Daily News column for July 13 edition
YOU MIGHT say he's picture perfect.
Tall and striking, at 58 he's the author of five successful books on weight loss and nutrition (including one of my personal favorites) and probably one of the most cutting-edge physicians in medicine.
I first saw Dr. Howard M. Shapiro on "Oprah" several years ago talking about his first book, "Picture Perfect Weight Loss," which paired photographs of healthy and not-so-healthy meals to dramatically illustrate how to make better food choices. I loved that book and often recommend it to clients.
In "Picture Perfect," Shapiro explained that there are no forbidden foods. That's precisely my kind of nutrition plan.
A native of New Jersey, Shapiro received a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University, a master's from George Washington University and a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his radiology residency at my undergraduate alma mater, Temple University.
Shapiro is a health warrior, if you will, a revolutionary who combines plain old common sense with medicine to help everyday people live better lives.
Recently, the doctor and I met at the Four Seasons Hotel to discuss his newest book, "Picture Perfect Prescription." He shared some of his secrets for a happy, healthy and long life.
You and your food
"The only way to lose weight and keep it off is to change your relationship with food," Shapiro said. "Diets don't work. Deprivation is counterproductive, and fasting can actually harm you."
I agree.
The bottom line is that about 98 percent of people who lose weight using quick-fix methods and fad diets typically gain all the weight back and then some, studies show.
Shapiro on the other hand, recommends that you eat when hungry and until you are satisfied - but with awareness. "Take charge of your choices so that you enjoy the variety of foods available to you while you lose weight and maintain your weight loss for life."
Eating right isn't just about weight loss, either, he pointed out.
"The way we eat is killing us. It is making us fat, and it is setting us up for debilitating and destructive diseases that erode the quality of our lives even as they cut our lives short."
Wow, talk about food for thought.
Beyond weight loss
In "Picture Perfect Prescription," Shapiro goes beyond weight loss and provides his four-point plan to help you change your life in as little as 11 days.
According to Shapiro, being at the perfect BMI (body mass index) is not enough. He writes in the book, "You can lose all the weight you want, but at the same time, you need to deal with stress. Otherwise, the health benefits that you gain by achieving an ideal weight can easily be wiped out by the harm of being wired, anxious, or a bundle of nerves."
In short, this doctor's prescription is that we chill out, move, eat nutritiously and connect.
We've all heard the saying that stress kills, and indeed it does. The research is irrefutable, and so is Shapiro: "People who have the ability to manage stress, quite simply, live longer and better."
Get moving
Despite all the evidence, most Americans don't get in even the minimum recommendations for exercise. According to research recently published in Archives of Internal Medicine, less than 3 percent of Americans exercise regularly and live a healthy lifestyle.
A big no-no, Shapiro said.
"Exercise literally saves your life, lengthens your years, injects you with more energy and helps every organ in your entire body work better."
But that's not enough.
You can work out until you have a perfect body, but if you really want to improve your health, the good doctor believes you'll need to make an investment in human capital as well.
Said Shapiro, "Researchers have discovered the quality of your relationships with other people in your personal, social and spiritual life has a huge impact on your health and your life span."
Comments (5)
First, congrats on your "new" role & much success!
OK, as with many people, I've tried all types of "programs" to lose weight. I think the entire "lose weight" phrase should be tossed! "Lose weight" gives a false presumption level of fitness & good health!
Changing body types is condusive with numerous lifestyle changes. Fitness, eating better, fluid intake, physical & mental health all play equally important parts in this journey.
The one book I've purchased which really made the difference for me was recommended by friends, and is featured on MensHealth.com, The Abs Diet. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! In three months, I've gone from a size 16 to a 12.
How? Changing my eating habits & exercising. It's not rocket science but it does take discipline and motivation.
I don't weigh myself because it really isn't an indication of "weight loss". Due to fitness activities, I've gained muscle which,of course, is heavier than fat.
Get back to the basics and watch what you put into your system. That's the only system you may need (depending on certain conditions).
(These thoughts are based on my personal experiences and opinions)
Posted by MBenita | July 13, 2005 4:46 PM
Posted on July 13, 2005 16:46
MBenita,
You got it! That's it. Living the lifestyle
Posted by Kimberly | July 13, 2005 9:08 PM
Posted on July 13, 2005 21:08
Congrats on your continued success with getting health and fitness news out to women!
I fully agree that what you eat and how much you eat are key. I eat once or twice a day, if I even do that. I have suffered and currently suffer from fibroids which cause blotting, weight gain, etc. I have been keping up with all of your posting of great information. Why some may ask? To get into the best shape and health that I can once my surgery is complete. I used to workout before hitting my thirties and singing on a regular basis used to help keep me in good shape ( due to constant muscle usage), but sitting at a desk 8 hours a day and snacking has changed much.
I am looking forward to reading and responding on your new site and I am hoping that great information can be shared between people who have been rendered invisible by the health and medical field (WOMEN).
Posted by Bambi | July 14, 2005 9:14 AM
Posted on July 14, 2005 09:14
Bambi:
Hello. Just wanted to extend that my thoughts are with you as you approach surgery. Although I've never (Thank God) had uterine fibroids, I have had 5 breast biopsies which (Thank God again!) were all benign.
Now, you stated that you may eat 2 meals per day.
Is that due to your work schedule or just because you're not "real" hungry?
I was (and I'm still battling this) never a "good" eater but have found that if I eat 6 small meals throughout the day, I don't binge & I'm never hungry. The 6 small meals work out to be: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. The snack can be fruit, nuts, veggies, etc...as long as it's light.
Since our bodies requires certain foods for energy and proper organ function, we must continually feed it.
Even sitting in a chair all day, incorporate a few pilates or yoga moves for stretching and muscle movement. Do leg lefts under the desk and abs contractions. For the most part, no one knows what you're doing :)
Good Luck!
Posted by MBenita | July 14, 2005 2:26 PM
Posted on July 14, 2005 14:26
I don't eat because I'm not hungry. As a matter of fact, it may take 2-3 days before I get hungry. If I eat breakfast, then I have to skip lunch or it ends up in the trash. If I have a sandwich during lunch, I will not be able to eat again until 8:00 p.m. I have tried breaking my meals up into smaller meals and still don't eat more than twice a day. I eat when I am hungry, which isn't often.
Posted by Bambi | July 26, 2005 11:54 AM
Posted on July 26, 2005 11:54