(December 26, 2012) It is widely reported that the No. 1 resolution people make is to lose weight and/or eat healthier. I’m sure that comes as no surprise because, if you are like me, you have made that same resolution time and again.
There are a variety of reasons for the increased weight more of us are carrying. Hectic schedules and family/work demands mean more eating on the run, which often includes high calorie fast food options. Those same busy schedules keep us from exercising. Technology has afforded us more ability to communicate, work and even play from a seated location. Genetics have also been proven to be part of the problem. Combine several, or all, of these and you have a prescription for weight gain. In spite of this it is entirely possible to lose weight and get healthy. We may just have to take a different look at how to do this.
First and foremost we need to learn how to eat. The worst thing you can do when making the pledge to get healthy is to “go on a diet.” Diets involve restricting food which, in turn, will make you feel deprived and ultimately miserable. You will not be able to stick to any program that makes you unhappy!
What we need to understand is that the unhealthy choices we make, which includes quantity, timing and type, is our problem. We must stop viewing the purpose of eating as ceasing hunger and instead see it for what it was intended – fuel for our bodies.
A good place to learn what your body needs to be fueled appropriately is mypyramid.gov. Another resource for learning when and how to eat is sparkpeople.com, a free online community that provides information on the mini-meal concept plus encouragement, tracking and support to get healthy.
The second tool we need to implement is exercise. The good news is that you don’t have to join an expensive gym or set aside hours each day – especially if you are just starting out. Most experts agree that exercising 30 minutes/day most days of the week is a great start. Even this small change will begin to make a difference in how you look and feel.
If you have trouble getting motivated, try a smart phone app. These tools, such as My Fitness Pal myfitnesspal.com, will track your exercise patterns and log the calories burned. Watching the total add up may just be the motivation you need!
What if eating well and exercising isn’t enough? What if a significant amount of weight needs to be lost? Is there any hope? For some the answer comes down to weight loss surgery. This is an option that has grown and become more acceptable as a weight loss tool over the past several years. However, it is only an option for some people and just having surgery doesn’t guarantee success.
A truly well-rounded program will offer their patients a structured comprehensive program of education, support and follow-up. In other words, you will still have to eat healthy and exercise but it may be an additional tool that helps the medically overweight achieve a healthy life. Pursuing weight loss surgery is not to be undertaken lightly, but for those who qualify it can offer a new lease on life. To learn more about weight loss surgery, Texas Health Rockwall’s program is a great resource – visit their weight loss surgery site at txbariatrics.com.
No matter how much weight you need to lose talking with your physician is the key to getting started. Learn how much you should lose, what your caloric intake should be and, if you are considering weight loss surgery, ask them about reputable medical practices where surgery is offered. The best news of all is that getting healthy is completely within reach!
The Good Health guest column is submitted by Blue Ribbon News special contributor, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, recently recognized among the ‘Best Places to Work’ in healthcare – ranked 27th in the nation by Modern Healthcare Magazine.
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