‘Tis the season to lose weight. With the New Year, brings lots of New Year resolutions. Many people are starting their second week of resolutions, and one of the top goals is to get rid of unwanted pounds. The premise to losing weight is quite simple, eat less and exercise more. Some people will consume very little in hopes to dropping pounds fast. Dr. Mickey Barber, CEO of Cenegenics Carolinas says cutting too many calories can do more harm than good. She states, “When the body is put into starvation mode, it stores fat and slows the metabolism which will inhibit weight loss.” There are obvious physical signs and harmful effects of cutting too many calories. Says Dr. Barber, “People can become weak, dizzy, and undernourished from making such a drastic change in their caloric intake; it can even lead to organ damage and gallstones.” So what is the best way to lose weight? There is a simple solution. Says Dr. Barber, “Patients need to eat a well balanced, low fat diet that is high in complex carbohydrates. At Cenegenics Carolinas, we help people reach their weight loss goal through diet and personalized exercise plans, hormone optimization and lifestyle changes.” Patients need to remember that cutting back on too many calories could result in weight gain. “Staying on a starvation diet will result in weight regain every time. Once a person goes back to their normal eating habits, the weight comes right back,” says Barber. In many cases, they gain additional weight because of slower metabolism.