Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Healthy methods of achieving Rapid Weight Loss

By Andrea M.

There are a growing number of overweight people in the U.S. Almost 2/3 of all Americans are significantly overweight with obesity affecting nearly half. More attention is being turned toward this problem and related conditions it can cause. As this happens, people are searching for ways to lose the extra weight quickly. Rapid weight loss is not always the best method of losing weight. There are, however, some medically approved methods for achieving fast weight loss.

Visiting one's family doctor is the logical first step toward beginning a safe program of rapid weight loss. He can make suggestions and give information about different procedures and products that are available to help those who are significantly overweight to achieve rapid weight loss with complicating other health issues. He will also recommend specific diet changes and a personalized exercise regimen to begin during this visit.

The doctor may suggest certain procedures including gastric bypass surgery, liposuction, or a Lap Band for consideration along with other surgeries to relieve morbid obesity. These procedures will generally produce fast weight loss, but each one carries its own risks as well as benefits. Discussing the options with the doctor and deciding if the benefits outweigh the risks is important to the decision making process.

Certain OTC (over the counter) medications are marketed as a means to help one lose weight. Most of these medications work by suppressing one's appetite. A great deal of care and consideration should go into any choice to use these medications because there is a significant risk of side effects. Appetite suppressant medications are not generally recommended for rapid weight loss.

Many people share the misconception that dieting to achieve fast weight loss involves starving themselves. The truth is quite the opposite. Starving oneself to lose weight often backfires, causing more harm than good. If the body senses that it is being deprived of food, it starts to produce certain hormones that break down the bodies own tissues for protein and energy while it stores the calories consumed as fat against future need.

The proper method of dieting to achieve rapid weight loss involves making changes to one's eating habits without depriving the body of needed nutrients. Eating 4 to 5 small meals spread out through a day instead of 3 large meals is one step. Portion control is a critical element of dieting for fast weight loss. Eat enough to sustain the body without over eating. Replacing many of the high fat, high calorie foods common in most of our diets with more vegetables and fruits, cutting back on the amount of red meat in the diet, and limiting starches will reduce the caloric intake of the body significantly while leaving a volume of food available that will leave one feeling full.

Of course, exercise is also a critical step in rapid weight loss programs. The doctor will generally outline an exercise regimen designed to burn more calories than are consumed without stressing parts of the body that are not yet able to withstand added strain. As the weight comes off, the exercises will become more intense, leading to faster weight loss yet. - 16928

About the Author:

0 comments: