There are some steps that you can take before you start your weight loss program that will help you be successful. Losing weight is not easy and anything you can do to help you achieve your goal, should be consider. Of course, the first step is to make the decision to lose weight. Thinking I want to lose weight is nice, but you need to really decide that this is what you want to do, and you will do the work needed to be successful. Consider inviting a friend to join you or at least getting an accountability body.
Losing weight is hard, especially after turning forty. But decide to learn as much as you can about nutrition and how your body works. But I am getting ahead of myself, once you make the decision to lose weight, define or find your “why”. Having a strong reason for wanting to lose weight will help you keep motivated. You need a strong motivator like family and friends to keep you motivated when you feel like you can not keep going and are ready to give up.
Patients with chronic illnesses like, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, heart disease and other diseases. These patients can really benefit from weight loss, but they also need to check with their doctors before starting any weight management program. Everyone needs to consult with your doctor before starting a weight loss program, you will need to know if you have any restrictions like amount of protein for kidney disease or fats for liver problems and any recommendations like water restrictions in heart failure.
While you’re talking to your doctor about losing weight, you may also want to ask about medications you may be taking that can lead to increase weight or make it hard for you to lose weight.
Medicines that can interfere with your weight loss efforts. This includes:
- antihistamines for allergies
- alpha or beta blockers for high blood pressure
- insulin or sulfonylureas for diabetes
- progestins for birth control
- tricyclic antidepressants for depression
- lithium for manic depression
- valproate for epilepsy
- neuroleptics for schizophrenia
Talk to your doctor about your medications, possibility of changing them or modifying the dose.
Here are other questions you can ask your doctor:
- Are there any risks to a weight loss plan?
- What weight loss goals should I make?
- What BMI should I aim for?
- What happens if I lose more than the recommended 2 lbs. per week?
- Should I take any supplements as part of my weight loss plan?
- Can you recommend a dietician?
Weight gain or inability to lose weight can also be due to medical conditions and you should also discuss these with your doctor, he may be able to help adjust your medical treatment to aid in your weight loss.
Here are some medical conditions that can interfere with your weight loss:
- Hormonal disorders
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Congestive heart disease
- Heart valve disorder
- Idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Sleep disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Upper airway respiratory syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Bulimia
- Carbohydrate craving syndrome.
We are all so different and unique, our lives, commitments, DNA and backgrounds are different, so we all lose weight differently. Some people like to have a slow weight and steady weight loss, while others like to have a way to get started with weight loss quickly as not to get discouraged. The diet or plan you choose should allow you to eat a variety of healthy foods like vegetables, limit preservatives or rely on simple sugar and caffeine for energy.
Make sure you hydrate well, keep a food diary, weight daily, reduce overall calories, reduce saturated fat and slowly add exercise into your routine. Don’t think of losing weight in terms of restrictions but rather in terms of getting healthy, fueling your body and feeling better which will lead to weight loss.
