Society pushes this skinny, shapeless figure onto women and it distorts the reality of what healthy is. Girls that are active in exercise and eating healthy still find problems with themselves because they don’t look like the airbrushed models on magazines and in movies. It’s a problem. Confidence is key when it comes to being in shape and losing weight. However, if you suffer from a slow metabolism or eating disorder or even a weight related disease, it can be very difficult and frustrating to lose weight. Medical weight loss centers around the nation have realized this very thing and are working hard to come up with solutions for men and women who have struggled with this very issue.
What is Successful Weight Loss?
The problem with the word ‘successful’ is that is it subjective to the person using it. Each person determines their own level of success. Some people might be happy with losing half a pound per week, while others are not satisfied unless they are on a crazy lose-a-pound-a-day diet. However, medical weight loss centers have done a lot of research and studies and have determined what a healthy rate of weight loss would be and that is one pound per week. The truth is, if you are on a downward trend of weight loss at all, you should consider that successful. Even if you are not losing but your habits are changing and you are eating better and becoming more active, this is still success. As you can see, there are different levels of success when it comes to being healthy. It’s all about changing habits and ways and becoming happier with yourself.
How Does One Lose a Pound Per Week?
One pound of fat equals about 3,500 calories. That equates out to about 500 extra calories that need to be burned daily in order to lose one pound per week. 500 calories is not hard to do but it must be combined with healthy calorie consumption as well as moderate exercise. Medical weight loss centers suggest cutting out sugar and simple carbohydrates as well as processed foods. Things like breakfast cereals, candy, desserts, sodas and other foods should be avoided if you are trying to lose weight. Even if you are within your calorie limit while eating these foods, it can cause your body to process even the healthy food incorrectly and you will not end up getting all the vitamins and nutrients that you need in order to be healthy.
What Kinds of Calories Should One Eat?
If you are trying to lose weight, it does matter what kinds of foods you eat. Medical weight loss centers have determined that brown starches are okay in moderation, such as, whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat tortillas, etc are okay as long as you don’t eat to much. You’ll also need a balance of lean protein. Chicken, some fish, some beans, eggs and numerous vegetables are a good source of protein. The important factor in calorie intake is making sure that you are not just looking at the calorie count. Balance out your food with the different things you need as far as protein, vitamins, minerals, iron, etc. Speak with your doctor about what would be right for your body and your goals. Each person may differ in the amount of nutrients that they need and it would be doing yourself a disservice to just assume that you are the same as everyone else. Your doctor may actually be able to set you up with a specific eating and exercise regiment that will cater to your physical and dietary and nutritional needs so that you are able to lose the weight you need.
If you have decided that it time to shape up and get healthy then that is the first step already completed. Half the battle of losing weight is overcoming the mental obstacles so congratulations on making the initial decision! You may find that you need to remind yourself every day of your reasons for becoming healthy because the road to success in eating and exercise can sometimes be a long and hard one but it will absolutely be worth it. Keep your head in the game and stay strong!