Weight Loss
The abundance of fast food and gourmet restaurants in this country makes it increasingly difficult to not only understand how to eat healthy, but even if we know what to do, the excessive quantity of food choices makes it hard to stay on track with our weight-loss programs. The body is very complicated and needs to be nourished to have a healthy lifestyle. While many individuals choose very lofty weight-loss goals, actual weight loss should not be more than one or two pounds a week. While some obese individuals can expect to have a greater weight loss than a couple of pounds per week in the early stages of their weight-loss program, setting a realistic goal of no more than two pounds per week can ensure that your goals are attainable. The main premise behind healthy weight loss is the amount of calories expended in your lifestyle. When you consume more calories than you expend, the end result is weight gain. The opposite holds true as well. For most people, if daily expenditure is greater than intake, a healthy weight loss usually occurs. The most successful weight-loss programs incorporate not only careful dietary choices, but also include daily exercise to increase caloric expenditure.
A lot of planning and scheduling goes behind weight loss. You may assume that weight loss will occur by just consuming fewer calories than you need. While on paper this assumption holds true, the complexity of the human body can often prevent this from occurring. Consuming too few calories can actually hinder weight-loss efforts and decrease the individual's metabolism. Dr. Adams can help you determine your daily caloric needs and build a proper meal plan to achieve your weight-loss goals. For example, your height, weight, activity level, and any medications or disabling factors all go into determining your caloric needs. Additionally, food choices made while reaching your desired weight are extremely important. Your diet must include the right amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fat to keep your body on the track to success. Dr. Adams specifically tailors nutrition programs to each person, recognizing the uniqueness of each individual.
Although weight loss can seem extremely complicated, it can be achieved by setting both short- and long-term goals and remaining positive. Not every day will be perfect. Allow yourself to make a mistake every now and then. Weight loss is a journey or marathon, not a sprint. You didn't gain all your weight overnight; don't plan on losing it that way! Consistency over time will allow you to make the most progress. Quick weight-loss programs are not solutions and in many times can do more harm than help.
References
Herbert, Victor, M.D., J.D., Subak-Sharpe, Genell J., M.S., and Kasdan, Tracy Stopler, M.S., R.D., eds. Total Nutrition . New York : St. Martins Press, 1995.
Zeman, Frances J. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics . New York : Macmillan, 1991
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