James Beckerman - The Flex Diet: Design-Your-Own Weight Loss Plan

Disclaimer: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

Copyright 2011 by Dr. James Beckerman

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Touchstone Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Touchstone hardcover edition January 2011

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Manufactured in the United States of America

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beckerman, James.

The flex diet / by James Beckerman.
p. cm.(A touchstone book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Weight loss. 2. Reducing diets. 3. Weight lossPsychological aspects. I. Title.

RM222.2.B3983 2011

613.25dc22

2010038727

ISBN 978-1-4391-5569-1
ISBN 978-1-4391-7232-2 (ebook)

To Stacie, Jack, and Henry

5. If You Are Not Part of the Solution,
You Are Part of the Problem

Doctors are problem solvers. Solving problems is what we do.

I never really set out to write a diet book. But things dont always happen the way you thought they would. This book was written because I started looking for some answers that I could use to help my patientsone patient in particularwith a common problem. Without a working solution.

Let me tell you a little bit about me to put things into perspective. I am a cardiologista heart specialistworking out of a large community teaching hospital tucked away in Portland, Oregon. I see patientspeople like youevery single day. College students and pensioners, white- and blue-collar workers, single parents, boomers, cuspers, and increasingly Gen Xers. I meet them when they are in the office and in the ICU, on the examination table, off a helicopter, and sometimes on a ventilator.

A lot of what I do occurs after their wake-up calla heart attack, a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, or the rapid palpitations of atrial fibrillation. There is a lot of excitement in being there during that moment to help someone make it to the next graduation, christening, or family vacation. But despite all the drama, I have always felt that the greatest impact occurs outside the fluorescence of the cardiac catheterization lab and away from the rhythms of intravenous medications and ventilators. It happens in the outpatient setting, when people are feeling good and optimistic and confident, when they have time to ask and listen, and when I have the opportunity to share some opinions, write prescriptions, and occasionally offer some solutions.

This book is dedicated to my patients.

My patients are real people. They dont give testimony on infomercialsthey are the ones watching them. They dont have cooks or coaches. They work, they chase after their kids, and they need every bit of sleep they can get. They eat French fries. Some smoke. They make difficult choices and sometimes make mistakes. They are looking for solutions. And sometimes they give me the privilege of listening to their questions and helping them understand their problems.

What do you ask your doctor?

In any patient-doctor encounter, each person has goals. Your doctor might focus on your abnormal liver function tests, whether or not you are up to date on your colonoscopy, making sure he isnt late for the next patient, or... his afternoon tee time. But what are your goals? If you dont know, you are definitely at a disadvantage.

When we go to the doctor, we are brought by symptoms, referred by fear, and often intimidated by rising co-pays and, subsequently, blood pressure. But I am amazed when I ask someone who has come to see me, So, what brings you here today? only to be faced with an uncertain stare or a puzzled look. People seem genuinely surprised at the question sometimes, and often do not have an answer. But I keep pressing them on it, and am often surprised by what I hear.

CAN YOU HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT?

The first time I was asked this, I was honestly taken aback. I am a cardiologist, not a miracle worker! I thought my job was to mend broken hearts, get people through surgery, and make them dizzy with blood pressure medication and resentful toward me for taking away their bacon cheeseburgers. I didnt get into this to solve peoples weight concerns. I would rather leave that for someone else with more time, more patience, and maybe even his own television show.

But I slowly began to realize something.

Sure, people want to be healthy. No one wants to be hospitalized with a heart attack or watch a loved one undergo open-heart surgery for a problem that might have been prevented. No one wants high blood pressure or diabetes. No one wants to take medicines. No one wants to be tired all day or feel lousy performing simple tasks.

But its hard to feel your blood pressure.

Its hard to see your cholesterol or blood sugar.

However, there is a cardiac risk factor that stares you in the face each and every time you go to brush your teeth, put on (or take off) some clothes, or ask someone out on a date (or wait to be asked out). Your weight.

Your weight is a barometer of your health, including your heart health. People care deeply about their weight, and for lots of different reasons. And heart health usually is not one of them. Thats okay with me, though. It doesnt matter if our motivations are different, just as long as our solution is the same. I dont mind getting to your heart through your stomach, as the saying goes. Just so long as I get there.

FROM ON LOCATION TO ONLINE

After a few years of exploring these issues and challenges in my cardiology clinic, I felt increasingly stumped by what appeared to be a universal concern. People want to have a good quality of life, but making good choices sometimes seems to make life harder and less satisfying. When you stare down at your belly while standing on the scale, losing the excess weight can seem like an impossible task. This goes for pretty much everyone. It is not just about heart disease; it is about feeling confident when you walk into a club, socialize with friends, or return to work after maternity leave. It is about feeling comfortable in your own skin, and your own clothes. It is about doing things safely and for the long term.