The 600-pound lie that won’t let you lose weight

I just can’t go another moment without discussing my latest television obsession with you. It’s a show called “My 600-Pound Life.”

Yes… 600 pounds. That’s not a typo. And I didn’t make it up. It’s a real series on TLC that airs on Tuesday evenings. And I would encourage everyone to tune in tonight–and to set your DVR for future episodes. Because it’s informative, to say the least.

I mean, I’m a doctor who specializes in nutrition and weight loss. And even I had no idea that there are thousands of 600-pound people in America. When I first heard of the show, I thought viewers would be following one exceptionally obese person.

No, no, no. In fact, we are following one person each week.

It’s true. And it only gets more shocking. This show also illuminates the fact that each year, doctors perform hundreds of weight loss surgeries. And you know what? They only serve as a permanent solution for five percent of these patients.

Now, I don’t know about you, but this seems like a gross misuse of funds to me. Especially in an era when we ration medical services to just about everyone across the board.

But truly the saddest thing about this show is the emotional experience of the 600-pound people it follows.

I could dissect the whole series down to each and every sound bite it delivers. (And actually, I’ll be doing just that on Twitter while the show airs–so if you aren’t already following me, why not start now?)

Today, though, I just want to discuss one thing I noticed in particular. While I was watching the last episode, it occurred to me that no matter how overweight a person is, the reasons will always be the same.

The people on this show just take these emotional patterns to an extreme place. That’s really the only difference.

So ask yourself. Have you ever uttered these words?

“I feel my body is a prison”

“Food makes me happy”

“Food comforts me”

“I eat because I am sad” (or “depressed” or “stressed” or “happy” or…)

I’ve been fat before. And I know I have uttered some of those words. All of them, actually.

But the one word I heard the most in “My 600-Pound Life” is how “hard” it is to eat right, to exercise, or to lose the weight for good. And you know what bothers me about that?

It’s just not true. I don’t care if you have 600 pounds to lose… or 60. At the end of the day, losing weight is only as hard as you make it.

And believe me, I speak from experience. Which is why my New Hamptons Health Miracle is built on the foundation of delicious food. Fresh vegetables, low-sugar fruits, lean protein, cheese, nuts, and plenty of healthy fats.

Food that you can eat plenty of… and still be healthy and thin.

Not to cash in all my pop culture chips, but it reminds me of something I heard when I tuned into Howard Stern recently. One of his employees had gained weight, and once again, was saying how “hard” it was to lose.

Well without going into too much detail, Howard responded by reciting his dinner menu from the night before. A warm cauliflower salad with a dressing, arctic char, and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Then he said he wanted dessert… but he chose not to eat it. Because he was satisfied, and his meal was delicious.

Now, regardless of what your opinions of Howard Stern might be, there’s no arguing that he has the right idea when it comes to nutrition. And that, dear readers, is the New Hamptons way.

We all want to be gluttons. It’s practically imprinted in our DNA as Americans. But you don’t have to be gluttonous to be indulgent. And you don’t have to suffer to get healthy. You just don’t.

At the end of the day, it’s just as easy to choose to be healthy as it is not to. I don’t know about you, but for me, it would be much harder to be imprisoned in my home because of my size.

Ultimately, it’s really your decision. But as a formerly obese and now proudly fit person, I can tell you I stay slim on nothing but delicious food. And you can, too.