Ruben Studdard's Weight Loss Success

Courtesy of BlackDoctor.org

Lately, there seems to be a whole lot less of the once 450-pound Velvet Teddy Bear. Turns out that singer Ruben Studdard , prompted by rising health concerns about his weight, recently decided to take action by checking into a $7,000 four-week program at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center.

The Program

Part of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, this weight management center aims to help clients live a healthier lifestyle by reducing their body weight and increasing their level of physical activity. The program addresses several components of weight loss, including: nutrition, fitness, behavioral health, medical management and support. That means patients not only get the chance to meet with registered dieticians who teach them to make smart food choices, but they are also given exercise physiologists who customize workout programs tailored to meet their individual needs.

The program includes a number of plan options, including the length of stay. While Studdard elected the 4-week program, others can chose from 2 or 3-week programs or a continued lifestyle coaching program after their initial stay has ended.

The Reason

Studdard's weight puts him at risk for a number of diseases that have been associated with obesity. Such diseases could include: diabetes, high blood pressure—which in turn can lead to heart disease, kidney failure and stroke—respiratory problems, depression and much more. And on top of all these possible health concerns, there was another reason that Studdard chose to take action: his vocation. It seems that obesity can actually put a person at risk for developing gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes stomach acid to move into the esophagus. Acid reflux into the larynx and throat can cause a number of problems for singers, including restricted vocal tone placement and decreased pitch range.

The Results

So does the program work? Well, the website offers up a score of testimonials and Studdard himself has reportedly lost 70 pounds so far. Plus, a study of the Duke Diet & Fitness Center revealed that graduates of the weight loss program continued to progress one year later, after they had left the program, even continuing to drop weight.

For those who feel that $7,000 might be a little too much to spend on a weight loss program, there are other alternatives out there. Weight Watchers is one popular option. You may not get a personal coach that will make sure you jump on that treadmill every morning, but you will find a supportive community. Not only does Weight Watchers provide its clients with materials designed to help them eat healthier, but the program also offers weekly meetings designed to motivate clients towards a healthier lifestyle.

After all, as many studies have shown, sometimes a little support is all you really need to get moving.

By Nicole Smith, BlackDoctor.org Staff Writer

This article is provided courtesy of BlackDoctor.org.

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