Amazing Ways to Reduce Weight

A proper body weight is most conducive to good health. Deviations of body weight beyond certain limits from the normal are not only detrimental to health but also predispose to many other disorders. Body weight includes the weight of bones, muscles, organs, body tissues and adipose tissue. Several neural, hormonal and chemical mechanisms maintain the body weight by keeping a balance between energy intake and expenditure. Weight fluctuations occur due to abnormalities in these mechanisms. While the excess body weight is confronting more and more people in the prosperous communities, underweight mainly related to undernutrition is not only rampant in the less privileged sections of the society but also occur as a result of eating disorders or psychological problems.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder these days in many countries. It is a state of excess accumulation of fat in the body. In clinical terms it is a condition of excess body weight or when a person is 20 percent or more than the ideal body weight. Most of the people especially the youngsters are suffering from this problem at an alarming rate. This is mainly due to the increase in the consumption of fast food and almost no physical exercises. Children are more fascinated towards the various fast food outlets which are opened in their countries. They find that sticky, more calorie rich and most probably improperly prepared food more tempting as compared to simple homemade food. But, this has adverse effects on the health of an individual and can aggravate if not dealt properly.

Now, when confronted with the question of how to lose excess weight, the answer given may be as simple as reversing the process by which it has gained. This, however, is not that simple because a number of factors influence the energy balance of the body. Researches have found that what we eat is equally important to how much of it we eat. It is difficult to know exactly as to how many calories are being consumed and how many are actually being "burnt". Moreover some persons have more metabolic efficiency and so ‘burn’ food more easily than others. Such individuals eat more and yet may not put on weight. There are others who just cannot lose weight in spite of consistent efforts. The popular belief, therefore, that all obese are heavy eaters, lazy or neurotic is not true.

But I, truly believe that everything is possible in this world so why not ‘losing weight’. It just needs a dedicated and a patient heart. The objective of dietary modification in the treatment of obesity should not be only weight loss but weight management defined as the best weight possible in the context of overall health. Achieving an ideal body weight is not always realistic. But through our efforts we can do that too. Basically our goal should be:

• To bring about a gradual weight loss
• To maintain a good nutritional status
• To bring about lifestyle modifications so as to maintain desirable body weight

These weight loss results can be achieved by following simple methods on daily basis:

• Limit the intake of rich carbohydrate foods.
• Set short term goals for yourselves which are possible.
• Take more fibre rich diet which includes the intake of fruits and green leafy vegetables.
• Moderate amount of good fat-the kind in nuts and oils has weight loss advantages too.
• Restriction of sodium as common salt is helpful in weight reducing diet as excess sodium predisposes to retention of fluid.
• Intake of fluids should be high.
• Avoid binges. Adjust other meals of the day or of next day accordingly.
• Lifestyle modification is most important thing. Self maintaining and self discipline are required to exercise control and bring about behaviour modification.
• Exercise is must to reduce as well as to maintain weight. Increase in physical activity improves HDL levels.
• Avoid following a crash and a hard core diet as it increases obesity.
• Stay away from consumption of any type of drugs to lose weight easily.
• Consume food in measured amounts.

By following a weight loss diet we can live a better life. A steady weight over a period of time helps utilization of body fat stores and at the same time prevents the loss of proteins. The positive weight loss technique helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Moreover, obese people are sure to suffer from knee pain because of excessive weight. Thus, it is necessary to take note of one’s own body and undertake steps to treat any flaw. I would like to conclude it by a famous proverb with which we are familiar:

"A healthy mind resides in a healthy body"

I am a Health Writer and Researcher with focus on Women`s Health. I write on most of the topics related to Women`s Health, Public Health, Healthcare, etc.