Imagine, your children imploring you to play with them outside or to take them for an outing in the park…and you just can’t. Your back hurts after just ten minutes of walking, and running is not an option because you become quite winded and fatigued. Instead, you suggest watching a movie or T.V. show together and pop up some buttery popcorn or order a pizza, thinking that still constitutes valuable “family time.” So you spend hours on the couch with the family, and before you know, a vicious generational cycle of sedentary lifestyle and junk food unfolds. You can choose to give in, or you can break this pattern forever.
The condition of being overweight
shortens lifespans as studies have proven time and again. Rather than dwelling on the consequences, you
can focus on some possible solutions, like the HCG diet, for instance. This program can
lead to a permanent lifestyle change, as opposed to serving as a crash diet
that facilitates rapid but temporary weight loss. With the HCG diet, you’re using the weight loss drops to help with appetite issues and muscle tissue and “phasing in” new
eating and food preparation habits that will lead to lifelong weight
management.
If you’re still not completely
convinced, then consider some of the other ways that losing weight (and keeping
it off) would improve your quality of life.
Longer Life (possibly)
Conditions like heart disease and
diabetes, not mention several forms of cancer, are key factors to a short and
often painful, lifespan. So by losing weight, you are increasing your chances for
a longer and more enjoyable life without as many worries about health issues. According to the CDC, a five to ten percent
decrease in weight leads to dramatic drops in blood pressure, cholesterol and
blood sugar. Just a five percent (give
or take ten pounds) can greatly decrease your chances of developing a chronic
condition that directly results from obesity.
If you are worried about genetics,
then you’re actually working against the genes that have you prone to diabetes
and/or obesity. You are one step ahead
in the battle to take control of your health.
Management of Pain or Chronic Conditions
To take stress off of the back or
joints, losing weight is the ideal “treatment” and often recommended by
orthopedists. Although a patient might
request pain medication as part of pain management, an opioid or even a mild
analgesic is not the “first line of defense,” according the CDC. For the short term, a person might need to
take an anti-inflammatory medication, but for long term management, losing the
extra pounds and the exercise and nutrition changes that go along with it,
ensure more mobility. The same goes for
arthritis. Taking weight off of affected
joints alleviates discomfort, while regular exercise helps to keep a person
going.
Aside from musculoskeletal-related
issues, weight loss can aide in the battle with diabetes or high blood pressure
because, again, the process that is all a part of losing weight can help a
patient cut down on, if not, get off of some medications. Of course, consultation with a doctor is
highly recommended to be sure.
Correlation with Mental Health
According to an April 2013 issue of
NIH (National Institutes of Health) “Research Matters,” 80% of people who
suffer from mental disorders, like schizophrenia or severe depression, also
tend to have difficulty with weight management.
Thus, a study was conducted on 291 individuals who suffered from the
aforementioned conditions or from bipolar disorder and who participated in
outpatient psychiatric treatment programs.
These individuals also fell into the overweight or obese range. Weight loss programs and regimens were incorporated into
their treatment plans, and the participating individuals lost an average of
four pounds after six months. After 18
months, 38% lost 5% of their body weight.
The results included overall improved (not cured but improved) physical
health and improved sense of wellbeing. According to this site, the studies
show that proper interventions can greatly assist people who deal with mental
health issues to make healthy choices that will benefit them in the long run.
Broader Range of Movement and Stamina
Pain and fatigue can take a toll on
a person, much less on a lifestyle and relationships. However, losing weight usually results in
less stress on joints and muscles, especially if the core, which is the center
of gravity in the body, is strengthened through exercise. This may be why many doctors first prescribe
physical therapy before resorting to surgery or strong medication or
injections. Furthermore, more exercise
that results in losing extra pounds means a broader range of movement for
muscles that have been stretched and strengthened and increased stamina, which
then leads to more activity which, in turn, facilitates weight loss. This is a much healthier cycle to embark on
as opposed to being sedentary.
Improvement of Family Time
Do you remember that scenario
mentioned at the beginning? Now imagine
the opposite where fatigue and pain no long dictate activity level or directly
affect relationships with loved ones and friends. Losing weight means feeling better physically
and emotionally which translates to more motivation to get out of the living
room and out the door for that outing in the park or even just for a walk
around the block. Even in the situation
of managing a chronic condition some improvement in movement and stamina can be
helpful in building morale, and that kind of positive energy can be passed on
to everyone around you.
Prevention of Health Issues
Now there’s
a lot of concern about managing physical conditions, but what about prevention? For example, if you look closely at diabetes,
particularly Type 2, you will find that it can lead to heart disease and
stroke. By incorporating all habits that
are necessary to losing weight, you will bring down cholesterol levels, which
cuts the risk of developing clogged arteries, which can lead to a heart attack.
According to the NIDDK (National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases), Type 2 diabetes also correlates
with kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage, just to name a few
detrimental conditions. So by losing
even just five to ten percent of weight, you can cut the risk of developing
diabetes.
More Positive Outlook
For a moment, put aside the concept
of outward appearance connecting with self-confidence. Appearance might alter a bit with a new look,
but your inner gifts and talents NEVER change except to become even better with
wisdom that comes from life experience and a love for learning. With that being said, losing weight should be
more about feeling better and healthier, which in turn, enhances your overall
mood and outlook. When the focus is
taken away from appearance alone to a quest to take back your life, then losing
weight takes on a whole new meaning.
Vastly Improved Sleep Cycles
When a person has a high BMI (body
mass index), then that can be an indicator of “sleep disordered breathing,”
according to The American Heart Association’s site. Irregular breathing can disturb your sleep
patterns and prevent you from achieving REM, which takes place during the
deepest stage of sleep. In turn, lack of
adequate deep sleep (7 to 9 hours), causes an increase of ghrelin in the
system, which triggers increased appetite, especially for high-calorie
foods. So the way to break this cycle is
to lose weight at your own pace and incorporate some more physical activity,
which coincidentally leads to better sleep cycles.
All in all, this is an important
task to take on, and it is never too late to start taking control of your
mental and physical health. Your loved
ones and friends will be so glad you did.
Photo Credit: Lagosmums.comAbout Our Guest Blogger
Gracy Liura is a dedicated and qualified nutritionist with over six years of experience in the Indian food industry. She has earned a MSc degree in Human Nutrition at Chinmaya degree College (BHEL) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. You can contact her any time you'd want if you've got any questions regarding her guest posts.
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