Healthy Choices

Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition that is characterized by the extent of an excess of body fat that negatively affects a persons health. An obese person will have a BMI of more than 30kg/m2, whereas someone who is overweight but not obese will have a BMI of 25kg/m2 but less than 30kg/m2

Obesity increases the risk of contracting degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart disease and the obese individual is also more likely to fall victim to type 2 diabetes.

Obesity has now been described by the World Health organization as a “world wide” epidemic. It’s estimated that around 250 million people worldwide are obese. This is particularly prevalent in the US where over one third of the adult population are obese and one in seven children and adolescents are obese.

According to Dr Jaap Seidell of the International Obesity Task force, the incidence of obesity is on the rise throughout the world making it one of the fastest developing public health concerns.

So what can be done about this ever increasing epidemic that is putting untold pressure on the world’s health resources. Basically calorie controlled diets don’t work. Restricting calories doesn’t necessarily equate to a well balanced nutritious diet. There is also the possibility that the body will go into starvation mode and lower its metabolic rate in order to cope with the sudden lack of food.

In order to tackle obesity successfully it is important to find a diet that is right for you and one that you can stick to for the rest of your life. No matter how you try to package the truth, at the end of the day if you are overweight you are either eating too much or you are eating the wrong foods for your body. Your aim should be to lose weight for life not to lose weight for a special occasion.

A diagnosis of obesity is a final wake up call to take care of your health. You may already have been diagnosed with a chronic health problem, so it is in your own interest to do the appropriate research and find a diet that suits your body type and not only helps you to lose weight but also ensures that you achieve and maintain optimal health.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Lose Weight

It is not unusual for people who are overweight to make the excuse that they can’t lose weight so there is no point trying. Losing weight is not for the feint hearted. It demands life style changes and discipline and can take many months to achieve your goal.

However if you are serious about wanting to lose weight it is worth making sure that you are properly organized before you begin. Being well organized will get you off to a good start as will my list of tips and hints to make your weight loss journey a little less stressful

1. Get rid of any foods that may tempt you to return to your old ways and instead fill your cupboards with healthy foods that will help you to lose weight

2. Buy fresh foods on the day you want to eat them. This will help to ensure that they have the maximum nutritional value.

3. Make sure you have some healthy snacks at hand in the fridge, like carrot sticks and hummus.

4. You will need to have plenty of high quality protein in your weight loss diet. Protein is necessary to convert fat into lean muscle and subsequently to speed up your metabolism.

5. Most of us suffer from a sweet tooth on occasions so it is sensible to keep a store of fruit such as bananas, apples and oranges that will offer a healthier alternative. Pure sugar causes insulin levels to rise too quickly leading to a condition known as hyper-insulinism. Fruit contains fiber which has to be broken down and results in a slower absorption of sugar and a more gradual rise in insulin levels.

6. You should aim to stick to your diet at least for 95% of the time and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have a bad day or feel the need for a treat. It is always better to have a treat and get back to your diet rather than feel deprived and ending up binging

7. Start thinking like a slim person and imagining yourself as slim. If you think like a slim person you will act like a slim person and consequently you will begin to eat like as a slim person. The power of though can help you to lose weight more effectively and maintain that weight loss in the future.

8. Don’t be tempted to give up. There will always be times when sticking to your diet will prove to be more than you can cope with, but the most important thing is to get back on the diet as soon as things get back to normal.

9. Trying to lose weight on your own can be a lonely business. Either join a class or maybe form a weight loss group of your own amongst your friends, colleagues or family members. The benefits of group therapy and a good support system can make all the difference to your ultimate successful weight loss

10. Determination and a resolve to do it to the best of your ability will certainly help you to lose weight. Many people have lost vast amounts of weight and have kept it off successfully it just takes a bit of will power and an understanding that this is an eating plan for life and not just for the duration of your weight loss regime

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews