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    • I carry most of my weight in my stomach and thighs. Is there such a thing as “spot reducing”?
      The way fat is distributed in the body is determined by genetics. It's also affected by hormones, including chronic exposure to the "stress hormone" cortisol. Individuals who are chronically stressed tend to deposit more fat in the tummy area above the waist (called the abdominal area)....

    • How fast will I lose weight on the Lean for Life program?
      Weight loss results vary among individuals depending on factors such as age, gender, weight and body size, metabolism, lean to fat ratio, degree of physical activity, program compliance, etc....

    • What are the effects of alcohol on weight loss?
      Drinking alcohol, whether in the form of wine, liquor, or beer, can negatively affect weight loss. People who drink alcohol generally have a harder time losing weight. Here are some facts:...

    • What is Ketosis?
      First, a simple explanation of the process: the carbohydrates you eat are converted to glucose, which is the body's primary source of energy. Whenever your intake of carbohydrates is limited to a certain range, for a long enough period of time, you reach a point where your body draws on its alternate energy system, fat stores, for fuel. This means the body burns fat and turns it into a source of fuel called ketones. (Ketones are produced whenever body fat is burned.)...

    • How can I find a physician who specializes in weight control?
      To find a physician who specializes in the treatment of weight in your area, try the American Society of Bariatric Physicians at http://www.asbp.org...

    • How many carbs should I eat when attempting to achieve a state of dietary ketosis for weight loss?
      Dietary ketosis, for the purpose of intentional weight loss, generally occurs when total carbohydrate intake is limited to somewhere in the range of approximately 50 to100 grams of carbohydrate spaced throughout the day, for a period of several days. The exact number depends on the individual, and is influenced by such factors as exercise and activity level. Because the body uses carbohydrates for energy, the more active you are, the more carbohydrates and fat you will burn. If you have a particularly sedentary day, you may find that you need to decrease your carbohydrate intake to achieve ketosis....

    • Does depression cause weight gain?
      Yes. Depression has been associated with weight gain and weight loss. It's usually a matter of degree; when people are mild to moderately depressed, they tend to eat more. Some people refer to this as "stress eating." When someone is very depressed, they sometimes stop eating altogether and, in severe cases, may even have to be hospitalized and fed intravenously. There is a known association between decreased serotonin - which is associated with depression - and increased appetite/hunger. (Interestingly, studies have shown that people with anorexia nervosa have abnormally increased serotonin activity which may partly explain how they can eat so little.)...

    • I often feel dizzy when dieting; what could cause this?
      Dizziness could be related to inadequate water intake, but more often is due to low sodium (salt) and/or potassium. Of course, it's always possible that another condition is causing the problem, not weight loss....

    • How do hormones and menopause affect weight?
      To begin, some definitions may be helpful....

    • What's my ideal weight?
      At Team Lindora, one of the most frequent questions we receive is, "How much should I weigh?" ...

    • Why do the Lindora clinics offer vitamin injections?
      Although vitamin injections have benefits, individuals can achieve successful weight loss without the use of vitamin injections. Vitamin injections are a common, but not a mandatory, part of the Lindora program....

    • Will insurance cover the cost of weight loss programs such as the Lindora program?
      Some insurance companies cover all or part of the cost of a medically-supervised weight loss program, depending on the individual policy. You'll want to check with your insurance carrier to inquire about your specific coverage....

    • Is there a program for overweight teens and children?
      Lindora has treated a lot of teens, pre-teens and children over the years. On last count, more than 1,600 kids and teens have completed the program. For kids, being overweight can have much more severe social consequences than adults....

    • Is dietary ketosis harmful to the liver?
      The mild dietary ketosis, such as that which is experienced during the Weight Loss phase of the Lean for Life program, is not harmful to individuals with a normal, healthy, functioning liver....

    • What causes low energy during weight loss?
      Individuals who are following a low carbohydrate eating plan may be especially prone to this happening. A person may experience a lack of energy while dieting due to several possible reasons:...

    • Why aren't certain foods included on the Lindora Weight Loss Menu Plan?
      The foods listed on the Weight Loss Menu Plan were chosen because they meet the nutritional needs of the program in terms of calories, protein, carbohydrate, and fat content. The balance of these nutrients is taken into consideration as well as the total amounts. In addition, foods that tend to be "trigger foods" (trigger overeating and cravings) are not included....

    • How can I prevent muscle loss while dieting?
      A more accurate question may be, "How can I minimize muscle loss while dieting?" When people lose weight, whether it's by dieting, running marathons, or bariatric surgery, they primarily lose fat, but also lose water (body fluid) and some muscle tissue. A certain amount of muscle loss is expected and "normal". However, although some muscle loss is expected, it's prudent to follow a healthy eating and exercise plan in order to minimize the loss....

    • My ketostick remains "negative"; why can't I get into ketosis?
      If you are not in ketosis, you'll want to evaluate your carbohydrate intake from everything you're eating and drinking. You may be consuming more carbohydrates than you realiz e, possibly from unexpected sources. Don't forget to check package labels for the total amount of carbohydrates per "serving size"....

    • Is it necessary to use the Lindora protein products during the program?
      Lindora offers a wide variety of delicious, nutritious and convenient protein products such as bars, shakes, soups, hot and cold drinks, all-vegetable products, pudding, etc. Although the Lean for Life eating plan is made up of meals that include lean protein, vegetables, lettuce, grains and fruit, many people enjoy using the protein products as a healthy and satisfying snack between meals or if an appropriate protein food choice is not available at mealtime. You can successfully follow the program with or without using the protein products, however. Some people choose to use a combination of protein products and lean protein food choices which they "mix and match" according to their desires and needs....

    • Why aren't I losing more weight?
      Always keep in mind that weight loss is not linear but bounces up and down along the way. There are many reasons why people don't lose weight, even when doing everything right. Some of the more common reasons may include:...

    • How can I get motivated to lose weight?
      As Dr. Marshall Stamper, founder of the Lindora Medical Clinics in southern California says, "The greater your interest and enthusiasm for achieving your [weight loss] goal, the more likely you are to achieve it." The problem, of course, is that motivation wavers. In fact, for some "dieters" it only lasts until the next meal!...

    • What is a "Body Composition Analysis"?
      One measure of fitness is body composition. Body composition is the makeup of the body in terms of muscle, bone, fat, and water. The amount of lean body mass in proportion to the amount of fat tissue in the body helps determine fitness. The lower the ratio, the higher the body fat and the more unfit we are....

    • How many fat grams or what percent of fat should I have while on the program or in long term maintenance?
      During the Weight Loss phase of the Lean for Life program, the daily Menu Plan consists of approximately 20-30 grams of fat per day. During the Lifetime Maintenance phase, the daily fat intake is closer to 40-50 grams....

    • How important is exercise in maintaining weight?
      Rena Wing, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Brown University, looked at 2,500 people who lost an average of 60 pounds and kept the weight off for an average of six years. Wing found those individuals exercised approximately an hour each day. "Patients, participants who have lost weight and kept it off really exercise more to the level of 2800 calories a week. If you translate to walking, they're walking 28 miles a week," said Wing. (Incidentally, this is consistent with the Lean for Life Program's recommendation of 10,000 steps - 4 miles - per day)...

    • Does being in ketosis while dieting for weight loss cause kidney disease or damage?
      The 'Lean for Life' program is mildly ketotic, and only for a brief portion of the program. It has not been associated with kidney damage or disease in individuals who have normally functioning kidneys....

    • Should I include weight (resistance) training along with my other exercise?
      There is increasing evidence that strength/weight training can benefit adults interested in improving their health. Some of the known benefits include: ...

    • If I'm doing weight training, should I increase my protein or carb intake during Weight Loss?
      At the level of activity most of our clients participate, it is rarely advantageous to increase either carbohydrate or protein intake substantially. Of course, the best way to determine optimal carb and protein intake is to take into account how well you're losing or maintaining, how you feel, and whether or not you're able to reach ketosis during Weight Loss....

    • What is the best combination of weight training and aerobic exercise for weight loss?
      What's "best" for one is not always best for another. Some people weight train very intensively and aerobically. For them, weight training is more aerobic than their "cardio" workout on the treadmill or stationary bike....

    • I'm on long term maintenance. What are some tips for eating better?
      Here are some recommendations:

      1. A food that is labeled "low carb" or "low calorie", or is a small size, does not necessarily mean it's healthy (such as a muffin, granola, candy). Be sure to read nutrition labels and pay attention to total calories, fat grams (about 20 -30 per day is ideal), and sugar/carbs (fewer is better when you have a choice between two products like light and regular yogurt)....

    • How can I get rid of cellulite?
      Genetics plays a significant role in a person's tendency to develop cellulite. Even some lean people have cellulite, although weight is certainly an important contributor. Cellulite is caused by breaks in the connective tissue below the skin, which allows fatty tissue to squeeze through. The areas of the body where this occurs, typically the thighs and buttocks, tend to have a "dimpled" appearance. A greater amount of fatty tissue produces a greater bulging effect....

    • Now that I'm losing weight I've become more sensitive to cold. Why?
      There are several reasons you may feel colder due to dieting and weight loss....

    • What is the effect of exercise on weight loss?
      If you've ever wished for a "magic bullet" to better your overall health and control your weight, exercise might be the closest thing to it. The most effective way to achieve significant weight loss is through a combination of reduced-calorie dieting and regular physical activity. Exercise can help you reach--and maintain--a healthy weight, help you manage stress, and can lower your risk for such health conditions as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes....

    • Why is it important to keep a food diary?
      Source: "Keeping Food Records Helps Dieters Lose Weight" (Omaha World-Herald; 02/22/99):...

    • Does genetics affect weight loss? To what extent?
      Yes. The role of genetics in weight control has been carefully studied. There are some important lessons we can learn from the studies....

    • Does hormone replacement medication (premarin, estrogen, evista, progesterone, or provera) cause weight gain?
      These hormones are associated with aging and aging absolutely affects one's weight. Metabolism slows, hormone levels change, and vigorous activity becomes more difficult. However, there is evidence that behavioral changes account for a greater proportion of weight gain than physiological changes. ...

    • I'm concerned about loose skin after losing weight. Can it be prevented?
      We see people who lose more than 500 pounds, and some who lose less than ten pounds. The best predictors of whether someone will have loose excess skin are their beginning weight (regardless of how much they lose), their age and related skin elasticity, and extent and nature of the exercise they do....

    • How can I determine my metabolic rate?
      To estimate your metabolic rate (how many calories you typically burn in a day at rest)......

    • Can dieting cause osteoporosis?
      Diet (what you eat) affects osteoporosis, but we do not know the extent to which "dieting" (eating less for weight reduction) affects osteoporosis....

    • Can you give me a summary of the Lindora Lean for Life Program?
      Lindora's Lean for Life program is a personalized weight management system that delivers rapid, safe results. The program has been perfected over more than 30 years and ten million clinical visits at the renowned Lindora Medical Clinics in Southern California. This proven, results-oriented program has helped people throughout the world improve their health - and their lives - by achieving their weight loss goals in the Lindora clinics, through the innovative Lean for Life Online program, and with expert telephone coaching services....

    • Do women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have more difficulty losing weight?
      We have recently been following a lot of women with PCOS. About half of PCOS sufferers are overweight. It is very likely that a woman who has PCOS will experience a slower rate of weight loss than others without the condition....

    • I've lost weight before but always regained it. How can I prevent that from happening again?
      No matter how we lose weight, weight regain is so prevalent that it is considered the norm by most experts in the field of weight control. The often quoted factoid, that 98% of people who lose weight gain it all back within 2 years, has been consistently verified....

    • Is there a difference in suggested salt intake during weight loss and weight maintenance?
      During weight loss, especially with low carbohydrate eating plans, sodium/salt levels decrease. As a result, blood pressure can drop, especially when a person stands suddenly from a seated or horizontal position, causing weakness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. This is called orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure resulting from a change in position)....

    • What is the set point? Can it be changed?
      In 1982, nutritional researchers William Bennett and Joel Gurin introduced a controversial theory concerning weight loss. The setpoint theory states that a person's body has a setpoint weight at which it is programmed to be comfortable. This theory proposes that the body will sabotage itself during weight loss by slowing down metabolism (the body's rate of burning calories)....

    • I do shift work and don't work during normal daytime hours. How does this affect my weight?
      Shift work can affect your energy, mood, diet, and weight. A study of night-shift nurses and security guards showed they gained an average 7 lbs. during their late-shift tenure, while day shift peers lost an average of 1 lb, according to researchers at St. Luke's Hospital Center in New York City (1)....

    • How can sleep affect my health and my weight?
      Results of a study published in the medical journal The Lancet show that sleep deprivation causes changes in metabolism and hormone functioning, which can effect how the body burns--and stores--fat....

    • What's the best way to quit smoking and still lose weight?
      Smoking cessation is certainly associated with weight gain. Depending on which study you choose, the average weight gain in the first year after quitting is about 16 to 18 pounds....

    • I was raised to believe that snacking between meals was not a good thing, but the Lean for Life program encourages mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Why is this a part of the program?
      Many people mistakenly think it's a "bad habit" to eat between meals. Actually, however, studies show that people tend to have more control over their eating and have an easier time losing or maintaining their weight when they eat healthy snacks between meals....

    • What are the effects of stress, especially on weight?
      People are often unaware of how greatly stress can affect health. Stress can trigger the physical "fight or flight" response from your body, affecting your blood pressure, circulation, breathing, muscles, and senses....

    • How do supermodels stay so thin?
      Occasionally we are asked if we will help someone become "super-thin" or "thin like a supermodel." We will decline to participate when someone wants to drop below a healthy weight. The habits developed by many supermodels trying to become or stay super-thin lead to very unhealthy lifestyles....

    • How does thyroid disease affect weight? Does taking natural (armour) thyroid help people lose weight?
      There is no question that an abnormal thyroid can lead to weight gain. The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, affects nearly every body system including metabolism. When too little thyroid is produced, metabolic rate slows, leading to weight gain in many people affected by the condition. ...

    • I've heard that some antidepressants like Wellbutrin can cause weight loss. Is that true?
      Wellbutrin works much like Meridia, the most recent appetite suppressant approved by the FDA. However, it is less likely to cause an increase in high blood pressure than Meridia. It is also often covered by medical insurance, where Meridia rarely is. Wellbutrin is identical to Zyban, just marketed in a different container. For that reason, we often recommend Wellbutrin to cigarette smokers trying to lose weight. [1] [2]...

    • I've heard that, when people lose a lot of weight, it's just water weight. Is that true?
      When people lose weight, they lose a combination of fat, water (body fluid) and some muscle tissue. This is a normal and necessary process. Whether the weight is lost through low calorie dieting or vigorous exercise, the initial weight loss is composed of a higher percentage of water, particularly in the first week. One study showed that, on the first three days of a diet, 70% of weight loss is from water. But that changes quickly, accounting for the slowed weight loss after the first week or two. By day 24, 85% of the weight loss is from fat....

    • Do you have any tips for sticking to my diet when I go to a restaurant?
      With a little planning, you can enjoy restaurant dining while successfully adhering to your weight loss plan. Try these success strategies:...

    • Ketosis: Is it safe? Why do some people think it's dangerous?
      On July 7, 2002, the New York Times published "What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?" written by Gary Taubes....

    • Does dieting or weight loss cause gallstones or gallbladder disease?
      Gallstones are clumps of solid material, mostly cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ located under the liver in the abdomen. The gallbladder contracts and releases bile, a fluid made in the liver that aids in digestion. Bile contains substances called bile salts that help break down fats in the food we eat. Bile also helps eliminate cholesterol from the body via the digestive system. ...

    • Is rapid weight loss dangerous? I've heard you should not try to lose more than one pound a week.
      Rapid weight loss can be safe, effective and motivating when done correctly. For lasting results, a weight loss plan, whether rapid or not, should include behavioral components and a long term maintenance plan....

    • How effective are online weight loss programs? Can "cyber-dieting" really help me lose weight?
      In 1999, researchers at Brown University in Rhode Island conducted a study involving 91 overweight adults who were divided into two random groups. Both groups were given advice at the beginning of the study about diet and exercise and were provided with a list of web sites from which they could find information about keeping a food diary, calorie burning, nutrition and healthy recipes, and find a cyber diet buddy. One group, however, was also given access to behavioral professionals by e-mail and received personal feedback about their program. They could also contact other participants through online bulletin boards....

    • What is the difference between being “overweight” and being “obese”?
      The difference between being “overweight” and being “obese” is a matter of degree and can be determined by calculating the person’s BMI (body mass index). ...

    • Will I get better weight loss with a darker ketostick result?
      Individuals can vary as to the degree of color they "show" on the ketostick. Any color on the ketostick, from pink to purple, indicates fat burning (ketosis). Individuals can vary as to the degree of color they "show" on the ketostick. Some people get a darker ketostick color and achieve the same results as someone with a lighter color....

    • Is there a childhood obesity epidemic?
      Childhood overweight and obesity has become what is considered an epidemic in the United States. Although it tends to be worse in communities with lower economic resources, it affects children in every demographic....