There is NO Pill That Will Cure Obesity!

I am constantly amazed at the speed at which history repeats itself.

Within my lifetime, I have witnessed crazy stock-market highs, always followed by shocking lows.  I have seen American-made cars grow to tremendous, gas-guzzling size only to be followed by tremendous spikes in gas prices, followed by period of producing more efficient, smaller cars.  What’s the latest repeat performance?  Once again, drug companies are creating the next “magic bullet” to combat obesity.

Does no one remember the “Fen-Phen” nightmare?  The FDA approved this drug, only to find out that it caused problems with valves in the heart that led to death. And before that, it was “diet pills” in the 1970s (that were really nothing more than amphetamines) which resulted in everything from addiction, to heart failure and stroke.

Apparently, it’s been about 10 years since the last “obesity drug” was put on the market. Clearly, far too long of a drought for the drug companies.  And while the optimist in me would like to believe that these companies are just doing their part to help solve a problem for those who suffer, the realist knows this is simply not the case (I get to that towards the end of this article.)

Qnexa, one of 3 drugs currently under review by the FDA, was thankfully denied approval because of “safety concerns,” like increased heart rate (which could lead to long-term heart damage), possible birth defects and psychiatric problems (apparently, an increase in suicidal thoughts and depression, impaired memory and concentration) and acid buildup in bodily fluids that could incrase the risk of kidney stones.  You may end up dead, but you’ll be thin.  Is this really what people want?

What is even scarier than the fact that this drug has gone through clinical trials on humans, is that the developer, Vivus, is planning to continue to lobby for approval of a drug that may kill you or have detrimental effects on your unborn children.

Popping pills, FDA-approved or not, is not the answer to America’s obesity problem and never will be. The obesity epidemic cannot be treated as one giant problem with one simple answer.  Obesity is an individual problem.  Whether you have psychological issues around food, have a hormone imbalance or are just plain uneducated about health or unmotivated to take care of yourself, it all comes down to you.  Only you can make the changes that you need to to change your life and your health.

There are millions of “solutions” out there. What really works? It’s not a secret, it doesn’t ever change.  It has been the same for centuries.  It costs nothing and it lasts forever.  For every book that has been written about weight loss, they all say the same thing. Everyone has their particular story, but it’s all the same story.

What is it?  In one word: Lifestyle.

I can even break it down into 4 simple steps:

1.  Eat well (this means more plant-based foods, less of everything else)
2.  Exercise daily
3.  Drink water
4.  Get enough sleep

That’s it!  Does it require discipline? Yup. Is it easy?  Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Will you have to do it for the rest of your life?  Yup, but isn’t that a better option than being on a drug that will wreak havoc on your everything else for the rest of your life?

And that’s the key for drug companies.  If they get you on an “obesity drug,” you can never go off of it. This is straight from The New York Times, “Dr. Louis J. Aronne, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medical College and a consultant to Vivus, told the committee. ‘Weight loss now appears to be like a gift that keeps on giving.’”

The gift that keeps on giving. I am so appalled by that statement that I’ll repeat it, “Weight loss now appears to be like a gift that keeps on giving.”  This is why the drug companies are so eager to develop the “obesity pill.”

The only solution that will actually cure obesity, reverse heart disease and prevent cancer is changing our diet and our lifestyle. That’s it.  It is the only solution that works, does not have side effects (unless you consider good health, great energy, a positive outlook on life side effects) and will never be pulled off the shelf because it’s deemed unsafe after you’ve been using it for a few years.

Can you get help with your struggle? Of course! And there is nothing wrong with asking for help.  Just remember that help does not now and never will come in pill form. Make the decision to take control of your life and your health.  It is not the fault of your genes, your mom, your dad or anyone else.  Blaming others and making excuses are just wasting energy and time.  Make the decision to take responsibility and control of your life right here, right now.  Take action towards improving your health.

Does this mean starting today you will never eat something unhealthy again and never miss a workout?  Of course not.  That’s not realistic.  None of us is perfect and no one should ever claim to be.  What it means is that I will make today a little bit better than yesterday. Promise yourself to do one thing today that will make you healthier than what you did yesterday.

None of us is born obese.  None of us means to be obese and no one plans to be obese.  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is the action you take today.  Right here, right now.  You can plan to be healthier.  You can make that one change today and another one tomorrow and another one the day after that.  Before you know it, it’s 5 years from today and you are healthier. You have changed your lifestyle. And you have never popped a pill.

Tell me what action you’re taking today to make yourself better tomorrow. I love hearing from my readers, so post a comment below.  Tell me what action you are taking today!