It’s been a long time since my last post. While I haven’t been writing my blog, I have been writing my book! Sales of the Kindle version began today here: https://a.co/d/at2Wiga . The paperback version will be published on April 11th. Hardcover to follow, but the printing costs for that one are a bit steep.Continue reading “A New Chapter”
Category Archives: News
In the News: Stress & Weight
Many of us like to indulge in comfort foods when we feel stressed. But the relationship between stress and weight gain includes many other factors beyond consuming a few extra calories. “Researchers have long known that rises in the stress hormone cortisol lead to weight gain. Every time you’re stressed, your adrenal glands release adrenalineContinue reading “In the News: Stress & Weight”
In the News: Ozempic and Intestinal Obstruction
If you are using a GLP-1 agonist drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Saxenda, Victoza, Mounjaro, Byetta, Bydureon, Rybelsus, Adlyxin, or other related medications (1), please take this new caution seriously. These drugs can contribute to intestinal blockages. Some of these medications already included label warnings about this health issue, but not Ozempic. “Blocked intestines, knownContinue reading “In the News: Ozempic and Intestinal Obstruction”
In the News: Sodium and Artery Blockage
Today’s post is not about losing weight, though that may be a result of balancing your sodium intake. And I’m not going to tell you to cut out all salt, because that can be unhealthy too. But the latest reporting from Harvard Health Publishing shares a warning regarding excessive salt intake: “Salty diet linked toContinue reading “In the News: Sodium and Artery Blockage”
In the News: BMI Is Not the Measurement We Need!
Not really a new idea for many of us, but the American Medical Association (AMA) has finally acknowledged that the Body Mass Index (BMI) in itself is an insufficient and inaccurate screening tool to assess health. While it’s useful for large scale studies of various populations, it has serious limitations when used to evaluate andContinue reading “In the News: BMI Is Not the Measurement We Need!”
In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality
In a (very) long term study of nearly 400,000 participants aged 50-71, it was found that those eating low fat diets had significantly reduced overall mortality “by 18%, cardiovascular mortality by 16%, and cancer mortality by 18%” (1). The study differentiated between healthy and unhealthy diets for both low carb and low fat versions. ForContinue reading “In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality”
In the News: Jenny Craig Shut Down in US & Canada
It’s been reported that 40 year old weight loss company Jenny Craig has shut down all of its centers in North America. When I checked their website, it appeared that they are still conducting business. Given this news, I would be very cautious about placing any orders at this time. “In WARN Act letters sentContinue reading “In the News: Jenny Craig Shut Down in US & Canada”
In the News: Weight Watchers Is New Owner of Sequence, Wegovy, Ozempic Supplier
You may have seen reports of some major weight loss industry news – WeightWatchers (WW) has purchased a company called Sequence. Sequence has a weight management program that includes weight loss medication, a nutrition plan, a fitness plan, medical insurance coordination, and access to health care professionals. It’s known for its access to GLP-1 agonistContinue reading “In the News: Weight Watchers Is New Owner of Sequence, Wegovy, Ozempic Supplier”
In the News: World Obesity Day 2023
I was surprised to read several headlines about obesity today – all revolving around the global obesity situation we are facing. It’s then that I discovered that March 4th is World Obesity Day. Each year, there is a different theme that the World Obesity Federation (WOF) organization hopes will make a difference in addressing theContinue reading “In the News: World Obesity Day 2023”
In the News: Erythritol Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke, Death
I noticed this news item in CNN Health and thought it was important to share it with you quickly. If you do an internet search, you will find that most news outlets have picked it up. Basically, a study published on February 27, 2023 in the journal Nature reports that people with the highest bloodContinue reading “In the News: Erythritol Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke, Death”
In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines
How do you feel about offering prescription diet medications to 12 year olds? Permanent weight loss surgery to a 13 year old? Weight loss counseling to a toddler? Yes, I’ve taken the obesity interventions recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) to their extreme conclusions, but those really are are part of their guidelines.Continue reading “In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines”
In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications
Preface Note: There is a lot of personal history in this post. If you want to get straight to the facts, skip the following paragraphs in blue and start with The Struggle Is Real. As you may know, when I began my last diet, I went to a Bariatric Center at The Mayo Clinic inContinue reading “In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications”
Conflicts of Interest
Whenever possible, I will include journal articles (or reports based on their studies) as support for what I write in my blog posts. There are several reasons for this: As a person whose background is in economics, it’s that last one that is most meaningful to me. I am always wondering. “What’s in it forContinue reading “Conflicts of Interest”
In the News: Contemplating “The Whale”
I’m not keenly interested in movies, but when I read about The Whale in my news feed, I felt compelled to watch it. I was expecting an uncomfortable depiction of obesity, something like My 600 Pound Life or The Biggest Loser but with an artistic bent. However, screenplay author Samuel D. Hunter takes things inContinue reading “In the News: Contemplating “The Whale””
In the News: Looking Older After Dieting?
I’ve been wanting to write about looking younger after dieting for quite some time. However, cursory research revealed that most people believe that losing weight makes you look older, not younger. And there are few articles on feeling younger, as opposed to looking younger. At this point, I began to believe that it’s the wayContinue reading “In the News: Looking Older After Dieting?”
In the News: Intermittent Fasting
You are an intelligent person – an individual who knows what works best for your own body and mind. But there is so much for all of us to learn. It’s hard to keep up with so many conflicting opinions – especially with experts changing their advice, which we hope is based upon the objectiveContinue reading “In the News: Intermittent Fasting”
In the News: Follow Up 60 Minutes on Obesity
Yesterday I shared some thoughts on the 60 Minutes January 1, 2023 report on obesity and diet drug Wegovy. Today, I’d like to add to it with insights from Dr. Tom Rifai, whose YouTube videoing on the topic is quite critical. First, here’s my blog post which links the original 60 Minutes story: https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/01/05/60-minutes-on-obesity/ AndContinue reading “In the News: Follow Up 60 Minutes on Obesity”
In the News: 60 Minutes on Obesity
60 Minutes started off the new year with a compelling segment on obesity and one of the promising new weight loss medications. According to the report, nearly half of American adults are obese, or rephrased properly, have obesity. Yes, I noticed their subtle phrase which recognizes that obesity is actually classified as a disease. ThisContinue reading “In the News: 60 Minutes on Obesity”
Can AI Help with Weight Maintenance?
Perhaps you have heard about artificial intelligence and the new chatbot ChatGPT. It opens up many exciting possibilities as well as some scary ones. The control and flow of knowledge is certainly a concern, but it can also be a great aid to us in many ways. After listening to the December 16, 2022 NewContinue reading “Can AI Help with Weight Maintenance?”
Perspectives on Appearance
Is this a little off topic, or our eating disorders built upon the foundation of things such as this? I am referring to the new artificial intelligence app called Lensa. My Facebook feed is positively inundated with these images, which are attractive, but unattainable in reality. How do contrived images as these affect our perceptionsContinue reading “Perspectives on Appearance”
Maintain Weight Loss 