It can be extremely challenging to lose weight and maintain weight loss. There are many gimmicks and supposed tricks that promise weight loss, but make sure to do your research before purchasing any of these products. The most effective ways to lose weight and keep it off include a healthy diet, exercise and in more extreme cases, weight loss surgery. Keep reading to find out more about these weight loss options.
Diets
Dieting is one of the most effective ways to lose weight, as long as it is a healthy diet that you are able to stick to. Healthy eating can not only help you to lose weight, but you will feel better and most likely have more energy. It can also help to prevent and control certain health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and more. Fad dieting and super restrictive diets may help you to lose an initial amount of weight, but they are not healthy, and are very difficult to follow long-term. Most people who attempt fad diets end up gaining back the weight they lost (if not more) quickly after going off the diet.
Successful weight loss through dieting requires the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, nutrients and fat. You should also get to know what healthy serving sizes look like, which may be much smaller than you expect. You should also determine what a healthy amount of daily calories for your height, weight, sex and age is. You may want to meet your local health care provider or dietician for tips on healthy eating and obtaining your ideal weight. A healthy diet that is rich in whole foods and various food groups can help you to lose weight in a safe manner.
Exercise Routines
Exercise is a very important aspect of your overall health. It can also help you to lose weight, feel better about yourself, and have more energy. It can be difficult to get motivated to get moving, so don’t start off by committing to a gym membership, but start with smaller steps. There are many activities and types of exercise that you can do without having to invest in workout equipment or memberships. Simply start with a few minutes of exercise at a time until you are comfortable with that amount. You can walk or jog for 10 minutes a few times a day to start, and once you build up your endurance you can begin to exercise more intensely for longer periods a day.
There are many different types of exercise you can partake in, but the key is to find a few exercises that you find fun and will stick to. Some of the best exercises you can do include biking, jogging, swimming, skiing, hiking, dancing and even household chores, like vacuuming and mowing the lawn. You should make sure that you stretch before and after you exercise so that your muscles will be ready for exercise and to prevent injury. A couple times a week you should partake in some sort of strength training to tone and be flexible. Incorporating daily exercise into your life can help you to lose weight, feel better and live longer.
Weight Loss Surgeries
Weight loss surgery is often considered when other methods trying to lose weight are unsuccessful. If you are considering weight loss surgery it is very important to follow your doctor’s recommendations about what options make sense for you. Doctors will only recommend weight loss surgery if a person has a body mass index of 40 or higher, suffers from serious health issues due to obesity, or when other weight loss methods have been unsuccessful.
There are many different types of weight loss surgeries available, and your doctor will determine which one you are the best candidate for. Some of the most common types of weight loss surgeries include:
- Restrictive banding
- Adjustable gastric banding
- Malabsorptive / restrictive surgeries
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Biliopancreatic diversion
- Electrical device implantation
- Maestro rechargeable system
The right weight loss surgery can help you to take control of your health, but it is not an easy fix. To maintain weight loss you will need to change your eating habits and increase your daily activity.
Weight loss is possible as long as you are motivated, educated and willing to make changes. If you are nervous about committing to a diet, program or gym, start small with healthier food choices and achievable fitness goals. If you are suffering from health problems or are obese, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss healthy weight loss options which may include diet, exercise and surgery.
