On some days, dealing with problems of excessive weight seems to represent the (pardon the pun) bulk of patient complaints. Some of these concerns are genuine: Real obesity does predispose you to a variety of health risks. Understanding the whole issue of being overweight is more complicated than you'd think. Genetics play a part, as does individual metabolism. And don't forget your environment. There's no question that for some of us losing weight is hard--and frustrating. We live in a land abundant with good things to eat and everywhere we go, someone is snacking on something.

At the same time, fad diets that promise quick success without effort don't make real weight loss any easier. Ultimately, being obese is mainly the end result of an unhealthful lifestyle. If you keep making healthy changes (and there are dozens of possibilities, believe me), the weight you hate simply has to start coming off.

Learn About Weight Loss