Yu,

Please find attached my before and after picture. My testimony for others is:

After following the strategy that Yu Kang, OMD had planned out for me, her techniques helped to give me a new start on life. I have chronic back pain with sciatic nerve damage but with the weight loss and herbal medicines it has made a difference in the quality of my life. I make the sacrifices because I don't want to just exist in life but to actually live life. Acupuncture is a way to get some relief without the surgeries. I am a walking witness to doing things naturally as opposed to surgery. Surgery did not work for me but acupuncture is a change for the better. I still have the problems but I can manage the day to day better with the aide of acupuncture.
 
Roxane

Lost 35 lbs in 4 months

I have no more headaches

Lost 15 Ibs in 1 month

I am more focused and have better memory

Lost 26 Ibs in four months

I am more active and no back pain



Patient is proud to show her pants has to be folded

after 25 Ibs weight loss in three months

Chinese Medicine and Weight Management

According to the World Health Organization there are 1 billion people globally that are overweight and 300 million that are clinically obese. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey from 1999 to 2002, 65 percent of the U.S. population is overweight and 30 percent are considered clinically obese. This is defined as body mass index (BMI= weight in kilogram divided by height in meter squares) is over 30. There continues to be an increase number of people that are becoming overweight or obese. The National Health Statistics reported that the body mass index (BMI) increased 30 percent in 1999-2000.

Western View

Obesity is excess fat within the body and tissues. There could be many reasons that lead to obesity and overweight, which may include genetics and environment. Researchers have found that certain genes may causes individuals to become more susceptible in becoming obese. Studies have shown the possibilities of hereditary factors being responsible for about 50-70% of the changes in weight. Genes can also contribute to where fat is stored and differences in metabolism.

The environment has also been another major cause leading obesity and overweight. Researchers have found that environmental changes such as moving to a new country or city can lead to different eating habits which in turn have lead to weight gain. Eating habits have changed and there has been an increase of calorie intake and not enough exercise to burn the calories. The imbalance between energy input and output leads to excess accumulation of fat in the body.

The environment can include many other factors that can lead to weight gain such as work, stress, and other lifestyle habits. Research have shown that job related stress can contribute to obesity and overweight. Another factor that the environment influences is the state of mind. Each individual person may have different problems in life that may also lead to psychological problems. When an individual has depression or other types of emotional disorders there may be a tendency to eat more that may lead to obesity. Research has shown that the main conclusion for the reason of obesity is the imbalance of consumption and expenditure of calories.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major diseases associated with obesity. The excess fat in the body can put excess stress on the heart. The heart has to pump more blood causing it to become enlarged resulting in heart failure. Obesity can also affect the lung causing obstruction and difficulties in breathing leading to pulmonary complications. Diabetes is another major complication. Overweight people have a three times greater risk of becoming diabetic. The increase in fat will change endocrine function. It causes an increase in glucose and a resistance to insulin resulting in type 2 diabetes. Diseases such as gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, prostate problems, and respiratory difficulties.

Treatments. Weight loss programs can range from individual tailored exercises and diet plans to medical interventions such as surgery and weight loss medications. Whatever weight loss program individuals participate in researchers have concluded some key principles for weight management. In order to be successful in managing weight and obesity lifestyle change is in the heart of the matter. Behavioral changes and physical exercise have been the major contributing factors in treating obesity and overweight.

Besides behavioral changes, physical exercise is also a key factor for weight loss. In order to expend energy there has to be exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that adults expend 300 to 500 kcal per exercise session or 1,000 to 2,000 k cal per week. A weight loss program should start with losing 10 percent of weight from baseline within six months.

The main goal for western treatment for obesity is eating fewer calories and having physical exercise. In extreme cases there could be surgery and also weight loss medications. Besides western intervention, complementary and alternative medicine is becoming more popular to help control weight and many individuals are looking for different interventions in losing weight.

Chinese Medicine View

Obesity was first mentioned in Chinese medicine in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic of Medicine: "When treating exhaustion syndromes, sudden syncope, hemiplegia, atrophy, or rapid respiration conditions that occur in obese patients, recognize that these are usually due to overindulgence in rich foods."

The etiology and pathogenesis of obesity in Chinese medicine has four main factors. They include "righteous qi deficiency, improper diet, lack of physical exercise, and constitutional factors." Deficiency of righteous qi has many reasons. The result however is damage to the spleen. The spleen is in charge of transportation and transformation. When there is a dysfunction of the spleen there will be an accumulation of dampness and phlegm causing weight gain. Improper diet can also injure the spleen and stomach. When an individual eats too much greasy and rich foods overtime it will injure the spleen and stomach. The result of eating too much greasy foods will be an accumulation of damp-heat and phlegm. Lack of physical exercise can cause poor circulation within the body. Qi and blood are not able to flow in the body causing stagnation. The stagnation of fluids in the body can result into dampness and fat. Constitutional factors were noted in the Internal Classics. The physical appearance of being overweight can be inherited from parents and past generations.

The main factors that cause obesity in Chinese medicine are phlegm and dampness. Because phlegm and dampness is the major contributor to fat in Chinese medicine, the spleen is the major organ because of the spleen's physiological function. However, there is also another factor that may leads obesity is qi and blood stagnation.

Pattern Differentiation. Obesity and overweight in Chinese medicine is based on differentiation of syndromes. Although the main cause of obesity is phlegm and dampness there will be accompanying symptoms that will help differentiate obesity according to each individual's constitution. The main differentiation of syndromes for obesity are spleen deficiency with dampness accumulation, hyperactive stomach with hypoactive spleen, phlegm-dampness obstruction in the middle burner, qi stagnation and blood stasis, and spleen and kidney yang deficiency.

Obesity due to spleen deficiency with dampness occurs because the spleen is not able to transport and transform resulting in accumulation of dampness which will cause obesity. The accompanying symptoms include obesity or overweight with edema, heaviness of extremities, fatigue, abdominal distention, poor appetite, loose stool, pale and swollen tongue with soft slippery pulse.Over working, overall thinking, multiple surgeries, dramatic life events, not eating foods properly for long term, all contribute to the spleen Qi deficiency. The spleen becomes injured and not be able to transport and transform dampness. The result will be an accumulation of dampness causing overweight.

Hyperactive stomach with hypoactive spleen occur when the patient has excessive appetite due to stomach fire, consuming too much foods and not able to digest foods properly. This is much like adding lots of foods into a small pot with lots of cooking heat. The results are weight gain, indigestion, tiredness, red tongue with coating and weak slippery pulse. Phlegm dampness obstruction in the middle jiao is a pattern that is related to the constitution of the individual. The main symptoms include improper diet eating rich and greasy foods, heaviness and numbness in limbs, dizziness, and distention in the head. There is a greasy or yellow greasy tongue, wiry and slippery pulse.

Liver Qi stagnation and blood stasis is mostly caused by emotional factors. In Chinese medicine liver is in charge of emotion, long term stress and unhappy relationship cause liver Qi stagnate. Qi controls on the blood flow, eventually, blood flow becomes stagnate. Accompanying symptoms will include stabbing pain in the chest, irregular menstruation or amenorrhea, fibroid, endometriosis, or cysts in the ovaries, dark or purple tongue, and wiry or choppy pulse.

Spleen and kidney yang deficiency is obesity with edema on the lower limbs. Some of the accompanying signs are fatigue, loose stool, cold hands and feet, sore knees and low back, pale tongue with white slippery coating, deep weak pulse.

Herbal Treatment. The plan for treatment will be based upon each individual's constitution and differentiation of syndromes. The main focus for all treatment is to transform dampness and phlegm, tonify spleen, and facilitate the free flow of qi and blood.

The following herbal formulas are suggested to use with the appropriate diagnosis. Sheng Ling Bai Zhu San is for spleen qi deficiency with dampness accumulation. A modified Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan is used for a hyperactive and hypoactive stomach and spleen. Er Chen Tang and Ze Xie Tang together are used for phlegm dampness obstructing the middle jiao. Chai Hu Shu Gan San is used for qi stagnation and blood stasis. Zhen Wu Tang is used for spleen and kidney yang deficiency.

Acupuncture Treatment. The acupuncture points are relatively similar for all of the different types of differentiation. The main points that are used are ST 34, SP4, ST 40, and ST 36. The supplement points for spleen and kidney yang deficiency used are Ren 4, KD 3, qi stagnation and blood stasis SJ 4, SP 10, and phlegm heat SJ 6, LI 11. The auricular points used are stomach, endocrine, spleen and shen men. All of the points on the abdomen are connected to electrical stimulation.

As acupuncture and Chinese medicine has become more popular, there have been studies done on the effectiveness of acupuncture. There have been some studies performed looking at the treatment of obesity with acupuncture. One study demonstrated the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for weight loss. There were 54 patients separated into two groups; one doing sit-ups and the other doing electro-acupuncture. The study lasted 13 weeks. The acupuncture points used were Ren 6, Ren 9, St 28, KD 14, St 26, St 40, and SP 6. The electrical stimulator was connected on the points on the abdomen. The results of the study showed that acupuncture was more effective than doing sit up exercise.Another study used auricular acupuncture for weight loss. The study was done using bilateral auricular acupuncture points with electrical stimulation. There were 55 patients studied and 63.6 percent showed a decrease of body weight.

There continues to be many different studies that have shown the efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese medicine for the use of weight loss. This ancient medical practice continues to shine on the treatment of overweight related medical issues in the modern world. Besides acupuncture and herbal medicine, individuals must also exercise and practice correct dietary guidelines. Acupuncture and herbal medicine combined with exercise and dietary therapy can greatly enhance the treatment of obesity and help individuals manage their weight.

There has been a lot of discussion, research, sales hype and promotion of tea (cha) for weight loss in the media, as Asian cha culture is gaining popularity in the Western world.

This is particularly true with regard to green tea. It has become such an issue that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently "decided" that it is illegal to advertise cha for weight loss, lowering cholesterol or cancer prevention, despite volumes of worldly scientific data suggesting benefits of this beverage. In fact, a representative involved with the FDA, speaking at the 2005 California State Oriental Medicine Association Annual Conference, stated that "green tea extract" was being considered as a potential "controlled substance," along with numerous other Chinese herbs!

Generally speaking, green and white teas have a "cooling" effect on the body, taste "bitter" and are considered to be "draining" in nature. Red teas (referred to as black teas in the West) have a "warming" effect, taste "sweet" and are "tonifying" in nature. It is the degree of the chemical conversion process (roasting/oxidation/fermentation) used on any fresh-picked tea leaves that changes the leaf into a darker leaf, thus changing the beverage into a darker-colored, sweeter-tasting, tonifying beverage. The organs affected include the spleen, stomach, small and large intestine, lungs, liver, gallbladder, kidney, bladder and heart.

The most important data needed to determine what type of tea is best for weight loss for individual patients with different body constitutions. Clinically, it is my experience that when patients with spleen Qi deficiency consume large amounts of green tea, cause draining, purging of bowels/dampness for sure, but the underlying root factor (cold) will worsen, possibly to the point of causing diarrhea and cramping. On the other hand, hong cha (red tea) would be the correct tea to aid the patient, in that not only would they get a metabolism boost, but the intestines also would work better, due to the warming and "nourishing" of the spleen, stomach and intestines, resulting in a consolidating effect of the stool.

Obesity in this country exists for some simple reasons and some not so simple reasons. The simple ones include eating too many fast and prepared foods; having excess high-calorie, nutrient-deficient, sugar-laden drinks; too little exercise and too much television and computer time. The not so simple ones involve the spirit and shen. In most every case there is an emotional component. Food and mood go hand-in-hand. Stress, anxiety, depression are the causes that lots of people look for comfort zone in foods consumption.

As acupuncturists we have the tools and potential to treat weight loss. I couldn't count how many times I've had someone ask me, "Is there a point for weight loss?" As if there's some secret point that I can needle to make them magically deflate. Can we help obesity? Absolutely! We can strengthen their digestive system, work on will power (zhi), reducing cravings and support with herbs, but the needles can only do so much. The patients are the ones home at night in front of the refrigerator making decisions. I see my main role now as someone that will hold their feet to the fire, and the acupuncture as a supporting tool. If a new patient will not commit to making at least small changes, I refuse to work with them and tell them to come back when they are ready. This weeds out the ones that are merely playing at losing weight and I'm left with a more exciting patient to work with. I then start slowly asking them to make one change a week. Basics include: drinking the proper amount of water; starting to exercise (even if it is only walking one day a week), small changes to their diet, keeping a food journal.

Throughout the years, I've learned that the needles and my enthusiasm aren't enough and the only thing that works is if the patient sees results. People say all the time, "I can't lose weight, I've tried everything." That really isn't true, they just haven't found what works for them yet. Seeing results moves their mindset from one of discipline and dread to motivation and enthusiasm. Personal and environmental changes are not easy. In evolutionary terms, the old always fights the new. As we grow aware individually, we grow together as a society. The Earth, food, economics, politics, health and social demographics all go hand in hand; and things are changing. As we heal ourselves we heal the Earth and vice versa.

Going back to some recent announcements: It's not surprising that Lap-Band surgery doesn't work for everyone. You can reduce someone's stomach capacity to the size of a peanut but that does nothing to affect his/her desire to eat. If a hormone imbalance is affecting appetite and metabolism, or a digestive disturbance is making it difficult to excrete waste, weight is unlikely to come off.

Acupuncture differs in that it considers the whole picture. However, not everyone's picture looks the same. There is usually an anxiety-related component to overeating, and often an addictive quality to that behavior. Depression leading to lethargy and lack of motivation to exercise may be involved as well. But why is the anxiety happening? Where is the depression or the hormone imbalance coming from? Acupuncture can help with weight loss, but accurate diagnosis is critical, particularly in complicated cases.

In summary, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by itself or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs. By addressing both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss, acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a comprehensive therapy for weight issues that promotes better digestion, balances emotions, reduces appetite, improves metabolism and eliminates food cravings.

Each treatment is customized to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body are chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system. Treatments can include a combination of auricular (ear) and body acupuncture, ear tacks or pellets to leave on between treatments, herbs and supplements, abdominal massage, breathing exercises, and food and lifestyle recommendations.



If you struggle with your weight, you’re not alone. In fact, more than 30% of all U.S. adults meet the criteria for being obese.¹

A Variety of Reasons:

Acupuncture works to control weight on various levels.

Release Endorphins – With diet changes, many people experience cravings, which can lead to binge eating. Cravings in the body are often due to a lack of endorphins. Acupuncture can help to balance out the cravings by helping the body to release endorphins.

Reduce Stress – An increase in the “stress hormone” cortisol can alter the metabolism. Through the release of endorphins, the “stress hormone” can also be neutralized.

Support Digestion – Acupuncture can support the body to generate an efficient digestive process.

 Americans spend billions of dollars annually on weight loss products, but obesity is still on the rise. People are even turning to surgery as a weight loss option. This is a drastic measure and can cause unwanted side effects.

Unfortunately, excess weight is not just a cosmetic issue. Being overweight is a risk factor for many conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The good news is that maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk, and it’s never too late to get started. People seeking to address their weight concerns are turning to acupuncture as a natural and effective way to approach weight loss.

A traditional approach to healing

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) take a holistic, or whole-body approach to health. This ancient form of healthcare works to restore the balance and flow of the body’s Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy. According to TCM, the reasons why people gain weight, or find it difficult to lose weight, are numerous. Your acupuncturist is well versed in uncovering the root cause(s) or imbalances that have affected your weight.

Your acupuncturist will also take into consideration other factors that may have led to weight gain, including your lifestyle, and emotional and mental well-being. By taking your whole self into account, you and your acupuncturist can get to the root of your health concerns, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Other ways to support your path toward a happier, leaner you!

• Exercise is an important component of any weight loss program. Adding aerobic exercise, weight training, and other types of exercise to your daily routine will have a positive effect on your weight and general health.
• Diet is another important issue to consider. In general, a healthy diet is made up of unprocessed, organic foods, including a wide variety of whole grains and vegetables. Your acupuncturist may offer nutritional counseling designed for your specific needs.
• Stress relief may also be a part of your treatment. By learning to lower stress and anxiety through techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle exercise, you may lose weight more easily, and possibly stop destructive habits such as overeating.

 What will my acupuncturist do?

During your first visit, your acupuncturist will take an extensive health history and perform various exams. At the completion of your first visit, your acupuncturist will provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis and an explanation of your treatment plan. Your treatments will focus on correcting any underlying imbalances in your body, and will also help to support you in reaching your weight loss goals.

Based on your unique symptoms, your acupuncturist will choose to concentrate on acupuncture points related to specific organs. For example, restoring balance to the flow of Qi in the Stomach can help promote good digestion and suppress an overactive appetite. Emotional issues, such as anxiety and stress, both of which can lead to overeating, can be addressed by balancing the Liver.

A partnership for better health

It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a “quick fix.” By working with your acupuncturist, and committing to long-term goals, you will experience positive changes in your overall health, including maintaining a healthy body weight.

In addition to acupuncture treatments, your practitioner may also recommend other lifestyle changes. Whether you want to lose a few pounds or a significant amount, people are turning to acupuncture as a natural and effective way to approach weight loss. By working together with your practitioner, you can help your body regain its natural balance—and start taking steps toward true health and vitality. 

Sources:

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity

U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Encyclopedia, Article – Obesity. 4/19/2004.Komada, J., Article – Acupuncture for Weight Loss, 2003.Pitchford, P., Healing with Whole Foods, North Atlantic Books, 1993.

Seven Weight-Loss Strategies from Chinese Medicine

• #1: Eat food that is full of qi, or natural life energy. That means whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and organic meat. Avoid foods that are packaged, refined, and filled with artificial chemicals—especially artificial sweeteners and gimmicky “diet foods,” which often are low not only in calories but in nutrition. Emphasize quality as much as quantity (calories).

• #2: Don’t change dietary regimes too often, especially if your "digestive fire" is not very strong (meaning you feel sluggish, bloated, or gassy after eating). Pay attention to how you feel after meals to determine which foods support your well-being.

• #3: Eat slowly and mindfully. Set aside sufficient time to eat, and avoid distractions during meals such as computers and television. Taking time to really enjoy the flavors and sensations will help you feel satisfied without overeating, and it will support healthy digestion.

• #4: Live in accordance with your body’s natural rhythms. Eat a hearty breakfast. In TCM, 7 to 9 a.m. is the best time for digestion. Have a nutritious lunch and eat an early, light dinner. (The Chinese eat at 5 p.m.)

• #5: Go to bed by 10:30 p.m. to allow the liver and other organs to fully detoxify the body. The liver cleans the blood between 1 and 3 a.m., and you must already be in a deep sleep before 1 a.m. to get the full benefits. Sufficient rest is essential for healthy metabolism.

• #6: Engage in gentle qi-enhancing activities. Examples include chi gong (qi gong), t’ai qi (tai chi), restorative yoga, nature walks, gardening. Enjoy! This type of exercise is especially important for those tending toward burnout, to bring their energy back into balance.

• #7: Try acupuncture. Many people who try acupuncture find that ear needles work quickly to help reduce cravings and compulsive eating. After acupuncture, people notice that they’re naturally hungry at appropriate times of day, but not ravenously hungry. They are less stressed and less prone to engage in emotional eating.

Successful long term weight loss is incredibly difficult for most people to achieve. Many people have tried diets that may cause some weight loss, but then they gain back the weight they lost plus some additional pounds. This is why more and more people are turning to acupuncture weight loss treatments to try to handle their weight problem once and for all.

Acupuncture is a practice that is more than 3,000 years old, significantly older than Western medicinal therapies and practices. Acupuncture weight loss treatment involves what most people think of when they think about acupuncture. Inserting hair-thin needles into particular spots on the skin that are believed to help the body function properly.

Acupuncture stimulates the body to release endorphins, the body's own "feel-good" pain-relieving chemicals. It may be that one way acupuncture weight loss treatments help control appetiteis by releasing endorphins.

In the case of overweight patients, I will first ask a variety of questions and perform an examination. The purpose is to understand the main causes of the person's excess weight. Perhaps it is merely behavioral, due to an inactive lifestyle and lack of sleep, or emotional factors due to stress, depression, anger and frustration, or physiological reasons, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Once the root causes of the problem are identified, I will then insert needles into different areas of the body in order to help improve the body's functioning in a way that will promote weight loss. I will use multi-targeted approaches. These approaches may attempt to lower the body's weight by increasing the output of the pituitary gland; reducing cravings for certain foods or a decrease in natural appetite. The treatment can help better manage blood sugar levels or lipid levels in the blood. The care plan includes a combination of acupuncture (to suppress appetite, help circulation, and relax the body) customized herbal prescriptions (to reduce water retention, speed up body metabolism), therapeutic diets (foods that have functional purposes for weight loss and boost energy), meditation (to relax the body and help circulation), as well as streching exercises, such as tai qi and qi gong (to help joint flexibility and circulation). 

A benefit of acupuncture weight loss treatment is that unlike certain medications, there are no harmful side effects and no chance for addiction. It is a perfectly natural means of boosting the patient's weight loss efforts. Acupuncture weight loss treatments need to be repeated on a regular basis in order to maintain the effects. Attention should also be paid to diet and exercise. I will provide the patient with certain guidelines as to what to avoid eating in order to promote a regular flow of energy throughout the body as well.

 If you've been struggling with a stubborn weight problem, consider acupuncture weight loss treatment to give your weight loss efforts a boost.

Dietary Therapy

1. Green tea: has antioxidants, good for weight loss because it is a psychoactive stimulant and a mild diuretic, has caffeine, can cause insomnia.

Notes: limit caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate) after 4:00 pm for better sleep

2. American Ginseng: mild, slightly cool energy, tonifies qi, energy booster, anti-aging, increases blood pressure, potentially causes diarrhea

Korean ginseng: strong, hot energy, tonifies qi, energy booster, increases blood pressure, can cause nose bleeding if a person already has a hot body condition; used in emergency rooms in China, helps people regain consciousness. No. 1 qi tonic among all the Chinese herbs.

Notes: not every one needs a qi tonic

3. Rose flower: mild, improves blood circulation, improves facial color, regulates menstrual flow

Notes: a beauty secret for queens in ancient China

4. Chamomile flower: anti-inflammatory, reduces blood pressure, good for fevers, sore throats and aches and pains due to colds, flu, and allergies.

5. A Jiao: made with donkey skin! Tonifies blood, good for dry skin, dry hair and constipation, general tonic for a blood deficiency condition.

Walnuts and black sesame, is shape of brain and kidney, tonifies brain and kidneys, good for dry skin, dry gray hair, constipation, poor memory, anti-aging

Notes: not all Chinese herbs are from plants.

6. Eight treasure Chinese multi-grain soup: white rice (soothes the stomach), red beans (reduce ankle edema, water retention,  promote weight loss), mung beans (help heat stroke, good for fevers, sore throats), lotus seeds (reduce diarrhea, calm heart meridian, help sleep), red dates (tonify blood, calm spirit, high in iron), peanuts (called the longevity nut in China),longan pulp (tonifies blood, heart and spleen meridian, increases hot energy), goji berries (anti-aging, shape of kidney, tonify kidney, increase sexual energy), millet (high in iron, good for anemia, common food for women right after giving birth in northern China) The above ingredients are not available at regular grocery stores, but can be found at the First Oriental Market located at 2774 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.

7. Weight loss breakfast smoothie: 15-20 g protein (3-4 oz meat products, yogurt, protein powder) is the key to suppressing sugar cravings later on during the day; 2-3 whole fresh fruits, lots of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants, keep you high in energy, good for cholesterol as well; 1 cup water, helps to flush out the body's waste. Recipe is on my website www.medicalacupuncturenutrition.com

8. Another tip for weight loss: Eat a thick soup made with veggies (such as cabbage, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and carrots) and meat (ground meat, sausage or sea food). The key is a large volume of food and less calories; more info can be found in VOLUMATRIC (best seller book for weight loss, written by my advisor Dr. Barbara Rolls from Pennsylvania State University).