Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco.  He is currently investigating the contribution of nutritional, neural, hormonal, and genetic influences in the expression of the current obesity epidemic both in children and adults.

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The sedentary lifestyle that ensues after even the smallest injury, can threaten all of the time and effort put into your weight management journey.  In order to avoid such a tragedy and to feel strong on the slopes, strengthen your core and legs and take care of your joints.  If you find yourself with a “tweaked” ankle or a sore shoulder, try and strengthen the muscles around the injury with non-weight bearing activities.  Getting in the water and swimming a few laps regularly will keep muscles toned without the impact.  If you’re not a swimmer, try running in water or water aerobics.  If you are not able to get to a pool, keep your muscles active without bearing weight.

• Ankle injury: write the alphabet with your foot elevated and try not to compensate too much while you walk.
• Shoulder injury: if you have a yoga ball, hold it up to a wall at shoulder-height and press the palm of the injured arm in the middle of it.  Have a friend tap all sides of the ball around you for one minute – they’ll get a workout too!

***Do all exercise within reason and without too much pain – staying active is great while staying injured is no fun.***

Remember to hydrate before, during, and after your trips as the elevation can make you very dehydrated.  Also, pack a cheese-stick or some almonds to avoid stopping too often at the lodge.

Happy trails!

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1. While it is tempting to do otherwise when you are feeling pumped-up about the fresh start the calendar brings us, MAKE ONE RESOLUTION, not a long list of them. Research shows that those who make a long list of resolutions become so de-motivated by the many items they aren’t doing, that they give up on doing even one! One is a powerful number when it comes to resolutions, so choose wisely. The next item will help you to make that one resolution stick…
2. Mark what you will do to work towards or maintain your resolution on a weekly (or daily) basis on your calendar. For example, if your resolution is to exercise more, write down the specifics of how you will do that (Jog for 30 min Mon/Wed/Fri) instead of just “exercise more”. The illumination of the smaller goals you can meet weekly to keep your resolution will keep you feeling successful right from the start. What’s more, if you find success in the smaller victories, you are more likely to stick with the larger resolution long enough to make it an integral part of your life long-term. And for help on how to choose a resolution that you will want to stick with, consider our third suggestion…
3. If you have had trouble with resolution-making in the past, you are not alone! So maybe it is time to try a different approach. For instance, if you have been focusing on things related to your body, consider moving that focus to your mind, or spirit. For example, consider making a volunteer activity a part of your life. The giving spirit of volunteerism often leads to feeling better about yourself overall, which can lead to taking better care of yourself physically. Or if you want to learn a new language, do it! Putting your mind to work on a new project can boost your confidence and influence how you feel about your abilities to conquer new things. Switching the focus to a different aspect of your health can influence how you feel about your whole self: body, mind, and spirit. Try addressing a new one of these major parts of the self and see how it impacts the other two! Let us know if you try this out and how it worked for you!

Happy Resolution Making and Happy New Year!

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I’ve needed to do this for years. After all, Mrs. Claus has been making snide remarks about my love handles ever since Grover Cleveland was in office! I’ve caught Comet and Cupid complaining about the extra weight they’re now pulling on more than one occasion. And I think I’ve been kidding myself when I say that the chimneys are getting smaller each year.

Let’s face it, having a belly like a bowl full of jelly isn’t exactly healthy. My doctor has been warning me for years that eating 10 million cookies in a single night is a sure-fire recipe for diabetes. I’m one candy cane away from a heart attack. So if I don’t make some lifestyle changes stat, you could be getting your presents from Seymour the Christmas Elf next year!

So Dr. Bourke and Dr. Lai of JumpstartMD have agreed to help me lose weight. They’re tailoring a low-carb, lean-protein diet that meets my needs (lots of spinach, no venison). The elves have agreed to refrain from bringing sweets into the workshop, at least until the visions of sugarplums stop dancing in my head. I’m even getting some nuts and a nutcracker to help me get through the cravings.

The best part about the JumpstartMD program is that you meet individually with a counselor each week. This extra support helps me through the times when I’m naughty and cheers me on when I’m nice. They’ve got medical professionals, registered dietitians, therapists, and fitness experts. They help me make the right choices for my on-the-snow lifestyle – eggs, yes, nog, no. They’ve also provided me with plenty of helpful recipes – I’ve even learned to roast chestnuts on an open fire.

So, boys and girls of the world, why not join me as I try to lose weight in 2012? You can talk to one of the JumpstartMD’s little helpers at 1-855-JUMPSTART or request an appointment here.

Happy New Year!

Santa M. Claus

P.S. For Christmas 2012, please don’t leave out that plate of “Grandma’s Secret Recipe” cookies for me – maybe just one as a treat.  I’m a late-night, stress eater so Christmas Eve is a real challenge for me!

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