We'll look into the primary factors that lead to weight gain, how to assess your obesity-related health risks, how to determine if you are overweight, and how to assess if you're really ready to lose weight permanently. It's true that calories consumed must be less than calories burned in order for weight loss to occur, but obesity has many other causes that we'll explore. It's also true that the more pounds you carry above your ideal weight, the higher risk you have for certain chronic diseases. It's important for you to assess, however, if you truly do have a weight problem, and what a realistic "ideal weight" is for you. Lastly, you must decide whether this is a good time for you to lose weight by doing a self-assessment. The overwhelming statistics show that most people who lose weight eventually gain it all back. You must be willing to take on the challenge and commitment that it takes to lose weight permanently. If you're not really ready, then it is likely that you too will be another "statistic". This weight loss program will guide you through the necessary steps to lose weight permanently so that this is the last time you'll ever have to shed pounds.
Causes of Obesity
In general, when you take in more calories than your body burns each day, you will gain weight. As simple as this sounds, however, it's not just whether you overeat that determines whether or not you will become obese. There are several other factors which contribute to obesity. Some factors, such as genetics and age are unchangeable. However, as you will see, many other factors are within your control to modify. You should focus on changing these factors to help you in your quest for greater health and weight loss. Review the causes below to determine which factors might be playing a role in why you're overweight today.
- Genetics
- Gender
- Age
- Medical Condition
- Physical Activity
- High-fat diet
- Environmental and Behavioral Influences
- Portion Sizes and Overeating
- Modern Conveniences
- Chronic Dieting
One of the best motivators for achieving long-term weight loss is when our health is at stake rather than simply our appearance. The more overweight you are, the higher your risks are for the following conditions:
- Shortness of breath
- High Cholesterol Levels
- Osteoarthritis
- High Blood Pressure/Stroke
- Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
- Cancer
- Sleep Disorders
- Emotional and Social Problems
You should always keep in mind, however, that height and weight tables or calculations do not always represent an appropriate weight for you as an individual. For instance, if you are a female who is 5'4" and weighs 220 pounds, some calculations will tell you that your ideal weight is 108-132 pounds.
However, if you've never weighed below 155 pounds in your adult life, then it is probably not realistic to expect to achieve a goal weight of 120 pounds. You should probably strive for the upper end of the figures you see or even strive for what you feel is the most realistic goal for you. If you're overweight, then any amount of weight loss or exercise significantly adds to better health and a better attitude. So make your goal better health and not to look like a supermodel!
Requirements for Permanent Weight Loss
If you're like millions of people out there, you've tried multiple diets only to watch the weight come back on time and time again. Why do most diets eventually fail? Because they do not take into account all the components that you must address and incorporate to lose weight permanently. In general, most of these diets deal only with restricting calories, limiting certain types of foods, or eating only certain food combinations. Chances are, however, that the reasons you're overweight are about more than just what you're putting in your mouth. Do you eat when you're not hungry? Is exercise a foreign concept? Does a stressful day lead to empty ice cream containers? In other words, it's not usually what you're eating, but why you're eating. Successful, permanent weight loss must address not only a healthy diet plan that works for you, but also how to incorporate regular exercise and modify the behaviors that drive you to overeat to begin with.
In a nutshell, to lose weight permanently you must take each of the following steps:
- Choose a healthy, well-balanced diet plan that works for you.
- Find exercises you enjoy and do them regularly.
- Commit (for a lifetime) to identifying, learning about, and changing the behaviors that cause you to overeat.
Remember: Consult your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program.
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