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Suzy Zabel shows displays the badges & pins that are used as incentives to continue the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program. Photo by Gregory W. Blank

Written By Donna Engle

Need to lose 30 or 40 pounds? Body mass index (BMI: body fat based on height and weight) above 25 (overweight) or 30 (obese)? You have plenty of company. Nearly one in five Carroll County adults is obese, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. An additional 35 percent – 58,000 of us – are overweight.

The weight-loss industry is eager to help. Despite the economic downturn, Americans spent $60.9 billion on diet programs and products in 2011. Spending on weight loss has doubled in the last 20 years.

There is no “one size fits all” definition of overweight. The commonly-used BMI misidentifies athletes as overweight. Waist sizes greater than 35 inches for women, 40 for men are predictors of increased risk of obesity-related diseases.

Carroll residents who want to say au revoir to their extra avoirdupois have available a variety of local programs, non profit and for-profit. There are physician-supervised weight loss plans, exercise and diet programs, “biggest loser” challenges, prepackaged meals and protein drinks.

Family care physicians see the damage excess weight can do, from back and joint pains to high blood pressure and increased risk of diabetes.

Eldersburg family care practitioner Dr. Wendy Miller is proactive in addressing weight issues that affect her patients’ health:

“A BMI of 25 to 27 is probably not going to affect your health, but it becomes a real issue the closer you get to 30.” she said. “The biggest complaint I hear is, ÔI’m tired.’ Well, a 50-pound bag of dog food is hard to pick up. Imagine if you had that strapped to your back all day.”

Miller’s patients who respond positively to her “eat less, move more” message are encouraged to lose weight without intervention. If they need help, she may prescribe appetite suppressants temporarily, after checking kidney, liver and thyroid functions. Once patients succeed at weight loss, it becomes a motivator, she said.

Obesity specialist Dr. Paul Rivas, who has a Westminster office, started 20 years ago looking at why people overeat. It is not just appetite, it is also brain chemistry, he found. He began combining appetite suppressants with antidepressants to address issues such as cravings and compulsive eating. The approach has been criticized as unsupported by scientific studies. Rivas’ answer is that it has worked for thousands of patients he has treated.

More protein, fewer carbohydrates and grains – and no exercise initially – is the approach at Ideal Weight Loss, Westminster, owned by chiropractor Dr. Rosemary Lewis.

“People think, ÔJust exercise and eat less.’ But if you exercise a lot and don’t eat, your body goes into hold,” said Lewis. Exercise is limited for the first six weeks because the diet does not provide enough calories to sustain it, she said.

Lewis’ goal is to keep successful weight losers from regressing, “so you can go in the store and walk by the donuts and say, ÔI’m not having that,’” she said.

A sample of local weight loss options:

Belle Vous Weight Loss Center Physician-directed, high-protein, weight loss program with three products daily, as well as nutritional education and support. Located at 1019 Old Taneytown Pike. Call 410-857-8087 to participate in free seminars: Cost: $199 for lifetime membership. Sign up before August 8 and receive $50 off.

Curves Fitness and Weight Loss. Weekly one-on-one coaching, workouts, personalized diet plans, shopping lists, instructional videos. National franchise. Local sites: Manchester, 410-374-9032; Mount Airy, 301-829-5095; Taneytown, 410-756-3181. Cost: starts at $34 per month.

Four-County Nutrition Counseling, individualized eating plans. Owner, Tracey Stamates-Roerty. Site: Mount Airy. Cost: medical insurance provider for those with a medical diagnosis. Self-pay, $200 for initial assessment and two follow-up visits. Additional follow-up packages available. Information: 240-215-5084.

Ideal Weight Loss Drinks, breakfasts, entrees and desserts from Ideal Protein International, offered through licensed health care practitioners. Local owner: Dr. Rosemary Lewis, chiropractor, Westminster. Cost: varies. Information: 410-876-8885.

Lose to Win Wellness Challenge Diet
, exercise, nutrition counseling and recipes. Program is a partnership of Carroll Hospital Center, Merritt Athletic Center and Martin’s Food, Eldersburg. Twelve-week program offered twice annually. Maximum, 20 participants per session. Participants must have doctor’s approval. Rewards for loss: makeover, Martin’s gift certificate, fitness equipment. Cost: $199. Information: 410-871-6161.

Physicians Weight Loss Center Grocery foods diet plus Physicians Weight Loss Center protein supplement. Calorie and portion-controlled prepackaged entrees available. Participants meet with physician before starting. National franchise. Local site: Westminster. Cost: varies. Information: 410-848-5557.

The Center for Medical Weight Loss Physician-directed weight loss plan. Dieters can order low-calorie meals from national program. Local site: Westminster. Cost: $140 for 14 dinners plus physician’s fees. Information: 410-751-6684.

The New Weigh Program Grocery food-based diet plus required protein supplements. Weekly motivational counseling, light exercise encouraged. Local owner is certified nutritional technician. National program. Local site: Eldersburg. Cost: $150 registration fee, $10 weekly plus cost of supplements. Information: 410-549-2807.

Rivas Weight Loss Individualized prescription appetite suppressants and antidepressants as needed. Locally owned. Westminster and eight other locations in central Maryland and Pennsylvania. Cost: No medical insurance accepted; patients can seek reimbursement from health savings plans. $130 for initial visit, $75 per semi-monthly follow-up visit. Information: 410-861-6293.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) National non profit organization provides nutrition advice. Dieters encouraged to use food exchanges with MyPlate. Weekly meetings, weight-loss contests, small fines for weight gain. Charms and key chains to reward weight loss. Dieters who reach weight loss goal can move on to Keep Off Pounds Sensibly (KOPS). Local site: Westminster, meeting at Grace Lutheran Church. Local leader, Perilee Barber, co-leader Suzy Zabel. Cost: $31 a year. Information: 443-974-0494 or 410-861-7585.

Weigh4Life Dieters use Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method packets, three products daily plus vegetables. Nutrition education and support through weekly individual visits and weigh-ins. Local site: Spa at Roop’s Mill, Westminster. Cost: $310 registration, plus cost of meals. Information: 410-871-0023.

Weight Watchers Advice on sound nutrition, behavior modification, low-impact exercise at weekly meetings. National franchise. Local meetings in Eldersburg, Mount Airy, Taneytown, Westminster. Cost: standard monthly plan, sign-up fee $29.95 plus $18.95 monthly fee. Information: 1-800-651-6000.

YMCA of Central Maryland, Hill Family Center Y Fitness Challenge 10-week sessions of weight loss, exercise, team building, nutrition information. Next session starts in September. Register at the Y, Westminster. Cost: $65, Y members; $130, non members. Information: 410-848-3660.