Friday, January 7, 2011

AUGUSTA -- In this "Smart Heart" report, we continue our conversation on your weight and your heart.

We are teaming up with University Hospital to look at what options are available for those trying to shed the pounds at the start of the new year. Doctors say there are 4 main ways to do it:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Prescription medicines for weight loss
- Bariatric surgery

To lose weight, your body needs to burn more calories than you eat or drink. A diet plan would need to take that into consideration.

Physical activity is the best way to burn those calories, but not every exercise is right for each person.

Prescription pills should not be your only method for losing weight. They should be taken in conjunction with the first two options.

The final option is surgery. There are a couple of different ways to shrink the size of your stomach.

But no matter what option you're looking to try, you need to talk with your family doctor first to find out what will work for you. Also, University Hospital has a weight loss center that can help.

"At any point in the weight loss process they can come to us. We have surgical and non-surgical programs. We can help patients determine which programs will work best for them. We also have a free information seminar every month to help patients look at the options that are available," said Dana Peth, who works at the Weight Loss Center.