Slim for summer

Losing weight, Overweight, Physical activity, Diet programmes

Heading towards the Summer feels like the right time for many people to improve their diet and try to lose weight. The longer warmer days remind us that we can no longer hide behind big woolly jumpers and coats, and the improved weather (hopefully!) makes it seem more appealing to get outside and exercise and to eat ‘lighter’ foods such as salads.

There are lots of reasons for people who are overweight or obese to lose weight; to be healthier, to look better, to feel better or perhaps to have more energy. More than half of all adults in the UK are heavier than recommended. About 2 in 5 adults are overweight, and about a further 1 in 5 are obese. The number of obese people in the UK is rising, since 1980, the number of obese adults in the UK has nearly tripled and this is now being referred to as the ‘obesity epidemic’.

If you are overweight, the benefits of losing that extra weight are more than just appearance; your health may depend on it. Being overweight can put you at risk of many health related conditions such as degenerative diseases and joint problems.
Being overweight can also impact your mental health lowering your self esteem and causing anxiety and depression. These are often difficult issues to deal with in themselves and lowered confidence as a result of being overweight makes it hard to break the cycle.

Successful Weight Loss

What you weigh is the result of several factors:

how much and what kinds of food you eat
whether your lifestyle includes regular physical activity
whether you use food to respond to stress and other situations in your life
your age and health (both physical and mental)

But causes of being overweight are not always as obvious as you might think; a slow metabolism, underactive thyroid gland and some medications can also increase some individual’s propensity to gain weight.

No matter what the cause, successful weight loss and healthy weight management depend on sensible goals and expectations. In fact, losing even five to 10 percent of your weight is the kind of goal that can help improve your health.

Successful weight loss and weight management should address the causes as much as possible. And that’s the reason to ignore products and diets that promise quick and easy results, or that promise permanent results without permanent changes in your lifestyle. Any advertisement that says you can lose weight without lowering your calorie intake and/or increasing your physical activity is selling fantasy and false hope. This includes crash diets based on certain types read more