DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 75 years old. I don’t drink, smoke or eat anything white. I am 5’4” and weigh 172 but should weigh 130. I walk four hours a day.
I lost 21 pounds on the South Beach diet. How can I lose that last 40 pounds? My doctor says I MUST eat 1200 calories a day but I feel that is too much. I currently consume 800 calories a day in an attempt to lose the extra weight.
DEAR READER:
You are not taking in enough calories and I fear that you may actually be starving yourself and may be malnourished. Your diet may be detrimental to your health. This could be why you have stopped losing weight. Without proper nutrition your body will not properly metabolize what you do eat.
You should not be so concerned about your weight. At 75, it will not make much difference to your health. Stop the restrictive diet, consult with a nutritionist and get back to enjoying life.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eating Disorders”. Other readers who would like copies should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott