Question: I am a compulsive eater or binger. I want to know if there are any medicines I can buy in the drug store that can help me to lose weight and to stop eating compulsively. Will regular diet pills work for me?

Jim LaPierre Says...:

Over the counter medications for weight loss are primarily caffeine pills. The use of any stimulant tends to reduce appetite and speed up metabolism. The fact that you're eating compulsively suggests that you're using food to cope with your emotions. If you're going to stop using food then you're going to need to pick a new form of coping - otherwise you're likely to fight a losing battle. I encourage you to use a food journal - writer down everything you're eating and everything you're feeling. When people are compulsive or obsessive - they are always avoiding something. Getting to the heart of the matter and resolving whatever you're avoiding will likely be more beneficial than diet pills. There are no short cuts that don't cost more in the long run.

Everyone knows to eat healthy and exercise and yet we want nothing to do with it. Listen to your body and give it what it wants. Overeating feels good emotionally and bad physically. Do what you will - but be honest with yourself about it - it will look different on paper than it does in your head. Good luck!

Question: My 8 year old daughter is 4 foot 6 and she weighs 135 pounds. She is not interested in exercise of any kind. I have been trying to model healthy eating and exercise habits but she doesn’t seem to care. I do not want to put her on a diet because of the message that sends but when I let her choose how much to eat she eats too much and she eats too much junk food as well (even though we don’t have it at home she has an allowance and her friends and grandma also supply it). How do I get her to lose weight without putting a lot of negative pressure on her? I don’t want her hungry but something has to change.

Jim LaPierre Says...:

I applaud you for wanting to help your daughter without shaming her or making her overly self conscious. I'd suggest getting on the same page with grandma and expressing your concerns. I'd suggest not allowing your daughter to choose her own portions and ensuring that what is available to her is healthy. I wouldn't see a lot of value in dissuading her from eating junk food (losing battle). Instead I would ask you what's going on in your daughter's life? Is she eating to cope with negative emotions? Is there an emptiness or absence in her life? How can these needs be met?

Encouraging an active lifestyle will help and avoids the battle over calories. What could you be doing with her in exercise that is fun/involves spending time as a family? Talking with your daughter about her goals and her feelings about her body may inspire more investment from her. Good luck and please follow up with more questions if I can be of service!

Question: I am severely overweight. I am not sure how overweight because my scale does not go high enough but it is well over 400 pounds and I probably eat 5000 to 6000 calories per day. I am trying to get healthier and I know I need to start by losing a lot of weight but when I try to eat even 3000 calories per day I am so hungry all the time and I can't stand it. How do I get past this hunger? My body is so used to getting more food so now it demands it.

Jim LaPierre Says...:

To feel satiated is to feel full - to be content or perhaps stuffed. For those of us who go to unhealthy extremes there is an emptiness we are trying to fill. Food is an easy filler. I wonder what else you hunger for (long for).

When we stuff our emotions...it takes a toll. Sooner or later we need to use a substance to help repress what we feel. Food does this readily.

Suggestions - meet with your primary care physician and discuss your goals. Start 2 journals - 1 for your food intake in order to be more aware of what you are eating and when. The second journal you could use to ask yourself, "What else do I want?" What is missing in your life? What are you wanting to feel? It seems food is instant gratification for you but it also seems it's a poor substitute for what you truly long for.

Drink lots of water. Walk. Allow yourself to discover what you truly want and have the guts to go get it.