For many people, excess body fat is unwanted. If this applies to you, you probably scour the Internet for quick and easy ways to lose weight. However, many of the diets you find online are not customized, which may not work for you. Some of them may not even explain how they work or their long-term effects on your overall health.
If you’re thinking of losing weight and before trying any of the diet programs you find, let’s first discuss 8 weight loss topics not many people want to talk about.
1. The Role of Exercise
Healthy weight loss involves following a fitness program designed for you. It is not enough to exercise only when you want to. Regular exercise and physical activity will give you the results you want to achieve your goals.
2. Starving Yourself Is Not Effective
Food and nutrition are two significant factors in weight management. If you’re aiming to lose weight fast, you may think you can do it by starving yourself and doing crash diets. You can indeed lose weight fast by starvation, but results are not sustainable. You won’t have enough nutrients and will have low energy instead. This can increase your cravings for food high in sugar and fat, thus leading to more weight gain. Likewise, depriving your body of proper sustenance can only lead to more health risks.
3. Eat Healthy, Not Less
Even if you don’t starve yourself, eating less can still be ineffective, especially if your diet isn’t nutritious enough. Cut down on sugary and junk food, and eat healthier options instead. Make sure you maintain a balanced diet.
Include fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk products, and whole grains in your diet. Eat lean meat, poultry, beans, and fish. A healthy diet is low in trans and saturated fats, as well as added sugars and cholesterol. When cooking your food, try to avoid deep-frying it.
4. Weight Loss Is Not One Size Fits All
A quick Google search will give you information about the food you need to eat to lose weight and diet plans with positive reviews endorsed by influential people. However, you should always remember: weight loss is not one size fits all. Your friend’s or a random netizen’s diet plan may not work for you the way it did for them. Many popular diets may even be harmful to your long-term health.
Your road to weight loss involves a nutrition plan fit for your metabolism, health conditions, and lifestyle, which you can only get with the help of a dietitian or nutritionist.
5. Fluids and Sleep Are Just as Important
A healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t enough for healthy weight loss. You also have to make sure you are getting enough water to stay hydrated. Sleep also affects weight loss. Studies show that those who get enough sleep can lose weight better than those who don’t.
6. Weight Is a Risk Factor
Excess weight is a significant risk factor for many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Thus, it is vital to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. You should also check your body circumference because it can also be a sign of being overweight or obese.
7. Weight and Mental Health
Staying in shape does not only involve your physical health. Many people want to lose weight because of the pressure to keep up with beauty standards. Because of this pressure, some people end up having eating disorders or trying to lose weight in an unhealthy manner. Changing our perception of beauty and having realistic and healthy goals and conversations about our body is essential.
Mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, also have a significant effect on weight gain. If you are going through these conditions, you may have a more challenging weight loss journey.
8. Maintaining Weight Loss Results Requires Work
The problem with many fad diets is that they promise quick but unsustainable results. Losing weight healthily and with the supervision of a medical professional eases you through the process instead of forcing your body through changes in nutrient intake. Sure, you can lose weight with decreased caloric intake, but regular exercise is necessary to maintain the results you worked hard to achieve.
Medical Weight Loss in Irmo, South Carolina
If you wish to lose weight, don’t dive into it without proper research and guidance. It’s essential to learn about healthy weight loss to avoid adverse long-term health effects, and so you don’t waste your time doing anything counterproductive.
At SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation, our medical weight loss experts can guide you through your journey. We are committed to providing high-quality and patient-centered medical care.
Visit our Center for Medical Weight Loss in Irmo, South Carolina, and find out how we can help change your life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (803) 724-5185 or fill out our secure online form. We look forward to serving you!
