Information and facts on Weight Loss

 

Weight problems are normally an excess of body fat. Normally, anyone who is 20% over the normal weight for their age, sex, build, and height is considered obese or to have a weight problem. According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,  Minnesota, a person's weight is healthy if it falls within the acceptable range for his or her height and age; if the pattern of fat distribution does not place the person at increased risk for certain diseases; and if the person has no medical problem for which a physician recommends that he or she lose weight. How much a person weighs is only part of the story, however. Perhaps more important than weight is the percentage of fat in the body. For healthy women, fat can account for as much as 25% of body weight;  17% is a healthy percentage for men. Women's bodies are designed to carry a higher proportion of fat tissue to make sure there is plenty of fuel for both pregnancy and nursing.

The average human body has 30 to 40 billion fat cells. Most of the extra calories we eat that we do not need for immediate energy are stored as fat. If we were still "hunter/gatherers" like our early ancestors, the fat would provide a needed food store for times when no food is readily available. In fact, some researchers believe that our seemingly innate love of high-calorie (especially fatty) foods may be a remnant of a survival tactic from ancient times, when we needed to store food for energy. But in modern society, storing energy as fat is no longer necessary for most people. Most Americans wait no more than 4 hours between meals. So instead of being a valuable survival mechanism, the body's ability to store fat now is more likely to have a profoundly negative effect on health. As fat accumulates, it crowds the space occupied by the internal organs. Obesity even moderate overweight puts an undue stress on the back, legs, and internal organs, and this can eventually exacerbate many physical problems and compromise health. Obesity increases the body's resistance to insulin and susceptibility to infection, and puts one at a higher risk for developing coronary artery disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, and other serious health problems that may result in early death.

Complications of pregnancy and liver damage also are more common in overweight individuals. Obese persons suffer psychologically as well as physically, because our society tends to equate beauty, intelligence, and even success with thinness. The most common causes of obesity are poor diet and/or eating habits  and a lack of exercise. Other factors that can lead to obesity include glandular malfunctions, diabetes, hypoglycemia, emotional tension, boredom, and a simple love of food. Obesity has also been linked to food sensitivities and/or allergies. Food your body cannot use or that is a poison to your system is stored in the tissues and causes water retention. Ironically, poor nutrition may be an important factor in obesity. 

When there is inadequate intake of certain essential nutrients, fat is not easily or adequately burned and can accumulate in the body. Obesity is a serious health problem and, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is on the rise in the United States. At least 34% of Americans are 20%  or more overweight. Even though this country has gone through several fitness crazes in recent years, Americans today are fatter, more stressed out, and less likely to get regular exercise than 10 years ago. And if we are getting fatter, it isn't because we have stopped trying to lose weight. National surveys  estimate that at any given time, 25 to 50 % of adult Americans are on some sort of diet, and we spend  more than $30 billion each year on diet aids and remedies. Unfortunately, even those who lose weight  often put it back on. It is estimated that 67% of those who lose weight regain the lost pounds within 3 to 5 years.

Traditionally, there are three basic approaches to weight management: through nutritional supplementation.  The first is the use of diuretic herbs and nutrients to reduce water retention. The second is the use of  lipotropic vitamins, which have the ability to reduce cholesterol and fat. Third is the use of natural appetite suppressants. Permanent weight loss, however, requires a lifetime commitment to a healthier lifestyle in general including food/diet, exercise, and mental spiritual outlook.

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.