The American Spectator

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The Nation's Pulse

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Further while Slentrol may help dogs, drugs have done little to help humans. It's rare to lose more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your weight with them and many people won't even take appetite-reducing medicine because, after all, it reduces their appetite!

And folks, this ain't just about looks.

In dogs, overweight causes diabetes, liver disease, and arthritis. That doesn't count all the bennies they lose from lack of exercise. In humans, "Obesity is a risk factor for many serious illnesses including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, respiratory disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancer" according to the International Obesity Task Force. It's given rise to a tremendous increase in type 2 diabetes and even causes birth defects in offspring of overweight mothers. A 2004 study from the California-based Rand Corporation found a striking increase in disability among Americans caused by the rise in obesity.

Fat also costs a fortune. "Annual U.S. obesity-attributable medical expenditures are estimated at $75 billion," a January 2004 Obesity Research study concluded. The tab is assuredly far heftier now.

So let's be clear. Over-the-counter potions don't work. Prescription medicine barely works. Surgery, reserved only for the morbidly obese, won't get you to a healthy weight. After your 15th diet book promising you can lose weight if you just eat more or less carbs, consume foods in the right combinations, or eat lots more chocolate (Seriously), you catch on that they don't work either.

So what does? I'm sorry, but there has to be an element of discipline. Repeat after me: There is NO magic! Neither are McDonald's, KFC, and Costco with its 10-pound bags of cheesy-poofs going to make it easy for you. But every calorie you keep out of your mouth and every calorie you burn off with walking or jogging or bicycling or simply parking your car in the farthest space from the store helps. You can start right now by taking Rover for a run. (Just don't forget the pooper scooper and plastic bag.)

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