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Treatment for Obesity
The safest and most effective way to lose weight is to reduce calories and increase physical activity. It is best to consult with your physician for advice to meet your needs. Your doctor can help you decide what changes to make to your lifestyle to promote weight loss.
Depending on the severity of your weight problem, you may have a need to drop weight with the help of medication or medical procedures in the beginning. But, it is important to remember that even with assistance towards weight loss in the beginning, you will still need to adopt a lifestyle change in order to maintain your weight loss.
Aim For a Healthy and Realistic Weight
The first goal should be to identify what a healthy BMI is for you based on your height and weight. You can find out by talking with your doctor or by using a body mass index table like this one. Keep in mind that BMI has some limitations in that it can overestimate body fat in persons who are very muscular, and it can underestimate body fat in persons who have lost muscle mass, such as many elderly.
Also note that having a BMI in the overweight or obese range does not necessarily indicate that a person is unhealthy. An actual diagnosis of overweight or obesity, and any health problems you may be at risk for personally, should be made by a health care professional.
Remember that losing just 10% of your body weight can improve your health. Also, unless directed by your doctor, a person should aim to lose weight gradually (1/2 to 2 pounds per week).
Exercise and Diet
A needed factor in any weight loss program is a healthy diet and regular exercise. Limit your snacking, choose sensible portion sizes and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Don't be fooled by fad diets claiming you can lose 20 pounds a week by eating 9 servings of watermelon a day. A sensible diet is required for any weight loss program to be successful.
In addition to a healthy diet, get active! Keeping physically active helps you balance the calories you consume. How much and what type of exercise you need will largely be based upon what you can do safely based on your personal weight, but being physically active for at least 30 minutes per day is a good basic goal. You will want to discuss any exercise program with your doctor before starting it to ensure it is both safe and beneficial for you to perform.
The Time Is Now
It is in your best interest to get healthy now. Don't wait for New Year's or until after you have had your birthday cake in a few months. Give yourself better health, better mobility, better self-esteem and a better life period by committing yourself to losing weight and getting healthy.
For more information on obesity, see:
If you think you are overweight or obese, talk with your doctor about designing a weight loss plan to help you live a longer and healthier life.
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