10:33 by Unknown
Dieting is never easy. Some people have been on some kind of diet their entire life! I believe almost everyone has dieted at one time or another. The trouble with diets is that they usually fail or we gain the weight back within time. There are so many diets out there. There are huge book sections in the book stores and libraries. You can find so many diets and weight loss programs on the Internet that your head will swim! Every new diet to come out seems like it will be the "one" to finally help you to be the thin person you want to be, and it turns out to be just like all the others. Only now you've gotten your metabolism even more out of whack! So what do you do? Get more depressed and discouraged, right? Why can't we lose weight? Eating healthy, losing weight and keeping it off shouldn't be such a problem!
Everyone has a different personality and genetics, so one diet does not fit all, but how do you find the right weight loss program or diet for you? Trying each and every diet known to man and failing at each, throwing your metabolism off and getting depressed is not the answer. So what is the answer?
Start by thinking about your personality and who you are. Are you a very busy person? (Busy doesn't always mean active). Are you one who will stick to something once started or are you easily discouraged and quit? Do you like to cook and experiment with recipes or do you want it all laid out for you? Do you want meals that lots of time to prepare or quick to prepare and cook. Do you get bored eating the same things all the time and need variety? Do you have a lot of problem with cravings? Are you tempted to snack? Think about how you like to eat and prepare food and this will give you a clue as to the type of weight loss program that will work for you.
Personally, I like to have a diet-weight loss program where there is a variety of foods so I don't get bored and prepares and cooks quickly. I don't like to have to decide what to fix all the time, so I like a diet that tells me what to fix at each meal. Especially when starting out. After a while I can change it up more, but in the beginning I like it to be a "no brainer".
Each diet program has a "personality" too. You need to look for a good fit. We tend to just look to see if it works for others and hope it will work for us too. Or we just look to see if it is a low carb or a low-fat diet. Take the time to know who you are as a dieter and then look for the personality of the diet or weight loss plan. Make a list, if necessary, to better see what you should be look for in a diet.
Next, you should look for a diet or weight loss plan that is a life style change, not just a "diet". If your old way of eating worked for you, you'd be thin, right? So, you need to change the way you think about "dieting". You should go into "dieting" thinking this is a new start, a lifestyle change, a new way to eat forever. Look for a diet-weight loss program that has a long-term way of eating, not just a get thin quick diet and then go back to eating whatever you want, since that didn't work. You want to find a maintenance program where you don't feel deprived and can eat things from time to time that you want, but can go back to the stricter part of the diet easily when needed.
By richard jhonson
10:29 by Unknown
Over the net, there have been a lot of weight loss program that claims to that they could give you a slimmer body in a very short time. Most of these weight loss programs are focused on slashing fat on your diet. But fat is the important supplement that maintenance your body growth balance. Here are three of the best diet and weight loss programs that are on the internet.
First is the diet used by stars to lose weight. This is called the south beach diet. South beach diet was a creation of a group of cardiologist. This diet limits your intake of carbohydrates. It will start with a restrictive two weeks diet which they call induction phase and followed by the long term diet. Potatoes, bread, fruit, pasta, rice, beets, corn and carrots are not allowed in south beach diet most especially on induction phase. The consumption of animal fats is also banned. However this diet recommends intake of low sugar foods. And it allows those who adopt this diet to have snacks so that they will not crave for foods if they are already out of this diet program and also maintains your metabolism at high level.
One of the best diet and weight loss programs that are popular on internet is the Chef diet. This diet is usually popular in the market. It offers a balanced meal that includes protein, fat and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are still part of the menu since it is used for the body to perform daily routines. Chef diet gives wide ranges of food you can select from. You could have muffin and ham for breakfast and vegetables on lunch. And if you feel hungry there is also available variety of snacks you could choose from. Aside from a wide range of menu, you also need to exercise for a minimum of thirty minutes for best results.
And the third best diet and weight loss program that is a hit in the internet is the DietToGo. This diet helps you to lose weight in a minimum time. It offers three meal menus that include meal plans with low fat diet, vegetarian meal that is low fat and low carbohydrates plan. A menu in this diet plan is mainly low carbohydrates. You can also choose from available food menu that you can enjoy. The foods are prepared by a professional cook. A substitution list is also available if you don't like the foods on the main menu. This diet plan also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
By richard jhonson
10:24 by Unknown
Diets and weight loss seem to go hand and hand. A diet is usually the first thing that a person will turn to when it comes to losing weight. However, most people can maintain their current weight, or even loose weight, simply by learning to change their eating habits. This, in and of itself, is a form of a diet. However, opposed to traditional fad or crash diets, it can benefit your body in terms of health for the rest of your life. If you are a person who consumes food because of emotional or spiritual problems, then you need to have these issues addressed. You will be able to make very little progress with your weight loss if there is an underlying issue. Many people also eat when they are experiencing times of stress. You must learn to modify these habits also.
Various diets and weight loss programs promise a delivery of quick weight loss. However, most crash diets are unhealthy. They strip the body of water weight and muscle tissue. These are two key ingredients that the body needs when it comes to burning body fat. With a crash diet, you may see an initially large loss of weight on the outset. Your body will eventually send itself into starvation mode when it realizes it is not getting the appropriate amount of nutrients and food. With your metabolism in starvation mode, it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight. This is the point where most people abandon their diets altogether. In order to lose weight permanently, you must be prepared to modify your food intake.
If you intend to undertake diets and weight loss, you must take control of what you eat. While it may be tempting at a social function or group gathering, you do not have to lose your self discipline. You do not have to eat everything that is put in front of you. You must take responsibility when it comes to your food intake. Most foods are flavored with fat. People love fatty foods because of the flavor they have. With patience and effort, you can eventually modify your body's tastes, and this will lessen your cravings for such unhealthy foods.
You must understand one concept when it comes to diets and weight loss: It is OK for you to eat. You should never, ever skip a meal, especially breakfast. If you feel hungry between meals, let yourself have a healthy snack. This will stave off hunger pains, and it will prevent you from binge eating. During meals, make sure you eat slowly. This will allow your body to have time to digest your food. Your stomach will be able to tell you when you are full, and it will prevent you from eating more than you need. You should always consult your physician before you start any new diets and weight loss regime.
By richard jhonson
10:20 by Unknown
You might have heard about the banana diet and weight loss. It is true that this diet works. There are many considerations with this diet you should think about. Also, your diet will consist of more than just bananas. Follow this weight loss diet plan if you want to lose weight and have a healthier body.
Bananas are high in fiber and needed to regulate your body. Fiber is essential for your health. Bananas have a lot of potassium in them also. This type of potassium helps your body absorb and push salt through your body. This means you will have less inflammation when you eat bananas if you have a high salt intake. Bananas are very healthy for you which makes this diet a really good idea. You will lose body weight and get to the ideal size you wish you were at.
The first thing you need to consider when you are trying banana diet and weight loss is that you need to eat at least one or two bananas prior to each meal. If you only eat one meal a day you still need to eat three bananas a day, minimum. This is really easy to do and not hard to forget. So with this first rule, you will eat one or two bananas before breakfast, before lunch and before dinner.
When you are on this kind of diet and weight loss plans you are not restricted to eat specific meals. You don't need to be in fasting to lose weight. You can eat anything you want during each meal as long as you eat one or two bananas before each meal. It is common sense that you should eat healthy but if you want to eat a fast food meal and you just have to then eat two bananas before.
If you get sick of the taste of bananas because you are eating so many each day one thing to keep in mind is that there are other fruits you can use for natural weight loss supplement. However, you cannot supplement the fruits entirely but one during the day. For example, an apple can be substituted for one of your two bananas you are going to eat before breakfast and lunch. This won't do much for you but help your taste buds with the boredom of eating the same thing every day.
There is no guarantee to the amount of weight you can lose when you are on the banana diet. The banana diet is a very popular diet and well known around the nation. Many people claim to have great success with weight loss as others say it didn't work for them. This plan is not a quickest way to lose weight but it is an extremely healthy one.
If you are interested in a diet and weight loss plan that will allow you to eat what you want to you should try the banana diet. The only thing you need to do is eat a couple of bananas before each meal. Bananas are high in fiber and in potassium which are very healthy. Remember, this diet is not a guarantee you will lose a lot of weight or shed the pounds as quickly as you hope to.
By richard jhonson
10:15 by Unknown
Trust me you would go mad, almost on the verge of scratching your head when you go to the market in the hunt of a diet and weight loss product. And why not, as there are multiple options available for you to choose from, with one boasting things that others do not have. In such a situation, what can you do, apart from choosing one that comes first in your hand!
Well, that could still be the easiest solution, but please be advised that it is far from recommended. Here are some reasons why you should not choose a diet and weight loss product on the lines described above.
Everybody is different, and so is yours. Picking a product just because it worked for your friend does not mean it will work for you as well. If any, chances are that it could backfire on you.
Detoxification products are considered the best products that would take care of your weight loss ambitions. With that being said, anyone who has tried detox products would tell you that it is mighty difficult especially if you are a carnivore, and thrive on eating meat.
A diet and weight loss product often comes with a rider - You have to implement the product rigorously for days together. Missing the schedule even once could have the product go negative on results. Did you know about that before?
See, finding the right weight loss product is not a difficult task at all for you what with the market having loads of them. You could find them at one click of the mouse too. But the key is your body adapting to the diet and weight loss product. If the product is any different to what your body needs, trust your dreams of shedding excess pounds to go up in flames.
By richard jhonson
10:11 by Unknown
Losing weight can be extremely difficult and even painful, but each person determined to lose weight should collect some good tools for dieting and weight loss. There are many experts out there who have tools for dieting and weight loss that they share with the public in various ways, and these should help each person. The tools for dieting and weight loss are usually prescribed by doctors, nutritionists and physical trainers so these are most valuable. The experts commonly base their tools on scientific research and personal experience. Many of them have done a great deal of scientific research in addition to having an extensive personal experience.
Good tools for dieting and weight loss often make the process of losing weight easier and quicker. People can spend months dieting without losing a pound if they their methods are not containing effective strategies to reach their goals. The tools for dieting and weight loss are often available in ordinary books that people can find at the local library or bookstore or as e-books available on the internet. These books often offer diets and exercise plans that will help people lose weight and start a to lead a more healthy lifestyle.
People who have the intention of losing weight should listen to radio and television programs that provide tools for dieting and weight loss for their patrons. These programs often employ experts who talk about the tools for dieting and weight loss that are most useful. These people watch all the latest research reports from medical and training experts that show the best ways to lose weight. Many researchers study the success and failures of people trying to lose weight using various methods. They often collect the best reports to share with those watching or listening to certain programs.
Many of the experts will recommend the same tools for dieters. Something all dieters have heard about is to drink much water. Another 'truth' is to eat smaller portions of nutritious foods. Furthermore, people that want to lose weight should get plenty of exercise. We have also heard numerous experts telling us to write down everything we consume and check the number of calories in all of our meals each day. Avoid sweets in foods and drinks - no more sodas containing sugar is well known.
The point is however: If you follow follow these recommendations you will probably succeed. Among the good tools for dieting and weight loss, the simplest is the best.
By richard jhonson
10:08 by Unknown
Many people know that losing weight is not just about feeling fit and healthy, but a way of regaining the self- esteem many had before adding the extra weight. It's no wonder there are so many diet and weight loss pills on the market, most of them being over- the-counter drugs. Nevertheless, several queries have risen regarding these diet and weight loss products. Questions such as: Are these products safe? How effective are they? Does the product actually give you the looks you hoped for? Are herbal supplements a better alternative to traditional weight loss pills? If you have such as these, here are few tips about such products and what you should really expect from them.
Most well know weight loss products are available not only in local drug stores and supermarkets but you can also find them on the internet as well. Many of these products are very effective, helping a lot of people get rid stubborn belly fat. Though this may sound good to many, there are still high risk involved that consumers are unaware of. The regular buyer may check the compounds in a dietary supplement he or she may buy, but among the twenty or so herbs, vitamins and laxatives, it is hard to differentiate what is good or harmful to your body. There are two ways to avoid buying poor quality weight loss products. You can either talk to your physician or check for the medical authority approval of the product. For instance, all supplements and drugs issued in the U.S. should carry an FDA authorization.
Here is another pertinent example of how some diet and weight loss products may do more harm than good. For instance, the former compound ephedra, which was the basis for many weight loss pills were withdrawn from the market because of the health concerns it raised, and it was soon replaced with the "magic" ingredient: bitter orange. You now see many weight loss products now that say: ephedra-free, which is by far a great thing, but they may contain a higher amount of bitter orange than is safe for the body. Bitter orange in high dosage may cause arrhythmias, increased blood pressure, or can even inhibit the body's metabolism. This is why advice from your physician is needed in such cases. It may not be wise to start a pill-based diet without first asking for your doctor's opinion.
With that being said not all popular weight loss supplements are bad, there are also completely risk-free dietary supplements that adjust well to the body's requirements. For example the diet and weight loss products based on green tea extract combined with ginseng root have proved a huge success on the market. The green tea extract acts as a laxative and antioxidant, stimulating the body's natural metabolism, whereas the ginseng root provides the right nutrient and mineral vitality. In the same category we could range weight loss products based on seaweed such as chlorella or spirulin that are excellent tonics and great fat burners. Just remember when starting a pill-based diet, the more natural it's composition, the more healthier you will be!
By richard jhonson
10:04 by Unknown
Do you know diets and weight loss secrets that can really make you lose weight fast? You are really serious about losing weight fast, and it seems like ages now since you embraced your weight loss diet. But it's not yielding any significant result, and you now find yourself on the brink of frustration. If this is really the case, it is time you sat back and investigated the reasons behind your poor results. Chances are that some of these bad habits have sneaked in and are disrupting your weight loss efforts.
1. Diet Traps
I won't be surprised if you have fallen for one of these, considering the number of weight loss myths going about without knowing diets and weight loss secrets. One of the most common commercial tactics to appeal to dieters is manufacturing fat-free foods. You will see it on cookie boxes, jars of dressings and jams, and even ice-creams. What you need to realize is that losing weight fast does not involve cutting fat from your diet. What you need, instead, is to cut calories. However, to compensate for the lack of taste, when the fat is omitted, manufacturers load their products with flavored syrups, sugar, salt or starch. So, what you get at the end of the day is empty calories, which is counter-productive to your weight loss efforts.
Another diets and weight loss secrets you should know is that there are other common 'weight loss' food categories that people tend to fall for are flavored, fat-free yogurt and fruit juices. Both these may involve high quantities of added sugars, which end up packing you with calories, without making you feel full or satisfied. While 100% fruit juices are a lot healthier, they too contain none of the fiber of whole fruit, and therefore can't make you feel satisfied. If you want to make a low-fat yogurt a part of your weight loss diet, get one which is also low in added sugar and calories.
2. Eating For Reasons Other Than Hunger
We all do this every now and then, some more than others. The problem is that if you get caught in the 'comfort food' trap every time you are feeling stressed or are dealing with loneliness or emotional pressure, it won't do your weight loss efforts any favors, and you will only end up compounding your guilt. Of course, no one picks up a light salad when they are stressed! Try something different the next time you are really stressed, rather that rushing to your favorite hamburger joint or ice-cream parlor. Exercise is a far more productive way of relieving stress. You don't have to pump iron in a gym. Simply go out for a walk to a nice place, do yoga, or even a little bit of meditation will help.
3. A Large Dinner
So you stay committed to a strict diet all day long, and anxious to avoid junk snacks and meals, you end up eating a meal or two less during your busy day. The inevitable consequence: a large dinner. However, night-time is the worst time to pack in the calories, and it can completely destroy your weight loss efforts. It is when your body is preparing to sleep and the last thing it needs is excess food. Also, a large dinner can affect the quality of your sleep negatively, and if your body is not well rested, your metabolism slows down. If you are serious about losing weight fast, you should eat frequently during the day (at least 4-5 times) and have a light dinner.
By richard jhonson
10:00 by Unknown
When it comes to the idea of dieting and weight loss the reason for most people is to look good, but the most important reason for others is to be more healthy. When it comes to weight loss one of the most important things that you should keep in mind is at least 80% is based on lifestyle change. Change is something that becomes difficult for many, so before you take this on remember that it to time for you to put on the weight, and it will take some time to lose the weight.
There is a lot of information being put out there as far as dieting and weight loss, at times you really don't know what to believe, so it is best to obtain a resource or program that has a nutritionist as part of the team, you really want to approach weight loss safely, a nutritionist has the knowledge to guide you as far as the types of foods to eat,,the portion size, and the amount of daily calories to take in as well. This approach will help you lose weight the right way.
Nutrition is just one part of dieting and weight loss, another part of the equation is super hydration, and that is water intake. Drinking water is very beneficial because it helps to distribute nutrients through you body, and also it helps you feel full. Water is very good for you eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day is the rule of thumb.
When dieting it is best to stay clear of restaurants, it really boggles the mind at the portions that restaurants give you in their dishes, most people end up cleaning their plates, but in reality the number of calories they take in is over the daily limit, this will cause more weight gain for sure, and for those that eat out on a regular basis that just is not the way to go if you really are serious about losing weight. Also buffets should be avoided as well, all you can eat should not be a part of your vocabulary.
When it comes to weight loss a health amount of weight to lose per week is about 2 lbs as a rule, some people think that by skipping meals that they could lose even more, but that can be a big mistake due to the fact that it may put your body into starvation mode, thus your body will hold onto the weight as an energy source. This is not the direction you want to go into.
It is best to approach weight loss and dieting the right way, and stick to the program that your nutritionist set-up for you, he or she also may incorporate exercise for the best results. The type of exercise may be just a brisk walking program. Dieting, and water is good, but by adding exercise you can increase your weight loss efforts. At first you may not be able to do a brisk walk, just by getting out and walking even for 20-30 minutes you will get some great results. Dieting and weight loss go hand, and hand, with the right weight loss guidelines, and if you do your part to the letter, you will achieve the goal that you desire.
by richard jhonson
09:45 by Unknown
Losing weight can be a tricky and difficult process for many. There are so many dieting and weight loss products on the market today, how do we know what really works? The best thing you can do for yourself is to take a realistic approach when looking for that perfect diet.
Drastic diets might seem appealing; lose 10 pounds in seven days or less. Honestly do you really want to approach dieting and weight loss this way? In order to lose weight and to keep it off, you first need to change your lifestyle habits. Before you can do this successfully, you must understand what it was that caused you to gain weight in the first place.
Identifying the cause of your weight gain can be difficult. This is the time when you have to be brutally honest with yourself. Was it just a matter of over eating, or were you emotionally upset? No matter what the cause, first you must uncover it then you can deal with the reality of it.
If you gained weight due to lack of exercise and just eating too much, then these are the two areas which can be dealt with quickly. First, you will want to cut back on calories and secondly, begin an exercise program.
A great suggestion is to start keeping a food diary, this way you can count your calories and see what you are eating. It is so easy to consume more calories than we actually require each day. Keeping track of your foods allows you to see what you are really eating, making adjustments as necessary.
By consuming 500 calories less each day you can easily lose one pound per week. Doctors recommend losing 2-3 pounds per week. This way you are less likely to regain your weight.
When you first start your new diet or healthy eating plan you might see a fast weight loss. This is due to excess water and fluids which have been retained in your body. By switching to healthy, fresh foods you are ridding your body of unwanted toxins.
Try to prepare smaller portions of food, and use fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. By eating fresh fruits as opposed to drinking fruit juice, you will stay fuller during the day, reducing your cravings for a snack during the day.
The second component of your dieting and weight loss method is to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine. This doesn't have to include going to the gym or any huge changes. Instead, attempt to add some extra walking into your lifestyle. Try to park at the back when you go to the grocery store, take the stairs at the mall, walk to the mail box every day. All these small things will aid you in burning calories and ultimately shedding pounds.
There is no quick fix for dieting and weight loss, it is going to take a sensible eating plan along with regular activity to produce the type of results you are hoping for. It took months or years to gain all that weight, it will take a while to lose it too.
By richard jhonson
09:34 by Unknown
Dropping the extra pounds and getting back to a healthier you are the key features one looks for in a weight loss pill. If only it were that easy. In recent years the market has become overly saturated, making the quest for finding the diet pill that's right for you a difficult task. So how do you determine which supplement is right for you? Below I have outlined some tips to help you find the best weight loss diet pill supplements to help you achieve your goals.
Always Read The Reviews
Reading reviews and hearing what others have to say about a product is the first step you should take. There are many excellent websites that provide information about the latest diet pills on the market, including what you can expect from the ingredient lists and whether the company provides clinical research and customer testimonials to back up their claims. When reading reviews look for common characteristics among the different diet pill brands, this will help you in making an educated decision as to which product to consider.
Do Not Overlook The Ingredient Lists
When looking for the best diet and weight loss pills there are two compelling reasons to read ingredients lists word for word. What you are looking for are proven fat burners and appetite suppressants that will help you successfully achieve your weight loss goals. You want to make sure that the key ingredients have enough "oomph" to be effective. Another reason for reading the ingredients list is to check if there are any substances that might be harmful to you in terms of interactions with other drugs or medical conditions or allergic reactions you may have. If you are unsure of an ingredient, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using. If a company doesn't provide a complete ingredient list, it is not the best weight diet loss pill for you.
Read Customer Testimonials From More Than One Site
Like a TV infomercial, some customer testimonials seem so rehearsed it's hard to figure which way is up. Remember, customer testimonials do not need to come from the company and product websites. You can also find them on a variety of websites like diet blogs or online retailers that add customer reviews to their product descriptions. If you cannot find any customer testimonials for a given product don't buy it.
A weight loss diet supplement may be just what you need to get you over the hump and on the road to achieving your weight loss goal. Finding the right weight loss diet pill involves doing a little homework. It is your health that is at stake so find out everything you can about the product through reviews, ingredient lists and customer testimonials. Your reward for the work you put in will show in the pounds that you drop.
by richard jhonson
09:26 by Unknown
If you are trying to weight loss, then you must have thought about finding the best weight loss diet out there. It's true that fat loss diets are useful to boost your effort to lose weight if they are prepared properly. In this article, you will find the advantages and disadvantages of such diets and how to take them into your weight loss cause.
Properly prepared, weight loss diets can help you lose weight fast with much less to do on your part. Everyone wants to lose weight and keep the fat away by making as little effort as possible. To be hones, diet can do that for you. But to prepare the effective diet for weight loss, you need to educate yourself about nutrition. You will have to know what kind of foods you need to buy and what kind of recipes that you should use to cook them. But with the help of some effective diet programs, you don't need to learn those things. All you have to do is to do what you are told to do and prepare the foods with the recipes provided.
Although weigh loss diets work, you should not depend totally on them if you want to lose weight and keep fit at the same time. Exercises are necessary when it comes to lose weight in a healthy way. And you can even succeed in losing a lot of fat with exercising only. Now that you know that, it will help you to understand the requirement for persistence as far as fat loss diets are concerned.
You want the fats to stay away as long as possible. And it would be best if they will never come back. So the diet that you use to lose weight should be something that you can live on for the remainder of your life. That is to say, you should not make too much change to what you are currently eating everyday. Or you can train yourself to love the diet that you are going to use for the rest of your life.
As you can see, diet is a double-edged sword for weight loss. Now that you know the relationship between diet and weight loss, you will know what is the best thing for you when it comes to weight loss diets.
By richard jhonson
15:12 by Unknown
For severely overweight individuals that have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery has become the safest and most effective means of achieving significant weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that with diet and exercise alone, nearly 95% of obese patients will gain all the lost weight back within 5 years. On the other hand, long-term success rates for weight-loss surgery - including the LAP-BAND procedure - are remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50-70% of their excess body weight. Though there are many factors that can impact an individual patient's weight-loss success, weight-loss surgery is simply the most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for severely obese patients.
Studies show that most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first three years following their procedure. Those that undergo gastric bypass surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than those that choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically experience a greater number of complications and side effects than LAP-BAND patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural long-term weight loss.
From a clinical perspective, a weight-loss surgery is considered successful when the patient loses at least 50% of their excess body weight and keeps the weight off for at least five years. While important lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that the weight loss is maintained in the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients are able to maintain a 50-60% loss of excess body weight 10 years after the surgical procedure. However, it is important to note that a weight loss of just 10% of total body weight can begin to have POSITIVE health effects in resolution of obesity-related condition like asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and diabetes. As weight-loss surgery is usually performed on patients that are at least 75-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 with a health condition, overall weight loss can range anywhere from 40 pounds to over 100 pounds. But the patient is really the leader behind achieving these results.
While patients will certainly look and feel better after weight-loss surgery, there are also numerous health benefits ASSOCIATED with successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a result of excessive body weight or are worsened by obesity can be improved upon or, in some cases, remedied by weight-loss surgery.
But there are other ways to measuring success with weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System. For instance, many weight loss surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform certain activities that may not have been possible for a number of years, like crossing their legs, bending over to tie a show, walking up stairs without being easily winded or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.
While most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery experience incredibly POSITIVE results, there are many factors that can impact the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment. Here are some important factors to consider as you try to determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.
Pre-surgery Weight
Generally speaking, the higher a patient's pre-surgery weight or BMI, the more excess weight the patient can lose after surgery. However, recipients of weight-loss surgery with less excess body weight will eventually come closer to their ideal weight when committed to long-term diet and exercise. Also, resolution or improvement in obesity-related diseases can occur with even moderate amounts of weight. Often many diseases can become closer to cured than improved with earlier intervention at a lower weight.
Overall Health
While pre-existing health conditions can impact the overall success of weight-loss surgery (for instance, patients with type 2 Diabetes typically lose less excess body weight after surgery), studies have shown that many ailments linked to obesity are either improved upon or fall into remission after a successful procedure. For instance, a 2000 study performed on 500 weight loss surgery patients showed that nearly 96% of health conditions ASSOCIATED with obesity - such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, back pain and diabetes - improved greatly following loss of excess weight and long-term commitment to diet and exercise.
Surgical Procedure
As there are potential risks and complications ASSOCIATED with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.
Diet and Exercise
As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.
Commitment
The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight MANAGEMENT.
Motivation
Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight. Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay motivated.
Support
As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends and coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support NETWORK - including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy eating.
Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy many health concerns, but also improve an individual's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and keeping the weight off.
BY RICHARD JHONSON
