Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (46 page)

There is a connection between thoughts, feelings, and weight. I am talking about relationships, divorces, marriages, break-ups, disappointments, job losses, bereavement, accidents, or illness. I put it all under the heading of “Stuff.” And Stuff can be a major blockage to weight loss.

Stuff may be big or small, recent or go way back to childhood. Unresolved problems from childhood and our teen years often manifest as comfort eating in adulthood. Anesthetizing emotional pain with rubbish food is a no-win situation for your health—but you probably don’t even know you’re doing it. A common result is that you end up yo-yo dieting, which can be a real blow to self-esteem and confidence when the diets don’t seem to work in the long run. It’s crucial to think of your body and mind when embracing health. Everything is connected. Recognize and acknowledge any negative thoughts; then let them go. Allow your thoughts, words, and actions to always be kind, positive, and loving. This is my greatest secret to achieving wellness and balance on all levels.

When do you need to start worrying about your weight?

The answer is never. I don’t want you to ever be worrying about your weight. Weight balance is a by-product of the work I do, never the focus. Take note of your body, but please do not become obsessed; follow the Gillian McKeith healthy lifestyle and the weight will take care of itself.

The first step is to admit responsibility. Yes, we live in a sedentary, fast-food-loving world. But it’s still your choice as to how you live. Remind yourself what your kitchen and your sneakers are for. (Clue: they’re not for heating up take-out and looking fashionable.)

There are three main indicators:

1) A BMI of 25 or over

Obesity can be assessed by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is your weight in pounds multiplied by 703, divided by your height in inches squared. The ideal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, while people with a BMI from 25 to 30 are classified as overweight. Above 30 is obese and over 40 is morbidly obese.

(Note that BMI doesn’t take into account body shape or muscle-to-fat ratio, so it’s not the best indicator on its own.)

2) A bulging waist that measures over 32 inches

Carrying fat around your middle is associated with many health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. A waist circumference greater than 32 inches or 80 cm for women and 37 inches or 94 cm for men needs action.

3) A waist-to-hip ratio of over 0.8

The waist-to-hip ratio is also a factor. To calculate it, divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. If you’re a man, a ratio of 1 or more should set alarm bells ringing. Likewise, if you’re a woman, a ratio of more than 0.8 means you need to get with my plan.

Being overweight puts you at increased risk of developing:

Cardiovascular problems
including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and high cholesterol.

Diabetes—
being overweight makes you ten times more likely to develop type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure and adult-onset blindness. It can also lead to diabetic neuropathy and the need for limb amputations.

Respiratory problems—
excess weight puts an added strain on the lungs so that even minor activities such as climbing the stairs or carrying shopping bags become difficult. Sleep apnea and snoring are also increased in overweight people. These both lead to fitful sleep and tiredness during the day.

Musculoskeletal problems—
carrying extra weight puts a huge strain on the skeleton, joints, muscles, and nerves. Being overweight increases the risk and severity of arthritic disorders, gout, and backache.

Digestive problems—
reflux or heartburn, and gas, are more common in overweight people, as the abdominal fat around the stomach increases the pressure on the digestive system, causing stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus.

Urinary incontinence—
can result from the weight of the abdomen weakening the valve in the bladder. This can lead to leakage of urine, especially when laughing, sneezing, or coughing.

Venal problems—
excess weight can increase the pressure on the veins, leading to varicose veins and skin ulcers.

Female hormone imbalances—
being overweight increases the risk of infertility, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and problems during pregnancy.

Cancer—
being overweight may increase the risk of developing cancers of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, prostate, breast, and colon.

Gallbladder disease—
the risk increases as your weight increases.