Why Lose Weight?
Obesity has become a serious health problem in the United States (US): nearly 35% of Americans have obesity. Obesity is not just a problem of “girth control”; it is now in the list of chronic diseases by the American Medical Association, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
It is, in fact, a national epidemic according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And it is not just a weight problem; it can have serious effects on a person’s physical, metabolic and psychological health.
How to Get Healthier?
If you’re extremely obese, taking action to lose weight and improve your health may seem overwhelming. You may have had trouble losing weight or maintaining your weight loss, been diagnosed with medical problems and endured the social stigma of obesity.
“The key to getting started is to find a compassionate doctor with expertise in treating extreme obesity,” said Dr. Eckel, who is also professor of medicine and Charles A. Boettcher II Chair in Atherosclerosis at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo. “Bonding with your physician is the best way to get past first base and on the path to better health.”
If you’re extremely obese, Dr. Eckel recommends that you become more active, but not to start a vigorous workout program without getting physician advice and not until you’ve lost about 10 percent of your body weight.
“You can continue the level of physical activity that you’re already doing, but check with your physician before increasing it,” Dr. Eckel said. “Some people with extreme obesity may have health issues like arthritis or heart disease that could limit or even get worse by exercise.”
Treatment Options
Talk to your doctor about the health benefits and the risks of treatment options for extreme obesity:
- Change your diet. You may be referred to a dietician who can help you with a plan to lose one to two pounds per week. To lose weight, you have to reduce the number of calories you consume. Start by tracking everything you eat. “You have to become a good record-keeper,” Dr. Eckel said. “Reduce calories by 500 calories per day to lose about a one pound a week, or cut 1,000 calories a day to lose about two pounds a week.” For better results, you can choose keto diet, which takes strict intakes of carbs, fats as well as persistance.
- Consider adding physical activity after reaching a minimum of 10 percent weight-loss goal.
- Medication, Shark tank keto diet. Some people can benefit from medication to help with weight loss for extreme obesity. Keep in mind that medication can be expensive and have side effects. Here are some shark tank keto diet pills you can choose, luxe keto gummies, lifetime keto acv gummies, etc.
- Surgery. If changing your diet, getting more physical activity and taking medication haven’t helped you lose enough weight, bariatric or “metabolic” surgery may be an option. The American Heart Association recommends surgery for those who are healthy enough for the procedure and have been unsuccessful with lifestyle changes and medication. Risks can include infections and potentially dangerous blood clots soon after the operation, and concerns about getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals long-term.