Refuse To Regain

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by Barbara Berkeley, In the past twenty or thirty years it seems that Americans have become hyper-involved with food. We spend inordinate amounts of time thinking about it and planning how to eat it. Food has become an entertainment rather than a pleasurable form of sustenance. I believe that most of us don't even realize how involved we truly are. How did this happen? We live in a culture that puts us into an extremely heightened contact with food. Here's... Read more →

The Food Pyramid, Controversial American Dietary Icon, is Dead

By Barbara Berkeley, MD Would it be too callous of me to say "YIPPEEE"? The USDA Food Pyramid, which first appeared in 1992 and has served as the basis for American eating for the past 20 years, is dead and gone. Score one for Michelle Obama and company. The Pyramid seemed like a good idea at the beginning; a way to graphically represent healthy diet. But like most governmental efforts to improve American eating, the Pyramid quickly became mired in... Read more →

Kirstie's Weight Loss: Another Yo?

by Barbara Berkeley, MD After watching this season of Dancing With the Stars I found myself in a strange state of mind, sort of a cross between bemusement and distaste. Believe me, I can't blame anyone for grabbing the chance to dance with Maksim Chmerkovskiy ( by the way, I'm completely available for the first season of "Dancing With the Regular Folk"), but I found it hard to watch the dancing odyssey of famed yo-yo dieter Kirstie Alley. I guess... Read more →

Medical Emergencies on Vacation: Be Prepared

by Barbara Berkeley, MD This isn't my typical blog. It isn't even about weight loss. But a recent article in the New York Times reminded me of some recent experiences. I thought they were worth sharing. Airlines say that in-flight medical emergencies are rising and according to the Times article this number only reflects incidents which are reported. The majority of in-flight calls for a doctor are never documented. My husband and I, both physicians, had traveled for years without... Read more →

Talking Heads

by Barbara Berkeley, MD Talking Heads. We're all familiar with them: the pundits that spout social and political opinion and are largely seen from the shoulders up. But a recent experience in my ongoing tennis career led me to the conclusion that perhaps more of us fit this description than just TV commentators. If you consider it, I think you'll agree that we spend most of our time "in our heads". With the exception of moments when our bodies are... Read more →

To Repeat is Human, To Transform Divine

by Barbara Berkeley, MD With the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden, American unity is back at its peak. As in the days after 911 we are all coming together. Republicans are not only talking to Democrats, they are actually complementing them. All of this congeniality is fueling speculation that perhaps this time, maybe this time, things will change and petty political bickering will cease. We should know better. Human beings are nothing if not tribal. Give us a reason... Read more →

Liposuction vs. Transformation: Procedures Can't Change You, But YOU can!!

by Barbara Berkeley, MD You know that person of your acquaintance who had bariatric surgery and gained it all back? What happened? The answer is simple. They believed that the procedure alone could "fix" them. But our current surgical treatments for obesity are sold the wrong way. Rather than being fixes, they are helpers. Most patients arent' told that. What do I mean by "helpers"? I mean that bariatric surgeries give you the time and inclination to transform.....if you want... Read more →