By Amanda Velazquez, MD, as told to Alexandra Benisek
In the WebMD webinar “Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight and Keep it Off?" Amanda Velazquez, MD, explained the things that affect your weight and why weight loss may be challenging. She’s an obesity medicine doctor, nutrition specialist, and director of obesity medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
How safe are newer anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and gummies?
There’s no data to support that gummies are safe to use for long-term weight management. They’re also not regulated by the FDA.
Newer AOMs, like semaglutide (Ozempic), are FDA-approved for long-term use. They’ve been shown to be safe for long-term or lifelong use in treating obesity. These drugs can help you lose weight and maintain it over time.
Is exercise or dieting alone enough to lose weight?
No, for most people, exercise alone or diet alone are not enough to lose weight and keep it off long-term. Neither of these things, by themselves, will help prevent weight-related diseases.
If diet and exercise alone were enough to lose weight and keep it off, then people wouldn’t struggle with obesity as much. But it’s not that simple.
People have tried for years to lose weight through lifestyle changes. While it’s a critical piece to losing weight, you may need extra tools. This is because obesity is a very complex disease, just like many other health conditions.
How important is weight training in a weight loss plan?
Weight training is extremely important for weight loss. It’s a critical piece of your plan to maintain muscle mass and improve your metabolic rate (the amount of energy you burn).
This kind of training also has a ton of amazing health benefits. It can enhance your strength, better your balance, help you develop good bone health, and more.
Do you recommend specific weight loss programs or apps? Can support groups help with motivation?
Support groups are strongly encouraged when you’re trying to lose weight. They’re also very helpful in the weight maintenance phase. This process is a marathon. Having others support you long-term during your weight loss journey, whether it be family, friends, or a support group, is key.
Apps are also very useful. For example, you can use certain apps for self-monitoring. There are excellent options within the many programs and apps. Some of these include MyFitnessPal, Noom, and WeightWatchers.
What's the lowest amount of calories in a weight loss diet that's safe and healthy?
The amount of calories you should consume is very specific to you. Using apps like MyFitnessPal can be a good start to figure this out.
You can also work with your health care team to find out the proper amount of calories you should eat per day for your body’s needs. This will help make sure you consume enough of the right types of food while you lose weight.
How many weight loss drugs and procedures are covered by health insurance?
With AOMs, coverage chances are hit or miss. It’s best that you speak with your health care providers to find out which AOM is best for you, in terms of costs.
If none of the medications you need are covered by insurance, you can find a similar option that may have a smaller copay. This might include some of the first-generation anti-obesity medications.
For most people, if you meet the clinical criteria for bariatric surgery, your insurance plan will cover it. But endobariatric procedures, performed by gastroenterologists, aren’t yet covered by most insurances.
Childhood trauma is linked to obesity. Should trauma counseling be part of a weight loss plan, if you have a trauma history?
Yes, this is important if you’re seeking treatment for obesity. But in any case – even for those not in treatment – therapy, trauma counseling, and mental health support services are encouraged. These can better your health if you’ve experienced trauma.
Watch a replay of the WebMD webinar “Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight and Keep it Off?"
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