If you are struggling to lose weight, you are not alone. Successful weight loss is a tricky and slippery slope for many individuals. The truth is that weight loss is not only about counting calories or exercising more. Below, our internal medicine specialists in Northwest Indiana are going to discuss some of the key things individuals should know throughout their weight-loss journey.
Losing weight is hard
The typical American diet (consisting mainly of refined grains, added sugar, and other low-quality carbs) and a lack of exercise have led to a big obesity problem in the US. In fact, about 40% of US adults are obese. Why is this a problem? Because obesity is associated with a statistically higher risk of developing many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, gallstones, heart disease, fatty liver disease, cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, stroke, and many more.
The real culprit in everyone’s eating lifestyle these days is high-carb, low-nutrition processed foods that don’t give the body the vitamins and minerals it needs. Naturally, then, if you are trying to lose weight on your own, you are probably counting calories or exercising more. However, reducing your calorie intake can lower your metabolism and make your body hold onto fat, and too much exercise can make you more stressed, which makes losing weight even harder.
If you have tried losing weight on your own (or with diet groups) and nothing seems to work, you should reach out to a professional. An internal medicine specialist in Hobart, Indiana can offer you a medically supervised weight loss program designed just for you based on what works best for your body.
Eat whole food
We are supposed to eat real, whole foods, not the processed stuff that you find on store shelves. An internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana can help you create a meal plan full of tasty and nutritious foods – think low-carb foods like seafood, meats, veggies, fresh fruits and healthy fats like avocados, olives, nuts and seeds.
Sometimes, you might need supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies, and your internal medicine specialist can recommend those too.
Do you have any health issues?
Before starting your medically supervised weight loss plan, it is necessary to check for any existing health issues. That’s why your internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana will do a full physical exam and run some blood tests to check for health problems like diabetes that can make losing weight harder. They will also do a body composition analysis and check your heart health to make sure everything is good before you start.
You need more than willpower
If you are struggling with losing weight, that does not mean you lack willpower. Sometimes, eating salty, sweet or fatty foods can make you feel hungrier than you truly are. Switching to a diet with whole foods helps you tune into your body’s real hunger signals. You will find that eating more vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers and healthy unsaturated fats makes you less hungry.
We agree that changing your diet and lifestyle is not easy, and it is only normal to want quick results. So, to help speed up the process, your internal medicine specialist might give you metabolism boosters. They will also recommend exercises to make it easier to stick with your new routine.
Looking for an Internal Medicine Specialist in Northwest Indiana?
Are you ready to meet with an internal medicine specialist in Northwest Indiana to start your journey to a healthier you? If so, 219 Health Network is the place to visit. With a team of highly skilled and compassionate internists, we are here to provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Contact us today at 833-219-0001 to learn more.