Diets. Please RSVP to achumble@clarian.org or call 317-275-7015. Please leave your name, phone number, and how many people will be attending.
Besides delicious ideas, all attendees will receive a special gift!
At the October 6th Protein Taste Test, several patients had some great ideas and tips to share!
- Add a Carb Master yogurt from Kroger to your protein supplement or Carnation Instant Breakfast. This adds 12 additional grams of protein and can change the flavor of a plan vanilla supplement.
- Add sugar free extracts, sugar free jello, or sugar free pudding to your supplements. They can change the taste entirely!
- Ready to drink supplements are great for when you go back to work. Have some at home and at work.
- If you use a blender to mix your supplement, let it sit out a while so it won’t be so frothy!
- If something tastes too sweet, add milk to it to thin it out.
- Isopure tastes better when mixed with Crystal Light.
You’ll never know what you may learn at Support Group! Come check it out!
I came across this article in the
New York Times and found some very startling statistics that worth repeating. The first few paragraphs are below and the full text can be found by clicking the link.
While Congress searches for ways to slow the growth of health care spending, a new study suggests that its efforts may be overwhelmed by the surging prevalence of obesity.
The report, to be issued Tuesday, projects that if current trends continue 103 million American adults will be considered obese by 2018. That would be 43 percent of adults, compared to 31 percent in 2008, according to the research by Kenneth E. Thorpe of Emory University, an authority on the cost of treating chronic disease.
Mr. Thorpe concluded that the prevalence of obesity is growing faster than that of any other public health condition in the country’s history. Health care costs related to obesity — which is associated with conditions like hypertension and diabetes — would total $344 billion in 2018, or more than one in five dollars spent on health care, if the trends continue. If the obesity rate were held to its current level, the country would save nearly $200 billion a year by 2018, according to the study.
Are you looking for a way to get some exercise in this weekend?
Walk the Talk will be getting together for the last charity walk of the season. Come join us as we participate in the St. Jude Children’s Research 5K on Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. The walk will be held at Northwestway Park located at 5253 W 62nd St, Indianapolis 43268. This walk will be a paved path that is 1.6 miles long. It is a beautiful park that will make a great location during this time of year!
By walking in this 5K event, we can help the doctors and researchers at St. Jude find lifesaving cures for desperately ill children in communities everywhere. By walking, we can bring hope to the patients and families that walk through the doors of St. Jude everyday in search of a cure.
If you would like to join us in this cause, please sign up on our
team page, and click on Sign up to Walk. During your registration, it will ask you to “Join a Team”---look for our Clarian Bariatrics Walk the Talk team! Everyone who joins the team will receive a free Walk the Talk t-Shirt! We hope to see you there! Feel free to call me at 317-275-7017 if you have questions
Check out a recent article from the Indianapolis Star that features a few quotes by our very own Anessa!
Experts weigh in on growing trend toward use of supplementsIndianapolis Star - Indianapolis,IN,USA
... that fat burners work or if they are safe to take over a long period of time," said Annessa Chumbley, registered dietitian with Clarian Bariatrics. ...
Last week at support group we discussed “Planning a Healthy Holiday” and how to stay focused during this time of year. I’d like to share a Daily Inspiration by Katie Jay that relates to that topic!
Think the Bite Through…
If you are a WLS patient who wants to avoid unhealthy snacking, change your focus and think the snack through. Before you take that first unhealthy bite, think about how will create guilt and anxiety-how it will cause you to lose some of the self respect you’ve gained since having WLS. Consider how it will feel to lose your newfound freedom, your ability to move, the pleasure of having enough energy to be productive.
It’s hard sometimes to make yourself think about the consequences of your actions, but if you are going to have long-term success you might want to start thinking the bite through.
Action for the day: Today, if you find yourself reaching for an unhealthy bite, think it through. What will be the short and long-term consequences?
Do you ever wonder what you’re missing? At our “On Track” group for patients greater than one year post-op last week, we talked about breakfast ideas! When each patient was asked what their favorite breakfast was, the most common response was oatmeal! What a great choice! Oatmeal is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates! They recommended trying pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for variety.
Richard Menning, a regular support group attendee gave his egg recipe he makes up ahead of time.
- Spray 12 muffin tins with non stick cooking spray.
- Brown 1 pound of breakfast turkey sausage. Chop an onion, green pepper. Add to turkey sausage. Saute. Add to muffin tins.
- Beat 8 eggs and add 1-2 ounces of milk. Pour over sausage/vegetable mixture.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake at 350 for 23 minutes! Eat immediately or freeze for later!
Looking for more ideas? Plan on attending our “On Track” Group that meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the
Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic. See you there!
I just wanted to post a video from one of our many success stories, Brook. She was kind enough to share her story with the Indianapolis area by being featured in Clarian Bariatrics commericals. Brook is a great example of how weight loss surgery can change your life.
If you would like to learn more about the bariatric surgery process, please come listen to one of our Indianapolis-based surgeons discuss treatment options and much more at a FREE informational seminar. Dates, times and the ability to RSVP can be found by
clicking here.
Okay, this title immediately stuck out at me. After reading the article, I think the theory makes perfect sense. It's similar to the studies that prove talking to a fetus or listening to classical music can make a profound impact on learning later in life. What do you think? The first few paragraphs are below and full text can be found by
clicking here.
When Kathy Perusse had weight-loss surgery and shed 120 pounds, she may have done more than make her own life easier.
She went on to have two daughters, and she may have boosted their chances of avoiding becoming obese, like her two older children are.
That's the implication of research suggesting that something in an obese woman's womb can program her fetus toward becoming a fat child and adult. It's not about simply passing along genes that promote obesity; it's some sort of still-mysterious signal.
The idea has only recently entered conversations between doctors and female patients, and scientists are scrambling to track down a biological explanation. That knowledge, in turn, may provide new ways to block obesity from crossing generations.
Sometimes it is difficult to find time to cook and prepare meals. Meals can be quick and simple. You just need to have easy convenience foods to use when you’re pressed for time. Fill your pantry and refrigerator with those foods and you can put meals together in a snap!
Breakfast is grab and go for most people. Try having string cheese, low calorie turkey sausage, instant oatmeal and yogurt available in the refrigerator.
For lunch, try a variety of foods. Have a variety of Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine meals so you can microwave them in a pinch. Lean lunchmeat can be a great, tasty protein source. Try a meat and cheese roll up around a pickle or celery stalk. Pre cut and chopped fresh vegetables and fruit can be more expensive, but are worth it if you are pressed for time. Dip them in hummus or a low cal dip.
Dinners can be quick and healthy as well! Buy bagged salad mix and top with pre cooked grilled chicken. Add a low fat salad dressing and you will be set. Grill meats ahead of time and freeze. You can then just pop them in the microwave when you need them. Try a scrambled egg or omelet for breakfast for something different.
If you’re looking for new recipes, plan on attending cooking class on December 1 at 6 p.m. at the outpatient clinic. The class is FREE, but please call 317-275-7015 to register.
I am a firm believer of following the program guidelines but I am not perfect,
I am human and I will make mistakes. I have made myself very aware of the consequences of what happens when I venture off the beaten path.
I have a “healthy” fear of dumping and hope that fear stays with me for a long time.
Reality has shown me that some people will never understand or support my decision to have Bariatric surgery and I have chosen to be at peace with that.
I want people to know that Bariatric surgery is no way the easy way out in fact it’s quite the opposite. This is a lifelong lifestyle change that takes hard work and dedication. This surgery not only affects me but also those closest to me.
No matter how much research I did before surgery, nothing could ever truly prepare me for the life changing events it would bring to me physically, mentally and spiritually.It takes 20 minutes for my head to catch up with my stomach. Slowing down to eat in this fast past world is challenging but a necessary part of my weight loss journey.
Learning to put myself first and take care of ME is still something I struggle with but strive to accomplish daily.
No Bariatric patient is a perfect mirror image of me. We are all very individual people with different experiences but seem to have the unspoken understanding of what the other has gone through.
No matter what my physical size or shape is, people will always have an opinion and the only one that truly matters is MINE!! What’s most important is how I feel about myself!
If it wasn’t for the love and support of my family and friends I would not be the person I am today.
When searching for a weight loss program, the first place to start is by asking your family physician for a recommendation. Your doctor should be able to provide you with several options for programs that other patients have found to be successful.
Ideally, you should do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions, and find a weight loss program that you are comfortable with (even excited about participating in!)
Here are the basic things you should consider when researching weight loss programs:
- How much weight do you wish to lose? Your program should encourage you to set realistic and attainable goals.
- How much support will you receive from the program? Find a program that offers support in ways that suit your lifestyle (online classes, personal counseling, support groups, etc.)
- Can the program be customized to meet your lifestyle? The program you choose should fit the way you live. If they simply make you eat things you don't like, it will be hard to stick with it.
- What kind of maintenance program is provided? The best programs include a maintenance regime that focuses on helping you change your eating and exercise patterns.
If you would like to learn more tips about searching for a program,
please click here.
Another article in the never ending debate about what's good for you and what's not. This one tackles juice and the "is it or isn't" debate about popular fruit drinks. The first few paragraphs are below and
full text can be found here. Remember, if you ever have a question about what you should or shouldn't be eating, please call one of our dieticians at 317-275-7010.
To many people, it's a health food. To others, it's simply soda in disguise.
That virtuous glass of juice is feeling the squeeze as doctors, scientists and public health authorities step up their efforts to reduce the nation's girth.
It's an awkward issue for the schools that peddle fruit juice in their cafeterias and vending machines. It's uncomfortable for advocates of a junk-food tax who say they can't afford to target juice and alienate its legions of fans. It's confusing for consumers who think they're doing something good when they chug their morning OJ, sip 22-ounce smoothies or pack apple juice in their children's lunches.
The inconvenient truth, many experts say, is that 100% fruit juice poses the same obesity-related health risks as Coke, Pepsi and other widely vilified beverages.
In recognition of Veteran's Day today, I wanted to take a minute to thank all those individuals that have served selflessly in our Armed Forces. An extra special thank you goes out to our staff and patients who have served. We appreciate all you have done for us.
Remember to thank a veteran today!
I just wanted to offer a quick reminder of the numerous support opportunities occuring this week through
Clarian Bariatrics!
Total Body FitnessTuesday, November 10
5:30-6:00 p.m.
A free class for all patients!
“On Track”Tuesday, November 10
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
These groups are for all patients greater than one year post-op.
Speaker: Erin Light
Behavior Change GroupTuesday, November 10
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Speaker: Misty Hawkins
These groups are for all patients!
Clarian Health Cicero GroupThursday, November 12
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Cicero, 1160 S Peru Street, State Road 19, Cicero IN
Topic: Exercise
Speaker: Angela Marsden
Cicero is a great group for those of you who live on the northside of Indianapolis!
Please call us at 317-275-7010 if you have any questions. See you soon!
October 2009 marked my two year re-birth date! I’m still learning to be a Bariatric patient even after two years into my weight loss journey. Some thoughts I’d like to share:
Bari bellies are a sensitive piece of real estate! It is crucial that I respect my piece of real estate and give it the proper nourishment/vitamins it needs. Protein, protein and more protein along with hydration or I’m feeling down in the dumps!
A lifestyle/behavior change is a necessary daily practice. If I choose to continue my old behaviors I’m choosing to sabotage myself. Life happens and when it does I have the choice to repeat my old behavior or make the better/healthier choice in those moments. These are times when I find myself reaching out to a friend.
I still have good days, great days and bad days.
I truly believe in having “Safe People” in my life who understand what I’m going through as a Bariatric patient. I need people who can relate with me physically, emotionally and spiritually to help support me while being genuine.
I have to be mindful of head hunger because it is always lingering. Each day is different and sometimes it can be very challenging to overcome the head hunger. This is another time when I know I need to change the scenery or reach out for help.
Honesty and open communication is essential with my surgeon, dietitian, and my support people along with myself. Being sincere helps me stay on track and not self-sabotage. Denying the truth only hurts me.
Handful Harry is a demon on my shoulder who will probably always exist and is a constant reminder to me that the operation was performed on my stomach not my head.
Check out Part II on Friday!
I don't think this article is really "breaking news" but it shows that serious implications that being overweight can have on your overall health.
Obese patients taking medications to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels are less likely to reach recommended targets for these cardiovascular disease risk factors than their normal weight counterparts, according to new research presented at the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress hosted by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Dr. Vineet Bhan, a resident at the University of Toronto, sought to determine whether there were differences in reaching guideline-recommended targets for blood pressure and cholesterol levels according to body mass index (BMI) in a large number of individuals deemed to be at high risk for heart disease and stroke.
"In Canada, these high risk patients frequently do not reach their blood pressure and cholesterol targets," says Dr. Bhan. "The goal of our study was to see if obesity could be a factor."
To learn more,
click here.
A very startling article that I found in the November issue of the Obesity Action Coalition's online newsletter. Childhood obesity is certainly something we need to focus even more attention on in the coming years...we need to stop the cycle!
More than one in five teenagers has at least one risk factor for heart disease such as obesity and high cholesterol, a jump from just six years earlier, suggests new research.
Researchers partnered with a group that has been following the heart health of thousands of teenagers in the Niagara region of Ontario for more than two decades. They found that between the years 2002 and 2008, the number of Grade nine students with one or more cardiovascular risk factors rose to 21 percent from 17 percent. The number of obese teens went from 11 percent to 13 percent, while those with elevated cholesterol almost doubled from 9 percent to 16 percent.
The only figure to buck the trend was the number of students with high blood pressure, which dropped slightly from 19 percent to 17 percent. The figures mirror what's going on in Canadian society overall, said Dr. Brian McCrindle, a pediatric cardiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
To learn more,
click here.
How are you doing with your program? Look at the tips below and see how you’re doing.
- Eat three good quality meals per day. Fill your plate with lots of protein and veggies. Meals should be centered around a protein source. Protein is important to maintain your body’s muscle mass, for healing and also makes you feel full for a longer period of time. Vegetables also fill you up with very few calories and provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs!
- Drink lots of calorie free fluids! Water, water and more water is always best. Try crystal light, decaf tea, and other sugar free beverages. Avoid caffeine and carbonation.
- Don’t snack! Mindless snacking leads to too many calories and can lead you back to bad habits. If you are going long time periods between meals (> 5 hours), try a protein based snack like a string cheese to keep you full!
- Plan ahead always! Life gets crazy sometimes. It’s important to know what you’re eating ahead of time. If you don’t, you’ll end up grabbing something you shouldn’t.
I have a demon that was a huge part of my life before surgery and I like to call him Handful Harry. Harry was the little gremlin always sitting on my shoulder just waiting for me to grab a handful of something. That something was anything from crackers to Reese’s pieces. Harry sat patiently waiting for me to grab a handful of food and once that happened I was doomed. He would constantly babble on and on over and over “One more handful won’t hurt.”
Over the course of my journey I have worked on taming that animal through therapy and self-help in hopes to never hear his voice again. There are times when I can feel Mr. Harry peaking over my shoulder in anticipation of me grabbing a handful. This is something I personally struggle with and is a constant reminder to me that the operation was performed on my stomach not my head.
This is a perfect example of a time when having a bariatric friend is a saving grace. When those head games start and you go into panic mode make a call, journal what's going on and how you feel, get on your local website forum and call out to your bariatric extended family. Get support in whatever form you need it! Find a local support group and attend as often as you can.
What personal struggles are you facing? What steps do you need to take today to conquer your demons? I am here to help whenever I can no matter how far you are in your journey, no matter what type of surgery, where you live or what program you are in.
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