Ready To Lose Weight? Here's Why You Should Enlist A Doctor's Help

Posted on: 30 April 2019

If you're looking in the mirror and resolving to shed those excess pounds by hook or by crook, stop and think carefully before diving into the world of do-it-yourself weight loss. What may seem like common-sense solutions or quick fixes can do more harm than good. Here are some sound reasons to look into medical weight loss treatment under the supervision of an experienced nutritionist or physician.

Your Own Fat Could Be Working Against You

Losing weight involves a lot more than just how much food you take in. If you curb your fat intake too dramatically, for example, your body may actually hang onto its current fat stores, stalling your attempt at weight loss. At the same time, fewer calories may mean less energy available for muscles. This change can encourage fatigue, a sedentary lifestyle, and muscle wasting. Since muscles are a primary burner of calories, your entire metabolic rate may slow down in response to a lessened demand for fuel. Medically-supervised weight loss programs typically include foods and supplements that boost your metabolism into a higher gear, allowing you to actually benefit from your modified diet.

Fad Diets Can Damage Your Health

It's all too easy to find countless "miracle diets" that claim to trigger profound weight loss in minimal time and with minimal effort. Beware of these claims. Much of the weight you lose may simply represent water loss, which in turn could mean dehydration and kidney problems. Others starve you by drastically limiting your food intake or range of foods, depriving your body the essential nutrients for healthy function and endangering your health. Last but not least, the benefits of these diets end the moment you stop following them. By contrast, a medical weight loss treatment program will emphasize healthy weight loss rates and balanced nutrition while also training you to adopt healthier eating habits for life.

You Need a Holistic Plan

Food intake is just one aspect of weight control. Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight level includes best practices such as exercise, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding unhealthy stress (which affects your appetite). A medically-supervised weight loss program will often take all of these factors into account by giving you a holistic weight management and wellness plan to follow.

You Might Need Medication or Even Surgery

Abnormal weight gain, or an inability to lose weight, may sometimes stem from an underlying health challenge such as hypothyroidism. Your doctor can perform a thorough evaluation to see whether you need medication or other forms of care alongside (or instead of) a weight loss plan. If you suffer from morbid obesity that doesn't respond to other methods, you may even benefit from weight loss surgery such as a gastric bypass. But only a medical professional can help you with these weight-related issues.

If you care enough about your body to commit to losing weight, then you'll care enough about it to pursue the safest and healthiest path to weight loss. Contact your local physician or medical weight loss clinic today to learn more!

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