How About If We Walk While We Talk?

Posted: Feb 13 in Clinical Nutrition Center News by Dr. Lazarus

*See below for information on how to receive a discount on YOUR moving workstation…

During my past 10 years with CNC, I’ve spent countless hours brainstorming strategies with patients to help keep the weight off.

The problem is, the main drivers of weight re-gain are genetics and environment. Most of my patients aren’t getting any younger, and most don’t report improvements in the environment with weight loss. So, after losing weight, in addition to no improvements in genetics and no improvements in environment, we now understand that biologically the body is desperately trying to regain the lost weight through many mechanisms (decreased metabolic rate, changes in gut hormones leading to increase in appetite, etc).

Even with exercise, it is hard to prevent regain. We have long used support visits, prescription weight loss medications, and continued use of meal replacements (protein supplementation) to prevent regain. But what if there were another way?

Even though I spend my days counseling individuals on healthy behavior, my work at CNC is quite sedentary. I sit and talk about how to be more active. In fact, I purchased a Fitbit last year, and quickly observed that I was NOT able to reach my step goal of 10,000 steps per day on days that I worked (I don’t count exercise towards this goal – more on that in a future article). Most days at the office I only accumulated 2,500 steps.

So new this year, I’ve set up a moving exam room. That’s right – tired of sitting all day? At your next visit, ask to use our new room. While you are welcome to sit if you prefer, we have installed a business-quality walking treadmill (set up for slow, walking speeds), and a business-quality bike, with a height-adjustable desk between. You can choose to walk or ride, and the CNC professional you are meeting with will do the other. These are setup for moving instead of sitting, NOT for exercise. You won’t break a sweat, but you will leave the office with 1/4 – 1/2 of your daily steps accomplished.

And imagine the effect for me and my staff – instead of 2,500 steps a day at the office, I’m up to 25,000 steps per day. It’s taken me some time to get used to it, but I now do the majority of my desk work both at home and at the office while walking – I am typing this article while walking at 2 miles per hour.

Comments from my patients have included everything from “Awesome!” to “Doc – that was the best doctor visit of my life!” Seriously!

So, next time you see me, feel free to ask for the new “Moving Room.” Wear comfortable shoes and leave feeling energized.

Next step -what can YOU do to improve your environment? Changing your ENVIRONMENT can improve your LIFE and enable you to keep the weight off once and for all!

-Ethan Lazarus, MD

*The equipment we are using was purchased from Lifespan fitness. At my request, they are offering a discount on their equipment for CNC patients. To learn more about this offer please contact our office.