Weight Loss Options
For most people who are overweight or obese, the simplest and most effective way to shed the pounds is eating less and exercising more. There are other options, too, such as medications or bariatric surgery. Here are the most commonly used ways to lose weight:
Dieting
Some people will try the ‘hottest’ new fad diet – such as the South Beach method. Others stick with Weight Watchers, calorie counting, or another ‘tried and true’ method. By decreasing your daily intake by 500 calories per day, you will lose about a pound every week. Whatever your diet plan, studies have shown that successful diets only work if they can be sustained after you’ve lose the weight. Going on a ‘crash diet’ that can’t be maintained over time will not work, since most people will gain all the weight back once they stop dieting.
If you’re concerned about planning a diet the healthy way, consult with a dietician or nutritionist who can help you plan your weight loss. If you have food allergies or medical concerns requiring a specialized diet, or need accountability, they can help. In addition, some people seek out a hypnotherapist to spur behavioral modifications such as making healthy food choices.
Exercise
Join a gym, hire a personal trainer, or simply make a commitment to yourself that you will become more active. The key to weight loss is using more calories than you consume – and exercise is a great way to burn those calories! Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week. Burning an extra 500 calories each day will lead to a loss of about a pound per week. Of course, there are plenty of options, from running to swimming to playing team sports, that will keep you moving and help you shed the pounds.
Medications or Supplements
Prescription weight loss drugs have helped thousands of patients lose their excess weight. Most medications used for weight loss work as appetite suppressants to keep people from overeating. These pills should only be used after consultation with your doctor, since they do have side effects and may interact with other medications you are taking.
Some medications – such as ‘Phen-fen’ and Ephedra – have been removed from the market in most countries because they have been linked to serious health risks. However, newer generation weight loss drugs are believed to be safer. One option is Sibutramine (sold as Meridia), which is recommended for those who are more than 30 pounds overweight. By making the person feel full, it decreases food intake. Orlistat (Xenical or Alli) is recommended for those with a BMI over 30. Xenical reduces fat absorption in the intestines
There are also over-the-counter and herbal remedies to consider. Most work by ‘tricking’ the body into thinking it is not hungry. The most commonly used herbal supplements for weight loss include St. John’s wort, H- hydroxytryptophan (H-HTP), Chitosan, Aloe, Cascara, Dandelion, and herbal diuretics. Over-the-counter weight loss pills may contain these ingredients or others. The effectiveness of these remedies can vary, and there may be side effects; talk to your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, is usually recommended only for those people who are morbidly obese or who have severe medical problems related to obesity. In general, patients are at least 80 to 100 pounds overweight. Surgery may be malabsorptive – bypassing part of the digestive system to decrease absorption of food by the intestines – or restrictive, which works by decreasing stomach size to limit the amount of food that can be eaten. Learn more about the types of bariatric procedures.
What’s the absolute best way to lose weight and keep it from coming back? That is a personal decision, based on the individual situation. Whether you decide to lose the weight through dieting, are considering weight loss surgery, or have opted for another weight loss option, consult with your doctor to be sure you’re going about this journey in a healthy way.