[fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Most people acknowledge the health benefits of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, too many people either do not understand the full scope of the risks associated with obesity, or they have no knowledge of the commitment and effort weight management requires. Otherwise we’d never hear comments like, “Oh – that’s okay. One little brownie isn’t going to kill you.” One little brownie probably won’t kill you, BUT a lifetime of poor food choices and uncontrolled eating behavior can!

No doubt, most of our readers have been tempted in this manner at one time or another, but there’s another program-killer that’s ever-present in the daily battle of the bulge. People will challenge your weight loss program. They will quote some obscure source and tell you, “Oh my god, you shouldn’t do that. I read that [fill in the blank] will cause [fill in the blank]. You should try [fill in the blank].” Then you feel obliged to DEFEND your weight loss program. Even worse, if you begin to doubt your program you are more likely to cheat and ultimately abandon your program altogether.

Let’s call these folks the “fill in the blankers” (FIBs). Their reasons and motives for subverting your weight loss efforts may arise from ignorance, or perhaps some unconscious jealousy or fear. Understanding this may help, but let’s get more specific. Here are a few common attacks you may hear and the answers from a “betterMD.”

FIB: “You shouldn’t do that powdered supplement diet. It isn’t safe!”

betterMD: “Supplemented low calorie and very low calorie programs are the most effective means of losing weight and have an unparalleled 35 year safety record.”

FIB: “Don’t take weight loss drugs. They don’t work. They’re dangerous and they’re very expensive.”

betterMD: “Modern weight loss medications are safe and effective for 10% weight losses and for weight loss maintenance. Under proper supervision they are as safe as any medication used for chronic medical conditions. For many people the costs of medications are offset by reductions in eating expenses and lower weight-related medical expenses.”

FIB: “You shouldn’t lose weight that fast! It isn’t healthy – and you’ll never be able to keep it off.”

betterMD: “Studies now confirm that early, rapid weight loss is directly related to greater weight loss and improved weight loss maintenance.”

FIB: “You don’t need a doctor to lose weight. You can buy that powdered stuff in the store and do it on your own!”

betterMD: “Physician-supervised weight loss is faster, safer and more effective than ‘do-it-yourself’ efforts without proper support. Products available in grocery stores can not match physician-supervised very low calorie diets and may place you at risk for medical complications.”

If someone is trying to FIB to you and you’d like to hear what we have to say about it, send a brief message to [email protected] and we’ll send you the answers you need.

This article was originally published in a broadcast of the Health-e-Thoughts Newsletter (distributed by betterMD.net on December 12, 2001)

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