Many Americans carry around extra weight. As a country, we tend to eat too much and not exercise enough. Being overweight can have many negative effects on our health and our emotional state. We may have medical conditions that are made worse with extra weight. Yet, these same medical conditions may prevent us from working out regularly. It can be difficult to lose needed weight. However, with the right planning and motivation, weight loss can be achieved with a few of these options.
Discuss your exercise plan with your medical provider. If you are new to working out, or if you have any medical conditions, it is always important to discuss your new work out plan with your medical provider. They will provide tips and suggestions on which workout plans to try, and which ones to avoid. This can help prevent further medical conditions or injuries from occurring. They may refer you to a physical therapist or a weight loss clinic to work with you on finding a work out plan that works for you.
Pay attention to your body. When working out, you should always pay attention to your body. If something hurts, stop doing it and figure out why it hurts. Is it a medical problem or do you need to push it less? Paying attention to your body can prevent you from overdoing it during a workout, which can prevent you from working out later on.
Plan your meals. Diets tend not to work well. You might experience fast weight loss during the diet, but as soon as you stop the diet, you put the weight back on. If you focus instead on changing your eating patterns, you are likely to see more of a permanent change. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruits and decrease the amount of sweets and sugar. A few cheat meals once in a while may be necessary to stay on track. You may also find assistance with meal planning at a weight loss clinic. The weight loss clinic may provide you with a nutritionist who can help with proper meal planning.
Evaluate medicines and medical conditions. Some medications may cause weight gain. If you are exercising and eating right and you are still struggling with weight loss, you may want to see your medical provider. Your medical provider will discuss your current medications and will do some tests to measure hormones that could cause weight gain. This, however, should only come after appropriate exercise and eating habit changes are made.
Consider medical weight loss, if all else fails. Some people will find that they lose a few pounds after regularly exercising and eating better. However, they may then reach a standstill with weight loss. This is a point when you no longer lose weight, regardless of what you do. You have already consulted with your weight loss clinic and your medical provider and ruled out any medical medications or conditions. You may be a candidate for medical weight loss options. You will visit a weight loss center and be enrolled into a weight loss program. Your situation will be evaluated and if you are seen as a candidate, you can begin exploring medical weight loss options. This should only be a last option, after all other options have failed.
Many Americans could stand to lose a few pounds. However, that is easier said than done. Things like medical conditions, medications and stress can cause weight gain that is hard to lose. However, with the right amount of planning and motivation, weight loss can be achieved. People attempting to lose weight should consult with their medical provider prior to exercise, plan their exercise routine carefully, increase their eating habits, consider medication and hormonal weight gain and work with their weight loss clinic. If all of these options fail, medical weight loss may be an option.
