5 Questions to Ask About Medical Weight Loss

Everyone’s goal weight will differ however, there are general guidelines that apply to most individuals. For your first milestone, it may be best to aim to lose 10% of your starting body weight if you are overweight. By losing just 10% of your initial body weight, you can reduce your risk of chronic disease as well as manage chronic diseases (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes). 10% off is a crucial amount of weight loss for better health and shouldn’t be overlooked just because it sounds small. 

Weight loss that occurs gradually is better than weight loss that occurs quickly. Those who lose weight quickly might not lose as much fat as those who lose weight gradually. It is more likely that water weight and even lean tissue will disappear before fat calories do. Changing lifestyles and maintaining the quality of life are necessary for slower weight loss. Also, it is important to make changes that will last and work for the entire family. We often feel deprived, irritable, and physically hungry when we lose weight rapidly. It is difficult for most people to maintain that level of commitment. 

A calorie deficit of 3,500 calories per week is required to lose one pound per week. This amounts to a daily loss of 500 calories. By eating 500 fewer calories per day, exercising to burn 500 calories, or combining both, you can burn 500 calories. It is easier for most people to combine an exercise strategy with a diet strategy. Losing two pounds means losing 1000 calories a day. A slower weight loss rate would be ideal for most people, since that may be a difficult target. 

How long it will take to reach your weight loss goal will differ from how long it takes for others and that is to be expected. The important thing is setting a strategy for possible and healthy weight loss that will work for you. 

If an individual is overweight, they are at a higher susceptibility to many health conditions. An individual’s body mass index is a measure of how heavy they are compared to their height. BMIs between 18.5 and 24.9 are associated with the lowest health risks in the general population. An obese person has a BMI of 30 or higher, while an overweight person has a BMI of 25.0-29.9. An underweight person has a BMI of one < 18.5 on the index. There is typically a higher health risk associated with a BMI that is outside of the lowest risk range. 

By losing weight and keeping your weight in the healthy recommended area you reduce the heightened risk of many chronic and acute health problems. 

Individuals’ weights can be affected by a wide variety of health issues. Some of these can lead to weight gain, while others may lead to weight loss. Weight fluctuations can occur unexpectedly due to a variety of factors, including hypothyroidism, depression, insomnia, menopause, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and more. Weight fluctuations may also be caused by underlying health conditions. 

Some medicines can cause weight gain in certain people. This can be advantageous if you are already underweight. In case you are at a normal weight, gaining a few pounds might not bother you. When someone is already overweight, weight gain may be more problematic. 

Many types of medicines can cause weight gain. The use of steroids, for example, can contribute to weight gain. Medication used to treat mental health conditions, such as depression and schizophrenia, can cause unwanted weight gain. Both men and women can gain weight as a result of taking medicine. 

If weight gain is a concern with a particular medication, talk to your healthcare provider, as potential alternatives may be available in certain cases. For more information, contact us or book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 3435 Martin Way East. Suite C, Olympia, WA 98506. We serve patients from Olympia WA, Tacoma WA, Puyallup WA, Lakewood WA, Yelm WA, Shelton WA, Lacey WA, and surrounding areas.