Refuse To Regain

The Problem with Eating Clean

B Barbara Berkeley Virtually all maintainers practice some form of “clean” eating. Whether they are Primarian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Mediterranean or just careful omnivores, POWs have found that they need to keep “modern” foods to a minimum and eat closer to their original human nutritional needs. Here’s the rub. The edible substances which pass for food these days are a far cry from the complex plant matter and healthful animal sources we once knew. Eating closer to the original human diet... Read more →

The Thin Doc’s Dilemma

By Barbara Berkeley As a diet doc, it is my job to make people thin. It’s strange then that one of the most persistent obstacles I face in that task is being thin myself. New patients will often sit through a 1-hour initial evaluation in seemingly rapt attention. We will discuss their ancient genetics, their struggling insulin systems, the importance of making changes that they can commit to permanently. Then, just as they get up from their chair and turn... Read more →

Growing a Healthier Apple

By Barbara Berkeley From 2002 to 2004, the city of New York gained 10 million pounds. This startling piece of data was one of the arguments used to advance New York’s pro-health legislative agenda. In December 2006, the city banned the use of trans-fats in restaurants and food service products. Trans-fats had clearly been indicted as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and few could argue with their exclusion. Soon, however, with the Big Apple threatening to become the... Read more →

My Awesome Friend Who Lost 410 Pounds Will Be On TLC on Sunday!

By Lynn Haraldson-Bering My friend David Smith was interviewed by Matt Lauer yesterday on The Today Show. I met David (pictured here with my friend Shari) when we were on Oprah together in November 2007. His 410-pound weight-loss story almost (almost…) made me ruin my makeup before my own stage appearance. He’s a hard act to follow, let me tell you. David is one of the kindest, gentle people I’ve ever met, and his personal trainer, Chris Powell, (here in... Read more →

The Tale of Michael Jackson

By Barbara Berkeley The tragic story of Michael Jackson which has occupied so many media hours this past week fascinates in so many ways. There is the familiar and disturbing theme of the preternaturally talented artist who succumbs to drugs. The horrific back story of childhood beatings and abuse which may well have led to adult confusions about children and sexuality. The mysteries that surround Jackson’s transformation from black to white, from cherubic child to bizarre mannequin. But for me,... Read more →

Bikinis and Maintenance and I Will Never Look Like That

By Lynn Haraldson-Bering I’d like to welcome the newest resident in Maintenance World: my friend Shari! I met Shari in 2006 at my former gym, and at first I knew her only as the brunette who monopolized my favorite elliptical. She knew me as the blond who monopolized her favorite elliptical. We were destined to be best friends. Shari is who I blame and thank (depending on the day) for telling me the Oprah show was looking for weight-loss success... Read more →