Break-Up Belly: How to Manage Your Weight, Post Boyfriend
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
YO-YO IS A NO-NO Every time I break up with a guy, I tend to, well, eat my emotions. Eventually I lose the weight (usually just in time to meet my next man). But now I’m wondering: Are there any long-term negative effects of yo-yo dieting? Arnold in Anaheim, CA
Yo-yo dieting does not benefit anyone. When eating well, the body is in an alkaline, or anti-inflammatory, mode. This type of eating behavior is beneficial to preventing disease, as minor as a cold and as major as cancer. When emotions are high, you are turning to your addiction eating. If your addiction was going to the gym more often, it could be beneficial. But you are turning toward, I assume, refined (“bad”) carbohydrates when you eat on the wrong end of the yo-yo. That causes an acid-base imbalance—your diet is now acidic, or inflammatory. You need to find a hobby to increase your self-esteem when you break up with a guy. That way, you’ll be well prepared for your next conquest. Also, try not to jump from man to man without having a date with yourself first. I feel that “finding the man within,” by reading , writing, visiting a museum and even having a good massage, is the way to stay away from the Twinkies—no pun intended.—PF
JILTED ENERGY NEEDS A JOLT I’ve been HIV positive for a few years now, and while I’m not yet on any medications, I do feel tired all the time. I feel like I always need caffeine, PowerBars, metabolism boosters or fat burners to keep myself going day to day. Can my lack of energy be due to something other than HIV? My CD4 cell counts and others are all within normal range. Terence in Spokane, WA
Fatigue and lack of energy are among the most common complaints in my practice, and there’s oftentimes no correlation with HIV status. Certainly patients with advanced HIV disease can experience fatigue, but if your numbers are as good as you say they are and you are not taking any medications (HIV or otherwise) that might be responsible for your lack of energy, I would want to rule out other common causes of fatigue that are independent of HIV. Anemia (low red-blood-cell count) is one of the most common reasons people experience fatigue. Anemia can be HIV-related but more often is due to other underlying issues, such as undiagnosed bleeding in the gut or even vitamin or iron deficiencies. In my male patients, low testosterone is a frequent cause of lack of energy. Low testosterone can be related to HIV disease, or it can happen independently as a consequence of just growing older. Low levels of thyroid hormone can lead to fatigue, so we screen for primary thyroid disease. A variety of other vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can also cause fatigue (low vitamin B12, folate, DHEA, etc.). And finally, there are psychological causes of fatigue, primarily depression and sleep disorders, both of which can profoundly affect energy levels. Most times, your physician can, with a basic physical examination and a few simple blood tests, evaluate all of these potential sources of fatigue. Talk with your doctor about your fatigue. He or she can help you through the evaluation process and discuss possible treatments depending on the underlying causes that are uncovered. Occasionally an evaluation shows no apparent cause for the fatigue. Depending on your age, sometimes we’re left with the simple fact that we are getting older and our energy is not what it once was. I always tell patients this is the last diagnosis on my list, since it’s my job to make certain that nothing else that is correctable is causing the lack of energy.—TM
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GETTIN’ OVER GETTIN’ IT UP I keep getting so much e-mail spam about generic Viagra and Cialis and buying it over the Internet. Are these real drugs? Are they safe? And does it work? Or are there other alternatives? I’m too embarrassed to ask my doctor. Drake in Poughkeepsie, NY
The popularity of Viagra and other sexual enhancement drugs cannot be dismissed as a passing fad or fancy. Recent statistics show that both men and women have a decrease in energy as they age, thus affecting sexual energy. Nor can the quick, easy availability of the drugs be overlooked: It is possible to obtain real Viagra and Cialis on the Internet, and at a savings, but you can also end up with counterfeit drugs. The Web being what it is, the safety and purity of the drugs are questionable, although some of my patients have told me they can be effective even though they may not work as well as what I’ve prescribed. Still, I would not recommend anyone order these drugs online. There are many alternatives in the form of herbs that boost the libido, like ashwagandha and tribulus. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra release nitric oxide, engorging the penile vessels with blood. Arginine, an amino acid, has the same effect. (The dose of arginine may vary from 6 to 9 grams a day.) There are also foods that can strengthen our sexual organs. Try soaking 10 almonds overnight. Peel and eat them before breakfast each day. You can also use the soaked almonds to make almond milk by mixing them with a warm glass of milk and adding a pinch of nutmeg and saffron. And you should never be embarrassed to ask questions of your doctor. But if you are, you should try to find a new physician with accessible communication skills.—PF
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Comments (3)
... written by Kkris T An Something,
June 12, 2009
psss... i wish i was heart broken that way i could gain a few pounds, i look like a calvin klein model.
+1
... written by Amy,
November 18, 2009
I'm gaining pounds that I don't need. My boyfriend pressures me into having sex and now I'm pregnant and I am not sure how to tell him.... I really need some help too. I don't want to leave him because I want my baby to have a dad, but I am scared if I do tell him he'll leave me... What to do, what to do.....?:
