Why Is Loosing Weight so Important?
Before we start discussing the importance of weight loss, here are a few trivia about obesity that you must know:
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Number of Americans belonging to the overweight category has touched almost 140 million. Among them, about 66 millions are obese!
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As per the National Institutes of Health recommendations, a person carrying 20% extra weight than the standard body weight is considered overweight.
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Two of the commonest diseases associated with obesity are heart disorders and stroke. Other ailments, directly or indirectly linked with obesity are diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, acid reflux, insomnia infertility and certain types of cancer.
The above facts clearly show the importance of losing weight. There was a time when obesity was considered one of the lifestyle induced problems in affluent countries. With time it has emerged as a prevailing disorder in all parts of the world irrespective of a country's socio-economic status. Also excess weight gain is no more limited in adults. Kids too are largely affected by the condition. Sedentary lifestyle, reduced activity level and unhealthy food habits are three core causes behind weight gain.
Obesity brings along a number of fatal risk factors of which some could be life-threatening. Increased blood cholesterol level triggers arterial blockages causing heart attacks and even brain hemorrhages. Diabetes is another immediate effect of weight gain and high blood sugar levels can cause renal failure, loss of eyesight and DEATH! If an individual is particularly suffering from certain medical conditions like sleep apnea, asthma or shortness of breath, obesity might aggravate the existing condition.
Are you already overweight and scaring to read further? Well, we do not mean to scare you; instead we want you to understand how important it is to be in shape. It is not just about flaunting a sexy dress. It is about being in good health to enjoy life to its fullest. As you lose the extra pounds from your body, you seem to become much fit and active. Pay attention to your EXTRA WEIGHT and make sure your tummy doest not bulge out from the clothes raising an alarm for morbid OBESITY!
Height & Weight Measurement
Sometimes people complain- My brother eats 3 eggs a day and still weighs 150 lbs wherein I eat only two eggs and weight 20 lbs more than him...how is this possible! Well, the point is you forgot to mention the height of both your brother and you; possibly because you are not aware of the fact that height and weight are closely associated with each other. The standard or acceptable weight range is different for varying heights. To know what your optimum weight should be, you need a BMI calculator or height-weight chart.
Height and weight measurement charts are available for different age groups- adults, adolescents, children and infants. The charts feature Ideal Body Weight for specific heights, body frames and health conditions. Now you cannot decide on the standard weight using a regular height-weight chart for pregnant women! Also the chart shows different reference values for men and women.
Why do you need height and weight measurement charts?
Following are the utilities of the charts:
- Helps to know Ideal body weight for particular heights.
- Allows you to figure out your current health condition- normal, overweight or obese.
- Tables are created on the statistical and medical data obtained by National Centre for Health Statistics.
- You can determine your body frame size referring to these charts.
Although these are few common facts that you can understand using a regular height-weight table, there are certain things for which you might need a personalized analysis of height, weight and body composition. Some people who seem to be overweight as per their height standards might have a unique composition which is the reason behind the extra weight! For example athletes often have high BMI owing to the huge muscle mass in their body. But for normal people such high ranges of BMI could be fatal.
To get the best and accurate height and weight measurements, you should choose tables that are certified by the medical authorities. But when it comes to concluding the health condition or taking remedies, seeking assistance from a nutritionist or physician seems to be the best idea!
Diet to Lose Weight Fast
DIETING....the word often seems nightmarish to people who loves to eat and have become overweight as a result. But then again crash dieting is possibly one of the most practiced ways to lose weight. There are countless diet plans and tips for you to choose from. But one mistake that almost all dieters commit is choosing a diet program randomly without understanding its effects of his or her particular body type.
Every human body is different from the other in composition; hence the weight loss diet should be personalized in order to get desired results. Also a diet without a drop of fat or carbohydrate is not at all healthy for an individual's overall wellbeing. So it's not the 'dieting' that helps you lose weight, but it is a balanced diet that help is ideal weight management.
Which diet can actually help in weight loss?
As discussed above there is no one diet plan that will suit everyone. Also in diet induced weight loss there is no short cut. You have to adhere with a balanced and nutritious diet lifelong (occasional eat-outs and exceptions are allowed though) to retain a good shape. It is wise to get a custom-made diet plan from a nutritionist. Some of the online resources also offer the same.
Following are some standard diet plans which are reasonable enough so that you can continue with them for an extended period of time:
1800 Calorie diet: The 1800 Calorie diet is ideal for men and women with a bit extra heavy stature. The diet features a balanced combination of protein and complex carbohydrates that effectively burns off the excess body fat. It allows the dieter to eat at least 5 times a day in smaller portions.
Suggested Menu:
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Oatmeal for breakfast
- Sweet potato with milk or protein shake in the mid-morning
- Vegetable salad and chicken breasts for lunch;
- Choice of veggies, turkey or chicken and beans for dinner.
1200 calorie diet: The 1200 calorie diet is meant for dieters who are obese and need to lose few pounds at the earliest. The aim of this diet is to increase rate of metabolism for faster fat burning. The diets strongly oppose skipping meals. Instead it recommends counting calories for each portion you consume.
Suggested Menu:
- Oatmeal, Protein shake and egg whites (3) for breakfast
- Chicken and veggie salad for mid-morning and afternoon snacks
- 1 helping of tuna or chicken, veggie soup and yoghurt
- Fresh or frozen vegetables, soup and chicken steak (1 serving)
