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Keeping fit through the holidays

12/24/2005

With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, it will take a great amount of control and discipline not to eat all those goodies that come with the holiday festivities. The rounds of parties during the holidays present the temptation to binge. But then afterward comes its consequences, and you will surely regret having gained some extra pounds that you would have to doubly exert effort to lose.

But, there are experts who could effectively help you in that area. People who want to lose weight or those with obesity problems can seek professional assistance at the St. Luke’s Weight Management Center.

Tagged as a “one-stop shop” in weight management, the center is in its second year of operation. It is the only hospital-based center of its kind complete with a multidisciplinary team composed of physician specialists, dietitians, behavorial psychologist/psychiatrist and nurses. It even has its own gym where patients can exercise under the supervision of physical therapists.

At the center, the patient, together with weight management consultants, set realistic weight loss goals. The initial goal is usually set at 5 to 10 percent of the patient’s weight with an equivalent of about 1 to 2-lbs loss per week.

According to Nenita Umali, weight management dietitian and section manager of the center, presently, there are a lot of Filipinos who are on the heavy side and that the threat of obesity is beginning to show among the young and old alike.

“As the eating habits and diet of Filipinos get to be like those of affluent Western countries and the seeming fondness for junk food increases, we see a lot of our countrymen accumulating unwanted inches and pounds which put them at risk for certain types of diseases,” she says.

Citing studies, Umali says carrying around those extra kilos of fat in one’s body not only undermines one’s self esteem but also poses numerous health risks. An overweight or obese individual is a sure candidate for arthritis, gout and some types of cancer, she warns.

But Umali stressed that losing weight is a combination of exercise and dieting and that moderation is key to keeping fit. She, however, also said it is easier for young people to lose weight than older people.

For more information on St. Luke’s Weight Management Center, call 723-0101 local 5209.