Happy New Year!

Hi, Everyone –

Another year has gone by and here we are again. It’s up to you, 2009 can be the best year of your life, or it can be another year where the resolutions go out the window. This time, hold yourself accountable – write it down. What are your resolutions for this year? How many times have you had the same resolutions before?

This is your year,

Dr. Snyder

Add comment January 2nd, 2009

Fat Fighter TV

Hi, Everyone –

An interesting health-focused Web site was recently brought to my attention that has lots of great resources for anyone looking to get healthy. Fat Fighter TV is the brainchild of veteran health reporter Sahar Aker, a journalist who has found her way from news stations across the U.S. to Fat Fighter TV.

The site has heath information, news, tips, recipe exchanges and a video forum with all original videos. The videos are pretty interesting. Many of them are real people giving their own diet and weight-loss tips. For an entertaining and informative experience, check it out. Anyone have any other must read sites to share?

Dr. Snyder

Add comment November 20th, 2008

Shielding your kids from eating disorders

Hi, Everyone –

A disturbing article came out in the UK’s Sun today. The article discusses the recent rise in the number of young girls battling eating disorders. In just 13 months, the British Pediatric Service Unit reported that there were 206 cases of anorexia in children under the age of 13, and the youngest reported was just six-years-old.

It is so important that kids have good role models when it comes to eating, being active and accepting their bodies. With all of the negative images in the media, it is even more important that kids have positive influences they can emulate. How do you keep your kids grounded when it comes to a healthy lifestyle?

Dr. Snyder

1 comment November 10th, 2008

Criteria for Gastric Bypass

Hi, Everyone –

An article I was interviewed for in the Denver Metro September edition of M.D. News recently came out, and after reading the article, I realized there is some really important information I have not talked about on this blog. As you may know, I am a bariatric surgeon and the criterion for bariatric surgery is a very common question I get. Gastric bypass is by no means a quick fix, but it can be a very effective tool for certain people.  As outlined in the article I mentioned, written by Jeanne Davant, below is the checklist for bariatric surgery:

·         BMI of 40, or 35 with comorbidities.

·         Comorbidities such as depression, diabetes, fatigue, GERD, heart disease, coronary heart disease,     hyperlipidemia, hypertension, joint pain, menstrual and/or fertility issues, sleep disorders, and urinary stress incontinence

·         Failure of previous weight-loss attempts

·         No medical problems that would make surgery too hazardous

·         No abuse of drugs or alcohol for at least one year

·         Non-smoker, or willingness to quit in anticipation of surgery

·         Readiness to make permanent life changes

·         The personal desire to have surgery for yourself

If you have any questions, just ask!

Dr. Snyder

Add comment October 14th, 2008

Be an inspiration

Hi Everyone –

There is nothing better than hearing an inspirational story or accomplishment. You know, the kind that give you goosebumps and inspire you to make changes in your own life. One of things I like most about my job is witnessing people accomplish things they didn’t know they could accomplish. Well, I think you should make it a point to tell someone who might need some inspiration, and tell me too! Whether it’s about weight-loss, getting healthy or changing your life for the better, tell your story. If you would like to share it with me, send your stories to drmichaelsnyder@gmail.com. 

Dr. Snyder

Add comment September 25th, 2008

Success along the way

Hi, Everyone –

Sometimes I think it can be really easy to get really caught-up in the end result of getting healthy and losing weight. Of course, reaching your ultimate goal is important, but you also need to enjoy the ride. Today, Kevin over at Weight Ladder posted some tips that really hit home. He lists some of the best ways to measure your success. Check it out.

 Dr. Snyder

1 comment August 28th, 2008

Make you a project

Hi, Everyone –

I’m sure that most of you out there like to take-on projects of some kind. Whether it’s DIY projects, hobbies, sports or whatever else, we all have things we like to do in our free time. Well, here’s a thought, how about you make yourself a project?

If I gave you a project, say at home or at work, you would probably do a great job!  You would do the research and fill out the report and or paint the garage, whatever.  Why not make yourself a project?  Take it as seriously as you would take a work project, or your kids or your spouse.  Make you a project.

Dr. Snyder

Add comment August 18th, 2008

Fat Man Unleashed

Hi, Everyone –

Weight-loss is really an incredible journey. You have to change not only your habits, but your entire life. I have mentioned before that I have dealt with weight issues in the past and I know how difficult it can be to overcome the struggle.

However, it is amazing what people can do when they put their mind to it. What is even more amazing to me are the people who have the courage to put their weight-loss journey out there for everyone to see. There are quite a few weight-related blogs out there and one of the most interesting bloggers is Israel Lagares. Israel writes the Fat Man Unleashed blog which provides valuable tips, tools and a personal account of his progress.  I really like the overall message here because it is not about craziness or deprivation – just good old hard work and using the right tools.

I want to hear from you, do you have a favorite weight-loss blog or resource you always follow? Let me know.

Also, congrats on the weight lost this week, Israel.

Dr. Snyder

Add comment August 1st, 2008

Tweet What You Eat

Hi, Everyone –

I hope you all had a great weekend! Since holidays are generally detrimental to healthy eating, I stumbled across a new way to track your diet and get yourself back on track after too much fun on the fourth.

Whether you are already tweeting your friends or not, Twitter has a new diet-tracking function that is a great tool to keep your food intake on track. Twitter’s TweetWhatYouEat.com allows you to post the foods you are eating, including the number of calories. If you don’t know the caloric intake, no worries, you can either lookup the information online or get help from others.

For those of you who don’t know, Twitter is a social networking and microblogging site where you can post updates for friends and family throughout the day to keep everyone updated on what you are doing at any given time. To participate in TweetWhatYouEat.com, you need to get a Twitter account and then make friends with TweetWhatYouEat, or TWYE, on the Twitter site. Once you are friends, you send direct messages to TWYE and then the messages become a part of your diary.

When starting out on your weight loss journey, it is very important to be both aware and accountable. This means that you need to be aware of what you are eating and you need to feel accountable for the decisions you make; TweetWhatYouEat.com is a great way to make sure you are on track.

Tweet What You Eat allows you to post from the web, your phone or even via instant message. Not only is this method easily accessible, but you will be amazed at what keeping a food diary will do for your diet. Check out the links below to get started with your Twitter and Tweet What You Eat.

http://www.tweetwhatyoueat.com/
http://twitter.com/home

Happy tweeting,

Dr. Snyder

Add comment July 8th, 2008

Find your support network

Hi Everyone –

I’m not sure if any of you know this, but I have battled with weight loss in my past as well. At a certain point in my life, I made the decision that I needed to get healthy and happy. One thing that is so important when taking the first step on your getting healthy journey is finding support and accountability.

The best way to find this support and accountability is to find people who can help you along the way. Whether you have a friend or family member joining you in getting healthy, an online support forum or just someone to talk to about your goals, put your struggles and successes out there. You don’t have to do it alone!

Dr. Snyder

Add comment June 12th, 2008