If you are severely overweight it’s time to do something about it. Obesity is nothing to play with. It is killing more and more people every year. Now is the time to do something about it.
The problem is there are a lot of different obesity treatment methods one can use. So many in fact it can be very difficult to choose one to use. And while I can’t go over all of them in this article, I will go some of the best ones.
Ditch The Diet Mindset
First and foremost, it is crucial to ditch the mindset. More likely than not you have dieted your whole life. One diet after another, losing, gaining, losing, gaining, it’s an endless yo-yo cycle that rarely results in permanent and lasting results.
This is because diets don’t work, they are temporary, hence the reference, “getting on a diet” and “getting off a diet.”
Instead, consider lifestyle changes and eating tastes and habits. For example, people who quit eating sugar, often remark that when they do occasionally bite on something sweet, like a cookie or donut, the sugar is intolerable, and that is because they have permanently altered their taste for it. That is a permanent lifestyle change.
So, it’s fine to choose a “diet”, but, make sure that it focuses on lifestyle changes and permanent eating habit changes, or else it’s back on the yo-yo you’ll go. More on healthy diets later in this article.
Hire A Nutritionist
Nutritionist are healthy diet experts and getting one is a great option for those looking to start a road of recovery from obesity and head into healthy weight management.
More than likely, the obese have no clue on how to eat right, or which foods they should when and how much of them.
A nutritionist is an expert that can advise on all these issues and provide a hands free plan.
They can offer detailed weight loss plans that are based on foods you like to eat, so that you don’t have to make drastic changes in your diet. This also helps eliminate the misery that is often associated with dieting and that makes people quit soon after starting.
They are also a great support system, can answer questions and offer encouragement when you want to quit.
The other benefit is that having that regular appointment makes you accountable to someone other than yourself, especially, since it includes weigh-ins.
Behavior Modification
You behavior is one of the biggest contributing factors to your weight. That’s why behavioral modification is a great way to treat obesity. One of the easiest things you can do is start keeping a food journal. Write down everything you eat for the next 7 days. This will allow you to see what you are putting in your body. Once you know what you are eating you can start to make changes.
One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is to avoid going cold turkey. Don’t try to throw everything out all at once. This is one of the biggest reasons people fail.
You have to take baby steps. Small steps turn into big steps and you will eventually reach your goal. Some simple steps you can take are drinking less soda every day. If you currently drink three sodas a day cut that down to one. You would be surprised the dramatic impact this can have on your waist line.
Try A Commercial Weight Loss Program
When I say commercial weight loss program I mean a weight loss program that isn’t physician supervised. Programs such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, the Atkins Diet, eDiets.com and diet eBooks are all considered commercial weight loss programs. There are probably hundred different weight loss methods available to you in this space. Some are more realistic while others are downright crazy.
When looking into these types of weight loss programs please know not all claims made are backed by the FDA. It is your responsibility to do research to see if a weight loss program is not only safe but effective as well.
One of the most important elements is to choose a program that is designed to make lifestyle changes. Weight Watchers and Atkins are good choices because they are lifelong healthy eating plans, not temporary solutions.
Bariatric Surgery
The fifth obesity treatment method is bariatric surgery. This surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment for someone who is severely obese. Some are able to lose as much as 80 percent of their body weight two or three years after having the surgery. However, like with all surgeries there are risks involved. Some patients who undergo the surgery regain the weight they lost in a short period of time.
Some will even experience separated stitches which can very painful. The key is to not look at surgery as the easy way out. Because even after you have surgery you will still need to change your eating habits. If you aren’t willing to make changes to your eating habits surgery is not the best option for you.
No matter what obesity treatment method you choose, take the time to do research. Ask your doctor questions. Whatever you do you want to make sure it is the right decision for you.
Support
Having proper support is essential on the road to fitness. Make sure to have trusted friends and family on board and also there is Overeaters Anonymous, a wonderful support group with like minded people.
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