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Recently I told a friend I feel weird telling people Ive lost 100 pounds because Im still a big girl.

I worry theyll size me up and think, Whoa, whatd she look like before?!

(Im quick to add that I want to lose at least 50 more.)

My friend texted back: Stop taking away from your accomplishments. Just be happy that its 100 pounds youve left behind.

I may have shed the pounds, but the psychological damage remains.

Ive always been hard on myself, and, to an extent, its helped me succeed.

But my inner critic snipes, Well, if youd been even harder on yourself, you wouldnt have let your weight spiral out of control.

I go back and forth almost every day between feeling proud and ashamed.

During a pedicure a year ago, I noticed my cankles had once again become ankles. Welcome back, ladies!

My lower legs may be stronger, tighter and more defined, but my thighs are covered in cellulite, stretch marks and loose skin. (Oh yeah, theres physical damage, too).

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Holt: Roller coaster of long-term weight loss

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Obese people who went through a weight-management program based at community health centers lost and kept off a couple more pounds than those who didn't do the program, in a new study.

They were also more likely to have their blood pressure under control up to two years out, researchers reported this week.

The participants were largely minorities and poor -- representing the Americans most affected by obesity and obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and some of the hardest to reach with prevention efforts.

In part because of those demographics, the new report is "encouraging," said Sara Bleich, an obesity researcher from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore who wasn't involved in the new study.

"Typically what happens (in weight-management programs) is there's a lot of initial weight loss, and people gain it back pretty quickly," she told Reuters Health.

"A real positive to (this study) is the fact that we are seeing sustained weight loss, even though it is modest. That sort of sustained weight loss has the potential to reverse or alleviate a whole host of health problems."

The trial was conducted at three Boston community health centers. Close to 400 adults who were obese and being treated for high blood pressure were randomly assigned to get their usual care -- including a healthy weight booklet -- or to go through a goal-setting weight management program.

In the program, participants set small objectives for behavior changes, such as limiting TV watching, walking a certain amount each day and not drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. They received regular calls from community health educators over the two-year study to discuss their goals and progress, and were able to get feedback on a website or through "robocalls."

People in the weight management group also saw their primary care doctors once to discuss weight-related behavior changes and were invited to optional monthly group support sessions at the community health center.

More than 80 percent of the participants were black or Hispanic and the majority didn't have more than a high school degree or household income above $25,000. They were in their mid-fifties, on average, and started the study with an average weight of 220 pounds.

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Program helps at-risk adults keep the weight off

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

RETROFIT LLC (retrofitme.com) the data-driven weight loss program for data-driven people announced today that the company completed a $2 million financing round led by I2A Fund, New World Ventures, and FireStarter Fund, in addition to the $700,000 previously raised in late 2011. A number of prominent business leaders committed to defeating the nations obesity epidemic also participated in the financing.

Although the obesity epidemic has reached crisis proportions in the United States, there has been almost no disruptive thinking in the weight loss industry. RETROFITs data-driven nutrition, fitness, and counseling program promises to change that. The approach is intensive without being invasive and the results are promising. Over 90% of all clients report positive weight-loss results, with an average of 1.1 pounds lost per week, said Stuart Larkins, Managing Director, I2A Fund. We see great potential in RETROFITs revolutionary model.

The capital infusion will be used in RETROFITs ongoing efforts to ensure that our customers realize long-term weight loss success, said CEO Jeff Hyman. Our mission is to free the healthy person within all of us. We achieve this through a blend of sustainable behavior change, data analysis, and personalized support.

Our program marries advanced internet technology with direct one-on-one counseling by a team of nutrition, fitness, and behavior professionals, Hyman said. It is an optimal solution for busy people whose schedules and responsibilities have made achieving healthy weight levels so challenging. We are committed to turning the tide on the obesity epidemic.

During the 12-month program, RETROFIT clients follow a personalized nutrition and fitness plan; attend weekly Skype video meetings with a private team of registered dieticians, behavior coaches, exercise physiologists; and use advanced wireless devices to track weight, body composition, physical activity, and sleep patterns from home.

Clients receive ongoing communication and reinforcement from their personal professional advisors that helps new habits stick. Its a very different approach and our clients love it, Tucker Toft-Dupuy, one of Retrofits 40 Wellness Experts, shares. Our Wellness Experts love it too. I get the high impact expert interaction of my peers and we work together to change peoples lives for good. Nothing could be more exciting.

Retrofit markets its innovative service directly to consumers, through employers, and physicians.

The investment group includes:

Lon Chow, General Partner, Apex Venture Partners Brian Jacobs, General Partner, Emergence Capital Partners Renee LaBran, Partner, Rustic Canyon Fontis Partners Matt Ocko - Partner, Three Kingdoms Capital Partners Shaun Abrahamson - Partner, EigenValue Fund Matt Dickinson - Partner, Growth Angels Larry Levy, Chairman, Levy Restaurants Dan Malven, Chairman, Analyte Health Sridhar Murthy - CEO, Analyte Health Jai Shekhawat, CEO, Fieldglass Ancelmo Lopes, CEO, Ameritox James Roberts, CEO, Chamberlain Group Jerry Acuff - CEO, DeltaPoint Jeff Hughes - CEO, BizLab Tom Peterson - CEO, Social Leverage Brian Spaly - CEO, Trunk Club Howard Lindzon - CEO, StockTwits Dan Clifford - CEO, AnswerLab Matt Gray, President, G Bar David Rosenblatt, Vice Chairman, Arava Power Bob Brinker - Publisher, Brinker Advisory Services

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RETROFIT Raises $2.7 Million From Three Leading Chicago Venture Funds and Angels

DENVER, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --A just-released study from Johns Hopkins University has found that dieters that followed a low-carb diet like the Atkins Diet, shed more weight than those on a low-fat diet 10 lbs. more in six months and that the low-carb group lost more abdominal fat overall. A key finding was the lack of an adverse effect on vascular health in the low-carb group.

"The findings from the Johns Hopkins study demonstrate what we already know to be true Atkins has many scientifically-validated health benefits, including improvements in cardiovascular health markers," said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. "Atkins is the original and leading low carb weight loss plan that provides quick, satisfying weight loss based on an extensive body of research. It is a safe and effective diet plan for those looking to lose weight and keep it off long-term."

The study was presented on March 13 at an American Heart Association scientific meeting in San Diego by lead researcher Kerry Stewart, Ed.D., professor of medicine and director of clinical and research exercise physiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Heart and Vascular Institute.

The study examined overweight or obese but otherwise healthy individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 years over a six-month period. One group was randomly assigned a low-carbohydrate diet and the other a low-fat diet. The low-carb group consumed a diet made up of no more than 30 percent of calories from carbs and as much as 40 percent of their diet was made up of fats. Exercise was included for all participants and vascular health was checked before and after six months. Successful weight loss and reductions in total and abdominal fat, and BP were achieved with both groups. Greater reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat occurred in the low-carb group. The low-fat diet consisted of no more than 30 percent from fat and 55 percent from carbs.

Additionally, when individual variations were examined, a greater loss of abdominal fat was associated with enhanced vascular health.

In his presentation Stewart said, "These findings are contrary to common beliefs that the less fat you eat the better your cardiovascular health. What this study shows is that a low-carb diet not only helps people shed more weight and abdominal fat, but it did not have any harmful effects on vascular health. Overall, there was an improvement in vascular health that was related to how much abdominal fat was lost, regardless of the diet. These data suggest that more people should be considering a low-carb diet as a viable option, especially since it results in greater abdominal fat loss."

Approximately half of all American adults are estimated to be overweight, with a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or higher; a third are estimated to be obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher. The effect of having too much weight on cardiovascular health and diabetes risk is even greater if there is a high accumulation of fat in the abdomen, above the waist. The Atkins Diet is designed to "flip the body's metabolic switch" from burning carbs to burning fat. Graduated carb introduction helps avoid blood sugar and insulin spikes, which cause hunger and cravings resulting in overeating and weight gain. Atkins provides a long-term, well-balanced diet plan that teaches individuals to find their personal ideal carb balance. No other weight-loss and maintenance program does this. The Atkins Diet is backed by more than 80 published, peer-reviewed studies conducted over the past several decades.

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leader in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet. Atkins' four product lines: Advantage, Day Break, Endulge and Cuisine appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available online at atkins.com and in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

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New Study Shows the Positive Effect of Low-Carb Diets, Like the Atkins Diet, Versus Low-Fat Diets on Weight Loss and ...

OWINGS MILLS, Md., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED - News), a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven portion-controlled weight-loss programs, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

"We ended the year with a renewed strategic focus on driving operational excellence throughout our Take Shape for Life, Medifast Direct, Medifast Weight Control Center and Wholesale Physicians sales channels, and our internal support divisions to better position our business for maximum profitability long-term," stated Michael C. MacDonald, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Going forward, our executive team is continuing to review and enhance our overall cost structure to further leverage our sales momentum, improve our margins and deliver improved earnings results, while continuing to focus on enhancing the customer experience in each of our sales channels."

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, Medifast net revenue increased 10% to $69.6 million from net revenue of $63.0 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Each of the Company's three primary distribution channels, Take Shape for Life, Direct Response Marketing, Medifast Weight Control Centers and Wholesale Physicians, contributed to this year-over-year revenue increase.

Revenue in the direct sales channel, Take Shape for Life, increased 4% to $43.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $41.5 million in the same period last year. Growth in revenue for Take Shape for Life was driven by increased customer product sales as a result of an increase in the number of active health coaches. The Company ended the quarter with approximately 9,600 active health coaches, an increase of 7% compared to 9,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010. The average revenue per health coach per month for the fourth quarter was $1,450 compared to $1,550 in fourth quarter of 2010.

The Company's direct response marketing channel revenue increased 6% to $15.6 million, compared to $14.7 million in fourth quarter of 2010. Marketing and advertising expenses increased approximately 4% to $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. The Company maintained a 2.8-to-1 revenue-to-spend ratio or return-on-advertising during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. The Company continues to experience a more effective advertising message through more targeted advertising based on extensive analytical research, increased targeted advertising content, and in turn, improved call center and web conversion rates.

In the fourth quarter, the Medifast Weight Control Centers and Wholesale Physicians channel revenue increased 57% to $10.7 million, primarily due to strong organic growth from the opening of new corporate and franchise locations and a year-over-year improvement in comparable store sales of 19% for centers open greater than one year. The Company had 39 Medifast Weight Control Centers in the comparable store base at December 31, 2011. The Company opened 10 new centers in the fourth quarter for a total of 70 corporate and 30 franchise centers. The Company realized a pre-tax earnings decline of $4.5 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease in profitability is primarily due to the hiring of expertise in key areas to build the internal infrastructure to open new Medifast Weight Control Centers in 2011 and beyond. Hires included regional trainers, district managers, area managers, mobile managers, dieticians, HR recruiters, operations support and marketing. In addition, 31 new corporate centers were opened in 2011 which also resulted in decreased profitability attributable to the startup costs as the stores were in the ramp-up phase during 2011.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased 12% to $52.3 million, compared to $46.8 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. The Company's gross profit margin increased 100 basis points to 75.2% in the fourth quarter versus 74.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The gross profit margin improvement was primarily the result of leveraging fixed overhead costs in our manufacturing facility. A modest mid-year price increase in 2011 offset increased raw material, fuel, and other transportation charges.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.1 million or 22% to $50.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus $41.6 million last year. As a percent of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 72.8% compared to 66.0% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The largest increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily related to increased expansion of the Medifast Weight Control Center model with 10 corporate centers opening in the fourth quarter which led to additional expenses with minimal sales during the new centers ramp up phase.

During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded $1.3 million of additional charges related to increased technology costs, rent expense, and depreciation charges related to the Medifast Weight Control Centers.

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Medifast, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results

Editor's Choice Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Article Date: 13 Mar 2012 - 12:00 PDT

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Santiago Horgan, M.D., chief of minimally invasive surgery and director of the UC San Diego Bariatric Metabolic Institute, said:

According to Horgan, the 1-hour procedure is comparable to the art of origami. Gastric plication is performed laparoscopically and is potentially reversible. In order to reach the stomach to place the folds, 1 to 5 incisions are made in the abdomen. One or two folds (depending on the size of the patient's stomach) are then created with non-absorbable sutures.

Horgan, explained:

Individuals undergoing the procedure are only hospitalized for 1 or 2 days and can return to normal activities in one week. Candidates must have a body mass index of at least 27.

The procedure not only helps with weight loss, but also has associated benefits according to Horgan. Several patients are able to reduce their diabetes, depression and blood pressure medications. These long-term results are the result of a combination of surgery, exercise and healthy eating.

This clinical trial surgery was performed by Horgan as well as Garth Jacobsen, MD, and Nikolai A. Bildzukewicz, MD, of UC San Diego Health System.

Written by Grace Rattue Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Stomach Origami - New Weight Loss Surgery

Mental Workout today announced a new partnership with Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke and the upcoming release of Less is More - a revolutionary weight loss program addressing the psychological issues behind healthy weight loss, giving everyone access to techniques and tools via the web and mobile devices.

Water Mill, NY (PRWEB) March 13, 2012

Less than one-third of U.S. adults are at a healthy weight (National Center for Health Statistics). Over two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (Journal of the American Medical Association).

Online tools have already been shown effective in helping people losing weight. By making Less is More accessible via mobile devices, the success rate is expected to be even higher. Addressing the many psychological aspects of weight loss and helping people set, achieve, and maintain realistic weight loss goals are the keys to the success of Less is More.

Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke commented:

"The Less is More program will bring the benefits of my 30-years of experience in the treatment of weight loss to millions of people around the world who are now using mobile technology to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. The program will put many struggling with weight loss or self-image issues at ease and enable them to access the critical tools they need to maximize their chances of losing weight in a way that will result in long-term physical and mental health."

The Less is More program will allow the user to choose the approach, speed, and intensity to match their specific needs and personality. The program will include a plan with personalized activities, instant help for use when the user is overwhelmed, and a collection of tools and strategies. Less is More will help people eat mindfully, overcome overeating, set boundaries with food, develop alternative sources of pleasure, and increase their willpower.

Mickey Beyer-Clausen, Founder and CEO of Mental Workout comments:

"With millions of Americans overweight or obese, we wanted to make the best tools available in a way that fits modern life. People need personalized guidance they can trust and easily and anonymously access when and where they want it. This is exactly what Less is More will deliver. Mental Workout's multi-device platform, combined with Dr. Ann Kearney-Cookes state-of-the-art techniques and strategies, will make it possible for people to lose weight in a new way, on their terms, and that's exciting."

Less is More will be accessible via the web and mobile devices, supporting all major mobile platforms such as iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, and Nokia QT. Program subscriptions as well as personal data will be seamlessly accessible across all devices at no extra cost, giving users unparalleled mobility and flexibility.

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Mental Workout Reinvents Weight Loss With New Mobile Program

Top health and obesity experts meet to discuss evidence-based practices that will lead to most effective patient weight loss.

(PRWEB) March 13, 2012

The CMWL scientific advisory board is comprised of top experts in health and weight management with decades of experience in their fields. The board formed more than a year ago to provide CMWL with advice on publishing a multi-site effectiveness study of the CMWL program; the 12-week efficacy results of the CMWL weight loss programs will be featured in the April 2012 edition of The American Journal of Medicine.

The advisory board is helping to shape the CMWL program using evidence-based practices to make our program more and more effective all the time, said Dr. Michael Kaplan, founder and chief medical officer of The Center for Medical Weight Loss. Weight loss maintenance has become one of our key focuses. Keeping the weight off long term is just as important as losing the weight.

The advisory board also helps CMWL to design future research studies using evidence-based practices, including the largest clinical research trial to use aggregated, non-identified patient data. These studies are structured to determine the programs and procedures that will lead to the best long-term weight loss results for all patients under the care of CMWL physicians.

The CMWL scientific advisory board members include:

The Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL) clinically proven, evidence-based programs provide an approach to long-term weight loss and maintenance under the care and support of trained physicians. Each fully individualized program is customized to the patient, taking into account his or her medical history, body composition, and personal goals. This individual care is supported with on-going one-on-one counseling by the physician on important topics including nutrition, fitness, behavioral modification, motivation, and, where necessary, prescribed medications. Physicians in The Center for Medical Weight Loss network are all medical professionals specially trained in non-surgical bariatric medicine who have access to the latest techniques and medical data, including high-quality nutritional products and FDA-approved weight loss medications only available to medical doctors.

Marian Coletti The Center for Medical Weight Loss 914-332-4190 200 Email Information

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The Center for Medical Weight Loss Advisory Board Evaluates Best Long-Term Weight Loss Techniques

Washington, Mar 11 (ANI): Scientists are now offering gastric plication, a novel surgery that folds the stomach into a smaller and more compact size, to patients seeking weight-loss treatment that does not require an implanted device or permanent change to their anatomy.

Santiago Horgan and his team have a new clinical trial option at UC San Diego Health System.

"This minimally invasive surgery is a new choice for patients who are more than 30 pounds overweight," Horgan said.

"By folding the stomach, we can reduce the volume by 70 percent. Patients can expect to lose up to 2 pounds per week following the procedure," he said.

Horgan compares gastric plication, a way to fold the stomach into a new functional form, to the art of origami. Gastric plication is potentially reversible and is performed laparoscopically.

During a one-hour procedure, one to five small incisions are made in the abdomen to reach the stomach to place the folds.

Depending on the size of the patient's stomach, one or two folds are created with non-absorbable sutures.

"After surgery, with a smaller stomach size, a patient feels fuller faster and is likely to have an actual decrease in appetite.

"If, for some reason, we need to return the stomach to its original size, we can do so. Also, since the patient's anatomy is not rerouted, the patient does not have severe food restrictions," Horgan said.

Horgan said that, in addition to weight loss, many surgery patients see an associated benefit in reducing their blood pressure, diabetes and depression medications.

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New Origami-inspired weight loss surgery folds stomach into smaller size

New research from Tel Aviv shows that starting the day with a full meal that includes a sweet dessert contributes to weight loss success.

PROBLEM: Though restrictive diets often result in weight loss, most obese dieters fail to keep the pounds off as soon as their cravings start to overpower their discipline. Can a more forgiving breakfast topped off with sweets help prevent this all-too-common obesity relapse?

METHODOLOGY: To determine if and how the timing and composition of meals affect short- and long-term weight loss, researchers led by Tel Aviv University's Daniela Jakubowicz randomly assigned 193 clinically obese, non-diabetic adults, ages 20 to 65, to one of two diet groups with identical daily caloric intake -- 1,600 for men, 1,400 for women. Those in the first group ate a low-carbohydrate diet that included a small 300-calorie breakfast while members of the second cluster were given a 600-calorie breakfast high in protein and carbs that always included dessert.

RESULTS: Halfway through the 32-week trial, participants in both groups had lost an average of 33 pounds per person. Things changed drastically soon after, however. While participants in the large-breakfast group lost another 15 pounds each, those in the low-carb group regained an average of 22 pounds each. At the end of the program, those who had less restrictive breakfasts had lost an average of 40 pounds more per person than their peers.

CONCLUSION: Starting the day with a full meal that includes a sweet dessert can bolster and maintain a dieter's weight-loss progress.

IMPLICATION: Curbing cravings is better than deprivation for dieting success, says Jakubowicz in a statement, since avoiding sweets altogether can create a psychological addiction to these same foods in the long-term.

SOURCE: The full study, "Meal Timing and Composition Influence Ghrelin Levels, Appetite Scores and Weight Loss Maintenance in Overweight and Obese Adults," is published in the journal Steroids.

Image: Shutterstock.

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Study of the Day: Eating Chocolate for Breakfast Is Good for Your Diet

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