This past week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of a new weight loss drug, Qsymia. On the one hand this is great. With the current obesity epidemic in this country, we need something to help us out. On the other hand, this is giving people an additional crutch in the battle of the bulge. I am not going to go into detail on the drug itself, you can read all about it in the link below. However, I do want to highlight some statistics from the article.

Studies done on Qsymia showed that most of the patients on this drug lost at least 5% of their body weight with an average weight loss of 6.7 % of their body weight when recommended dosages were used and 8.9% of their body weight lost with the highest daily dosages used.  This weight loss occurred over the course of 1 year. While this is pretty good weight loss, the same and even better could be achieved with good ole fashioned diet and exercise.

For instance, 5% of a 200 lb person is only a 10 lb weight loss over the course of a year. This same person could cut their daily caloric intake by 250 calories and lose more than this over the course of a year. And, if that same person, added in the daily recommended 30 minutes of exercise, they would lose even more.

I highlight these facts because many times we are motivated to look for a quick, simple, solution to a big problem. However, what seems like the “easy” solution, isn’t always the best or most effective solution.

I have patients tell me everyday, “I have tried everything and I just can’t seem to lose weight.” Usually they have not tried “everything.” Losing weight is a battle between calories in and energy expended out. You have to burn more calories than you consume to win this battle.

In this blog I plan to add more post about different things I have had experienced that have helped me and others to lose weight, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Just remember, don’t always go for the “easy” solution!

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm312468.htm