Treatment options for anyone who’s overweight
Before deciding how to tackle your weight loss, you first need to set a goal.
To determine your weight-loss needs, you can calculate your BMI (body mass index) based on your current weight and height using an online BMI calculator or by referring to a BMI chart. An underweight person has a BMI below 18.5, a person at a healthy weight has a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, an overweight person has a BMI between 25 and 29.9, and an obese person has a BMI of 30 or more.
Once you know the amount of weight you need to lose, you’ll want to determine the causes of why you’ve been carrying around that extra baggage. It could be due to a high-fat, sugary diet full of processed foods, overeating, genetics or lack of exercise. Be honest with yourself, and if you suspect a thyroid disorder, insulin resistance or possible food allergy to be part of the problem, see your doctor to get a diagnosis.
The next step is to assess your personality. Everyone is different. There is no one-size-fits-all plan, and since you are trying to get away from that T-shirt size, you should take this step seriously. You will have the most success when you follow the weight-loss plan that’s best for you.
The most tried and true treatment option is to count calories and exercise more. This option works well for the self-driven, more independent type. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, active women trying to lose weight should eat about 1,500 calories per day and men should eat about 1800 calories. You should also do 200 minutes of cardio per week and strength train two to three times per week in order to speed up your metabolism. Join a gym to figure out which exercises you like best, or consult a nutritionist and personal trainer to get all the stats on what to eat, when, and how much to exercise for optimal results.
Another treatment option is to join a weight-loss group. This is a good option if you’d like extra motivation and guidance through the process. There are many groups and plans to choose from, all of which provide a coach and support team to keep you on track while reexamining the way you look at food. Some weight-loss plans come with food and exercise calculators, recipe books and guides for eating out, whereas others include a convenient food ordering service to take the guess work out of grocery shopping for the super-busy.
If you want a more natural approach to weight loss, you might consider naturopathic options. Naturopathic medicine is a type of treatment that comes from the belief that our bodies naturally want to heal. This type of medicine focuses on treating the whole person — physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, sexual and spiritual. Treatment options include hydrology, acupuncture, fasting, supplementation and other dietary considerations.
Surgery is usually recommended only after you’ve exhausted all other treatment options. The most common operations are vertical banded gastroplasty and gastric bypass, both of which reduce stomach volume for life. Usually, supplements and vitamins must be taken as part of your regular diet after these procedures so that nutrient deficiencies don’t occur.
As you embark on your weight loss journey, keep in mind that there’s no perfect treatment plan for everyone. Pick the treatment option that appeals most to you, and if you find that it isn’t meeting your expectations, switch to another option until you find the one that makes you healthy.