Wise Weight Loss

Weight Management — Weight Loss
Wise Weight Loss
Kim Edmundson, R.N.C.P., R.h.A.

As we celebrate the holidays, many of us will probably partake in a little too much good food, and decide in January that we need to lose weight.

For some people, that might be as easy as watching what they eat for a few weeks, and the extra pounds will come off easily. For others, however, it may be a little more difficult. You may be one of those people who have consciously decided to lose weight many times, only to gain it all back, plus more, once you are no longer on “the diet”.

There are many different types of “diets” that one can follow to lose weight. Most of them work while you are following the plan very closely. The problem is that once you stop following the plan, the weight comes back.

A better solution is to make gradual positive, healthy, lifestyle changes that you can live with forever. These changes will positively impact your weight, as well as your overall health and well-being.

How does one begin to make lifestyle changes? You may wish to start by compiling a daily journal for a seven day period, keeping track of your dietary intake, how much time you spend exercising, working, watching TV, playing on the computer and sleeping every day, as well as how you feel each day. Once your journal is complete, you might be surprised at the results: this exercise alone may be enough for you to see exactly where you need to start making lifestyle changes. Ask yourself what you would need to do in order to feel better each day.

Change can be difficult because we are creatures of habit. Start by changing one or two things at a time, and do them until they truly become habits. Once you are successful with a couple of things, change another habit or two.

Some new habits that one may consider adopting are:

• Drinking more water

• Trying a new vegetable every week

• Buying new cookbooks that use fresh, whole ingredients and using them to cook at home more often

• Not eating at fast food restaurants

• Reading food labels and not consuming products containing aspartame, MSG, nitrates, food dyes, hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and other chemicals

• Eating less food from cans and cardboard boxes

• Eating less white foods (sugar, wheat, potatoes)

• Eating in a relaxed environment while enjoying what you are eating

• Exercising more

• Finding positive ways to reduce or deal with stress in your life. Stress is a major cause of weight gain, and can prevent weight loss.

Other factors that can inhibit weight loss, and should be considered if you are having trouble losing weight, include:

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Liver toxicity

• Candida albicans

• Parasites

• Allergies

• Hormone imbalances.

If you think that you suffer from any of these conditions, please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.

Overall, continue to make gradual positive lifestyle changes day by day, and don’t ever give up!