By: Dr. Ayotunde Adeyeri

With a little planning you can enjoy the foods of the upcoming holiday season without tipping the scales. Follow these simple tips to help avoid overeating:

• Avoid hunger. Always have a small snack before you go to a party.
• Don’t skip meals in preparation for a holiday feast. Being famished often leads to overeating.
• Plan your intake on the day of the party.  Go easy all day to justify your big meal.
• Focus on family and friends, not food. It’s hard to talk and eat at the same time.
• Stand away from the food. The closer you are, the more likely you are to nibble.
• Take small portions. Denying yourself your favorite food will only lead to frustration. Use a smaller plate—your servings will look bigger.
• Go easy on appetizers, start with a salad and drink water with meals to cut down food intake, take time between every mouthful of food – put the fork down.
• Watch your choice of beverage; they can add plenty of calories.
• Choose wisely. Go for lean meats, such as turkey. Load up on vegetables and fruits.
• Limit butter and high-fat salad dressings and gravies.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol weakens will power. And don’t forget, it has calories, too.
• Do not skip your exercise, stick to your activity routine. Take walks before and after big holiday meals.
• Delay dessert. If you wait a while, your craving for sweets may quiet down.
• Even if you do not lose weight focus on not gaining during the holidays.
• Deal with the leftovers wisely. Pack ‘to go’ bags for your guests, freeze them for later.
• Party planning is an art; make a realistic estimate of your guest list, menu and food portions. Buy disposable leftover containers to store or give away.

Dr. Adeyeri is the medical director of the Institute for Weight Loss at Raritan Bay Medical Center. The Institute provides individualized medical and surgical solutions and support for individuals seeking weight loss, who have been unable to lose weight through conventional dieting, exercise or weight loss medication. For more information or to make an appointment, call 1.855.TIME.4.ME.

Annual Harbor Lights Ball Sets Revenue and
Attendance Record for Raritan Bay Medical Center
-Four Awards Were Bestowed For Charitable Achievements-      

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, November 9, 2011… More than 350 guests, a record number for the event, visited ‘Havana’ at Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation’s largest fundraiser, the 27th Annual Harbor Lights Ball: Havana Nights in September.  The event raised nearly $330,000 in revenue, with net proceeds benefiting the medical center’s Broadening Our Vision, Securing Our Future growth and renewal plan, designed to expand available patient services, and upgrade and expand medical center facilities.

During the evening four awards were given recognizing dedication and philanthropic commitment to Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) and the surrounding communities. The 2011 honorees are: Humanitarian of the Year – Russell Azzarello, chairman of the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation board of directors; Business of the Year – Victoria Healthcare, an Atrium Health Group Facility; Physician of the Year – Dr. Gregory Shypula, president of the RBMC medical staff; and the Norman Tanzman Award – Robert and Barbara Sottilaro of Perth Amboy.

The black-tie ball, held at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, celebrated the theme “Havana Nights” with Cuban inspired music, live entertainment, grand silent auction, lavish food and cash raffle. Among the attendees were physicians, corporate executives and political dignitaries representing the 19th Legislative District. Rose Goldberg of Martinsville, NJ, and Bob Durso, from JJ Elek Realty in Woodbridge, NJ, served as chairpersons and led the Foundation’s event planning committee. Executive Vice President, RBMC Foundation Nancy Barone, said “the overwhelming support received for this year’s event continues to reinforce that our community understands the value of premier healthcare, close to home.”

Plans are already underway for the 28th Annual Harbor Lights Ball, which is slated for September 29, 2012.  Call 732-324-5374 or log onto www.rbmcfoundation.org to inquire about sponsorship, vendor or volunteer opportunities.

-RBMC-

About Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation
Since 1985, Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation has worked closely with community groups, businesses, and individuals to encourage and accept contributions in support of Raritan Bay Medical Center initiatives. A solid core of supporters, including a highly dedicated Board of Directors, physician partners and loyal volunteers, provide the energy and enthusiasm behind all of the Foundation’s accomplishments.

Pain Management Specialists Drs. O’Hara and Mak Join Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center

OLD BRIDGE, NJ, November 18, 2011… Pain Management Specialists Michael O’Hara, DO, and John Mak, MD, have joined the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC). Their practice New Jersey Center for Pain Management has an office near RBMC’s Old Bridge location off of Ferry Road; 14 Woodward Drive, Suite A2, Old Bridge, in addition to offices in Freehold, Toms River and Brick, NJ. The doctors accept most medical insurances and are accepting new patients. Call 1.855.5.MOTION to make an appointment.

Dr. O’Hara received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1990 in the top five percent of his class.  He completed an Anesthesiology residency from at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. He continued his studies as a fellow in the field of Pain Management with attending privileges at the University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. O’Hara finished his pain fellowship in 1995 and began his professional career in Monmouth County, NJ, that same year. Dr. O’Hara has devoted his career to the highly specialized field of Interventional Pain Management. As an expert in his field, Dr. O’Hara continues his training in order to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. He has lectured extensively on various pain management topics to physician groups and hospitals, as well as community outreach programs. Dr. O’Hara has a compassionate philosophy, and treats each patient as an individual.

Dr. Mak obtained his medical degree from SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine Internship at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center-Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He subsequently moved to Boston, Massachusetts for his residency training in Anesthesia and Critical Care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard University. Dr. Mak then pursued a pain management fellowship at the Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center-Tufts University School of Medicine, where he honed his skills in the multidisciplinary approach to pain management. Dr. Mak is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in Pain Management and Anesthesiology.  His areas of clinical expertise include treatment of neck and back pain of musculoskeletal and spinal in origin, neuropathic pain and cancer pain.  Along with utilizing a full complement of pharmacological treatments, Dr. Mak also performs a variety of interventional procedures such as epidurals, facets, sacroiliac joint injections, radiofrequency lesioning, sympathetic and peripheral nerve blocks.

-RBMC-