manage weight

Make Progress, Not Perfection

By Dr. Kushner / September 17, 2022 /

A common misperception my patients struggle with is thinking they have to strive for perfection in order to be successful managing weight and boosting health. But this perfectionistic mindset only sets you up for failure because eating and exercise rarely go perfectly each and every day. Since managing weight tends to be a lifelong endeavor,…

Read More

Strive to Try New Things as You Progress in Your Weight Management Journey

By Dr. Kushner / September 2, 2022 /

Living a healthier lifestyle and better managing weight have many benefits you may be unaware of. I’ve found that as individuals get healthier, many also start feeling motivated to try new things. I especially enjoy seeing my patients having new confidence as they set and attain new goals previously thought unachievable: One patient ran a…

Read More

Time to Update Your Heart Health

By Dr. Kushner / July 20, 2022 /

The American Heart Association has a new checklist for lifelong good health. It’s called Life’s Essential 8, which was recently updated by a panel of experts who reviewed 2500 scientific papers since 2010. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems. The 8 factors correlate well with…

Read More

Shared Decision-Making in Weight Management

By Dr. Kushner / July 13, 2022 /

Shared decision-making is a process whereby health care providers take into account each person’s personal preferences, priorities and goals before selecting a specific treatment plan. As a weight management expert, it’s a process I’ve been using for most of my career to help my patients lose weight and get healthier. Getting to know each patient…

Read More

Use Leftovers to Recreate Healthy Meals

By Dr. Kushner / June 4, 2022 /

“Doc, I just don’t eat leftover foods” is a comment I sometimes get from patients during my weight management counseling. I always encourage them to reconsider. With grocery prices soaring and food waste being so common, we know that using leftover food is a good strategy that helps your pocketbook and the planet. But you…

Read More

Is Lifestyle Modification for Weight Management Still Worth Your Time and Effort?

By Dr. Kushner / May 15, 2022 /

With all the exciting new drugs being developed to help people better manage weight, you may wonder if the time you’re spending on improving health habits are still worth your time and effort. Choosing healthier foods, becoming more active, getting more hours of restful sleep and better managing stress do take lots of time and…

Read More

Rethinking Weight Goals

By Dr. Kushner / April 24, 2022 /

In my practice, patients often have high hopes of losing a large amount of weight in a short period of time. I tell them that it’s important to have realistic expectations about what is practical and achievable; otherwise, they will be disappointed. I also discuss the importance of putting weight into the context of overall…

Read More

Nutritional Nudges to Improve Your Health

By Dr. Kushner / April 13, 2022 /

I am a firm believer that making small changes to what you eat and how you prepare foods can help improve your health. That’s because small diet changes are easier to incorporate into your life and can be easier for your family to adapt. In my weight management counseling, I always start with where the…

Read More

Tips to Improve Health Care Encounter when Talking about Weight

By Dr. Kushner / March 27, 2022 /

If you’re someone who struggles with weight, you may also struggle talking about weight with your health care provider. I know this because for the past 40 years I have talked to thousands of patients about weight and have seen firsthand how difficult this conversation can be for many individuals. Difficulties can range from people…

Read More

Different People, Different Struggles, Targeted Weight Management

By Dr. Kushner / March 12, 2022 /

I recently gave a webinar presentation for The Obesity Society on personalization in weight management. I shared the latest research on the importance of taking into account each person’s traits, habits and attitudes when developing an individualized treatment plan. One size does not fit all when it comes to helping people manage weight. I also…

Read More