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Weight
Management can weigh heavily on one’s mind, especially during an
ongoing pandemic.
“Nothing about weight loss is straight forward or easy,” says Christina A. Reardon, a registered dietitian with Holyoke Medical Center. By CORI URBAN
Special To The Republican
“Staying healthy during a pandemic involves eating well, adequate hydration, staying active and getting adequate sleep.” At any time, sustainable weight loss requires an individualized approach, patience and commitment. Registered dietitians can help people take a closer look at their lifestyles, habits, behaviors and preferences, while taking into consideration medical conditions. But during a pandemic, patients face increased pressures that might result in weight gain. “Increased stress from isolation and unpredictability, anxiety and depression from their own condition and losing loved ones unexpectedly, inability to exercise and reduced hospital resources due to ongoing strain and burden from COVID-related issues are common causes for this,” explained Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos, director of the Weight Management Program at Holyoke Medical Center. “Our program has adopted early and, to a large extent, effective remote follow-up visits which have helped reduce the effect of these factors. In fact, even though it is extraordinary and surprising together, even to us also, our program during the pandemic has seen continuous growth and better weight loss results than before the pandemic!” According to Reardon, one of the biggest challenges people are facing during this
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK)
pandemic is lack of structure/ normalcy. “Between many new COVID variants, people losing loved ones, employment changes and the fear of becoming ill, our lives are completely disrupted,” she said. “With this, our food choices can become disrupted too.” Some people eat to cope with stress or for comfort. Some people are ordering take-out food more often. Food prices have risen and maybe people are choosing less-expensive, less-nutritious options. “So I would say for many people, eating healthy requires more effort,” she continued. “Planning, being organized and maintaining some sort of structure is essential. I suggest sticking to regular meal/snack times and having healthy options available.” Meal planning is helpful, too, whether it’s done a week in advance or a day in advance. The reason people gain weight is simple, Raftopoulos said: “Eating too many times per day, high calorie foods and no exercise.” But maintaining optimal weight is so important because it provides the best quality of life by preventing physical and mental disability from ongoing medical conditions and prevents the occurrence of medical conditions that would affect the patient’s life span. “As I often tell the patients, it is not only important to live long but to live well with as little suffering or disability as possible,” he said. “Additionally, in today’s unique (pandemic) circumstances, it reduces the risk for severe COVID disease.” For those who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, Reardon suggests a diet high in vegetables that contain fiber to maintain a longer feeling of fullness, stabilize blood sugar, aid in cholesterol management and
healthy ones. The registered dietitian stressed that “diet” versions are not necessarily any better and may not always satisfy a craving. “Sometimes they can still be high-carb, low-fiber foods that leave you feeling hungry in one hour,” she said, suggesting whole food choices like fruit or vegetables with Greek yogurt dip, un-buttered popcorn, cheese or hummus and vegetables. “However, sometimes it’s OK to just eat the food you are craving. Watch portion size, eat it mindfully and balance it out by making healthy choices the rest of the day/week.” Since this is very individualized, a dietitian can help find those substitutions that one finds enjoyable and can sustain long term. The Weight Management Program at Holyoke Medical Center conducts 7,500 office visits and about 360 procedures per year. People seek help there for many reasons such as a desire for a better quality of life, treatment/prevention of associated medical conditions and fear of the relationship between obesity/diabetes/ hypertension with severe COVID-19 infection. Surgical options are available, but there are strict requirements regarding body mass index and medical Above: Before and after photos of Michael P., patient of the condition; candidates need Weight Management Program at Holyoke Medical Center. Behavioral Health and Nutri(PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER) tional clearance. “In addition, the surgical Zumba or general exercise therapist can help. Reardon option, in our program, which focuses on small changes with routines. is rare on a national level, “If it’s motivation you’re her patients/clients and helps requires that each patient them pick two or three things lacking, having accountabilparticipates in a non-surgical that they feel most motivated ity helps tremendously,” she weight-loss effort and loses to tackle first: “Then we work emphasized. “I recommend off that. I encourage self-mon- downloading a phone app that 10 percent of his/her weight,” Raftopoulos explained. “In itoring, such as food logging, can offer accountability, find other words, the patients are a buddy, sign up for classes journaling, pedometer/fit and/or schedule exercise into trained and taught in our prowatch, etc. This can really gram how to apply effectively your day like you would a help with accountability and the necessary lifestyle, exerdoctor’s appointment. Once help people visualize their cise and behavioral changes you get going, it becomes progress.” before they undergo surgery. Another important aspect of routine!” Another tip for weight loss/ Some other patients prefer weight loss and management the non-surgical option, but in management is substituting is exercise, one of the most my opinion when the patient’s healthier options for less important things everyone promote digestive health. Protein is also essential for warding off hunger. “So I recommend focusing on filling up on vegetables and lean proteins while still incorporating carbohydrates and healthy fats in appropriate portion sizes,” she advises. “Eating a varied diet (think lots of color) can ensure that you get all the nutrients you need from your food, and all food groups are important. Setting structured meal times is key to avoid skipping meals or grazing throughout the day.” Admittedly, changing behavior can be difficult, but it’s important to understand from where habits and behaviors stem. Sometimes a licensed mental health counselor or
Before
Lose Weight. Live Better.
can do for better health. “Exercise helps with mood, bone/ joint health, heart health, improvement in conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, just to name a few,” Reardon said. In order to lose weight, one needs to be in a calorie deficit, and regular exercise can help achieve that. To maintain weight loss, fewer calories are needed, and exercise will help balance intake to maintain the new lower weight. “Maintaining a physical activity regimen needs to be lifelong so it’s important to find something enjoyable and sustainable,” she advised. “You don’t need a gym to get active,” suggesting online videos for activities like dance,
After
BMI is over 35 it is rare that the non-surgical option alone will ever solve the patient’s problem.” Michael P. (who used only his initial for this interview), was “sick of yo-yoing for over 20 years,” losing weight, then gaining — eventually seeking to lose 250 pounds. “I have a wife and a 4-year-old daughter, and I came to the realization that if I want to be around for her major life events, I need to make a drastic change,” he said. “I came to the realization that the Weight Management Program at Holyoke Medical Center was the best full-service program. I was impressed with the research being gathered, the data being tracked, their willingness to share that data and their pledge to support me the rest of my life with my weight-loss journey.” Being on the weight-loss journey during an ongoing pandemic has helped him “in a weird way,” he said. “As a family, we go out way less to restaurants, and cooking at home is now the priority. That time and money saved has allowed me to focus on me and this journey.” At eight weeks post-surgery, he was staying on the post-op diet to maximize his weight loss and feeling great. Once patients lose the weight, it is hoped they will stay in the program by participating in support and therapy groups. “Another way to motivate them that we have utilized, is to link the longterm participation to the program with their eligibility for plastic surgery procedures for redundant skin and infections that are often required down the road after weight loss,” Raftopoulos said. “We have also applied very effectively remote follow-up options, making it easier to maintain follow up in a more convenient way.”
With our medical help, you can reach, and maintain, your healthiest body weight. Our team of experts has the experience and technology to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Equally important, we are committed to helping you keep the weight off — for life. Call the Weight Management Program at (413) 535-4757.
HolyokeHealth.com/WMP