Obesity is still running rampant across the United States, and everyone blames someone else. Is it the fast food restaurants fault, or the fault of restaurants whose portion sizes are out of control, or is it the fault of the individual who eats too much? And what if you don’t really eat that much?
The stats says that more than one-third of America is obese, and that’s just counting the adults. But where do you start when it comes to losing weight, or not gaining it in the first place? Well, it helps to know why you’re obese, and then go from there.
Doctors And Therapy
One of the first steps you can take, if you’re fighting obesity in your life, is to talk to a doctor. Find out how much overweight you are. Are you simply just overweight? Maybe you’re only on the cusp of obesity, or are you morbidly obese and if you don’t do something you could lose your life?
Obesity is, and should be, a scary thing. Your internal organs are being harmed, for one thing. A doctor can suggest therapy, and between the two you can get help finding out why you are obese and what you can do about it.
One more fun way to deal with weight loss is through a weight loss camp, and they exist for adults and children. Here you’ll get that therapy you need, as well as learning to eat better and getting the exercise that will get you back into shape.
Looking At Diet
Speaking of eating right- most restaurants serve portions that are larger than they need to be. On top of that, they usually contain too much sodium, and not enough good stuff. Even a restaurant salad can fall under a bad meal category with too much salt and calories.
It’s important to learn what are good choices when eating out, but it’s more important to start eating in. This way you know what you are eating, and what is going into it. Stock up on fresh foods, and try to avoid boxed and bagged foods. Fruits and vegetables are going to be on the top of your diet list if you want to be healthier and lose weight.
What About Physical Activity?
You should be getting some form of physical activity in on a daily basis, ideally 20 minutes a day, seven days a week. Or, if you need time off, than 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Do a mixture of workout types, from lifting weights and toning, to cardio fitness.
While diet alone can help you start losing weight, exercise will help ensure you are dropping fat, and keeping muscle, and it will speed up the weight loss process. It’s also good for your heart, lungs, and brain!
Is It Something Else?
Why is it important to know what is causing your weight gain? It’s because knowing the culprit could help in the weight loss. If it’s stress induced, causing binge eating or boredom eating, dealing with your stress will be part of the answer.
Some prescription medications can cause weight gain, and so can some illnesses. Only your doctor can determine if this is the issue, and they can then change you to a different medication, or find out what is wrong with your health and get you on the path to wellness.