Ask Dr. Craig!: The Holiday Weight Gain

Dr. Craig is a BellaNaija columnist and one of the doctors who writes for BN Doctors’ Lounge {Get familiar here}. The idea behind ‘Ask Dr. Craig!‘ is for BN readers to get quick sharp answers to niggling medical issues that they have. This does not in anyway mean that readers should not go to their doctors. However, sometimes you just need a human face to give answers to those fast, burning medical concerns our readers have.

Send your questions for Dr. Craig to features(at)bellanaija(dot)com stating your full name and where you are writing from. (Your name will never be published) The editor reserves the right to edit submissions for content brevity and clarity. We regret that we cannot provide individual answers to questions sent in and cannot state at which exact date answers would be published.

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Dear Dr. Craig,
I need your help! I feel like I’ve added over 10kg this Christmas holiday. Can you blame me? Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, Chicken, Turkey, Moi-Moi, Ice-Cream!
True, I’ve never been a size 8, and as far back as I can remember I have always been big, but now I no longer fit into my size 14 jeans. I feel fat and ugly and unattractive.
Is there is a pill that I can take to melt this fat?

Former-Size-14. Festac Town, Lagos.

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Dear Former-Size-14,

Happy New Year! You sound like you really enjoyed your holiday. Did you save me some Jollof rice?

First of all, let me say that you are beautiful, no matter what you weigh. Your self worth should not come from the number on a scale or the size on your jeans. Beauty is more than what you look like on the outside. Beauty is what resides within your soul! If you haven’t learnt to love yourself at size 16, then it’s unlikely that you will love yourself if you are a size 8.

Having said that, your health is important and that includes maintaining a healthy weight. Depending on how tall you are, there is a specific range within which you are less likely to be prone to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis and other diseases.

I doubt that you could actually add 10kg in one short week. A few hearty meals may make you feel bloated for a couple of days but won’t significantly add to your overall weight. However, rapid weight gain may be a pointer to hormonal imbalance and if what you describe is correct then it may be necessary for you to see a physician as soon as you can.

If you have noticed any increase in facial hair, any change in your monthly cycle, or have recently developed acne or unusually oily skin, then it is possible that you could be experiencing a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

There are many pills and teas marketed on the internet that claim to ‘melt’ fat in 28 days. They DO NOT WORK. A lot of them are diuretics which work by increasing water loss by urination and using them can cause severe dehydration and kidney damage.

Losing weight is possible but it will be gradual and will not be without sweat and pain. The only tested and tried way to lose weight is to reduce your caloric intake (what you eat) while AT THE SAME TIME increasing your energy expenditure (Exercise). Avoid processed food and sugary drinks and consider joining a gym where you can participate in both cardio exercises and weight training exercises. Weight training can either be body weight exercises like push ups and squats or free weight exercises like dumbbell curls and barbell dead lifts. Weight lifting is important because it helps to increase the amount of calories that your muscles burn when you do cardio and in turn will increase the amount of fat burnt.

I hope this helps,

Warm regards,

Dr. Craig
Disclaimer: This column is written for patient education. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe treatment and does not replace the advice of your physician. It in no means attempts to cover the full medical scope of this condition.