If you don't stock it, you can't sell it.

Are you looking for a doctor who will help you loose weight? Look carefully. Johns Hopkin's researchers found in a nationwide survey of physicians that if physicians were at a healthy weight themselves, they were significantly more likely to engage in weight-loss conversations with their patients. Normal weight physicians also had more confidence in their ability to provide guidance on diet and exercise compared to overweight or obese physicians.

PositiveTip: For optimal help, go to those who model what you are seeking.

Anyone will lose weight on 500 kcal per day--HCG or no HCG!

The lose-weight-fast market is largely fad-driven, and often fraud-driven. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has warned manufacturers of weight-loss products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) that these are illegal. The FDA has posted a short video on the dangers these products pose to dieters.

PositiveTip: Beware of miracle weight-loss products. A balanced, healthful diet combined with physical activity will yield beneficial results.

A low-fat weight loss diet increases arterial blood flow, reduces fat mass, and waist size.

A study of obese subjects on either a high-fat or low-fat weight loss diet found that although both groups lost weight, only the low-fat group showed a significant reduction in fat mass, waist circumference, increased brachial artery blood flow and improvement in hormone balance. The high-fat diet actually impaired brachial blood flow with no improvement in hormone balance.

PositiveTip: A low-fat weight loss diet significantly improves weight loss, vascular blood flow and hormone levels that aid in better control of appetite and weight.

Inflammatory hormones increase with weight gain.

Obesity has been found to be a low grade inflammatory state with fat cells producing a host of inflammatory hormones that lead to comorbidity. Weight loss decreases proinflammatory C-reactive protein, TNF, IL-6 and leptin and increases the anti-inflammatory hormone adiponectin produced by fat cells.

PositiveTip: Drink 6-8 glasses of water, exercise, eat a low-fat diet of whole grain cereals, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and don't skip breakfast to help reduce body fat.

Whole grain cereals for breakfast delays hunger and reduces food intake.

Preadolescents children eating whole grain low glycemic cereals for breakfast had delayed return of hunger after breakfast and consume less food at lunch. 

PositiveTip:  Make breakfast and whole grain foods a regular part of your eating habits.

High fat and sugar intake may change hormone secretion toward weight gain.

Diets with higher levels of fat and sugar appear to change hormone levels in favor of weight gain. Consuming high fat and sugar foods increases insulin and ghrelin, two hormones that are related to weight gain while decreasing leptin, which aids in weight loss.

PositiveTip: Consuming a vegetarian or Mediterranean type diet can aid efforts to lose weight.

Motivation techniques improve weight loss.

A study done by the Technical University of Lisbon on the effect of self-motivation techniques for weight loss showed a significant difference (P<0.001) between women who had been taught to use these techniques and women who only received a general health education program. Women who learned the motivational techniques had a higher percentage of weight loss and higher levels of exercise, and were more likely to stick to their exercise goals.

PositiveTip: Fun and enjoyable activities are motivations that can help you achieve a successful weight management program.

30 minutes of daily physical activity greatly enhances weight loss.

The American College of Sports Medicine has updated its Position on physical activity and weight loss and weight regain after loss. Long-term weight loss is enhanced by engaging in more than 250 minutes (4 hours) of moderate intensity physical activity per week. Weight maintenance is enhanced by the continuation of the same amount on a consistent basis.

PositiveTip: Think about it! Just over half an hour of physical activity each day will significantly enhance weight-loss and weight-maintenance.

Severely obese individuals can loose weight with lifestyle modifications.

University of Pittsburg researchers studied 130 severely obese participants and found that diet combined with either initial or delayed initiation of physical activity resulted in significant weight loss one year later. Those who began the exercise immediately lost more weight at 6 months, but the delayed-exercisers almost caught up at 12 months (12 kg and 10 kg, respectively). This counters to old adage that the severely obese do not respond to lifestyle intervention. 

PositiveTip: Lifestyle interventions such as exercise and reduced-calorie diets do work!