“The New Normal”: Training for Your First Race

Many of my patients find that they would like to start an exercise regimen after surgery and subsequent weight loss. Some go on to run 5ks, 10ks, and even marathons! This is one of the many positive changes individuals experience following surgery – fitness may become their “New Normal.” There are many benefits to jogging or running. Apart from the weight loss that occurs as a result of the caloric burn from the exercise itself, there is an additional metabolic bump from the increased muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than fat, at a ratio of 2.5 to 1. Over time this can add up. As you burn fat and build muscle, you are turning your body into a metabolic machine. Additionally, there are cardiovascular, or heart-health benefits. While running may not make one completely immune to heart disease, it does decrease the risk of cardiac events by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Finally, weight-bearing activities like running can help to increase bone density, thereby lower
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Popular Diets and How They Compare to Weight Loss Surgery

If you are interested in losing weight, there is no shortage of trendy diets from which to choose. But before you start your weight loss journey, you should understand the short-term and long-term pros and cons of each of these “fad” diets. My patients generally have goals to lose 30 pounds or more, so let’s take a look at each of these diets and how they may affect this particular population. Gluten-Free This has quickly become one of the trendiest diets, with approximately one-third of Americans describing themselves as “gluten-free.” Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. It gives breads and doughs their chewy texture. For many years, this diet was adopted only by those with Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten causes an inflammatory immune response in the intestine. This leads to symptoms that range from intestinal distress to malnutrition, and it can cause weight gain. In individuals with Celiac Disease, avoidi
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