Weight loss is perhaps one of the hottest topics, backed by the cold facts that most often people don’t weigh themselves as regularly as they should because they don’t want to face any harsh truths or uncomfortable indications. Conversely, there are people who weigh themselves multiple times a week and sometimes several times a day. Both extremes are to be discouraged, and a healthy outlook towards both the weighing scale and its indications should be adopted.

 

The truth about weight watching is that it is not about external appearances or aesthetics anymore. It is about what’s going on inside your body, that the numbers on the scale are pointing to. It’s also good to think about vital statistics and body shape – again, not from the aesthetic viewpoint, but from a health perspective. For instance, apple-shaped people, i.e. those with protruding bellies, are prime candidates for heart disease, while pear-shaped people (those who are bottom heavy), are not so much at risk, but need to watch their weight regardless.

 

It is important to be aware of certain other weighty facts. For example, rapid weight gain could be indicative of hypothyroidism and rapid weight loss could indicate hyperthyroidism.

 

You would have heard so much talk about how sedentary living has adversely affected weight. Stress also plays a key role in this case – causing people to overeat, in order to calm some inner conflict. This constitutes one of the psychological factors that contribute to weight gain. Stress can also produce the opposite effect, and cause people to rapidly lose weight due to undereating, or anxiety.

 

Says Dr. T. Lakshmikanth of Star Hospitals, “Weight gain has become common in children, and is leading to children becoming depressed and avoiding social interaction. Overweight or obese adolescents avoid school and become reclusive. There is weight discrimination in the job market, with employers rejecting obese candidates, even though they may be highly qualified. Overweight women suffer from PCOS, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Overweight middle-aged adults have health issues like Diabetes and Sleep Apnoea.  Diabetes can be brought under control by 90% with adequate weight loss, and so can sleep apnoea.”

 

Maintaining a healthy weight involves discipline. Exercise regularly and be as active as possible in between “sedentary” hours at your work desk. Eat healthy balanced meals and avoid crash diets and fad diets. Go for regular check-ups to monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and add lots of fruit, fiber, vegetables and low-fat nuts to your daily intake of food.  Smaller meals, taken more frequently, help keep your metabolism at peak so that you burn fat and keep your weight down.

 

“If you can’t lose weight,” says Dr. T. Lakshmikanth, “there is another option – bariatric surgery - which is very popular and effective. One small surgery can restore your health and give you self-confidence.”

 

Step on your weighing scales without fear. It’s better to know the truth and deal with it.  No matter what your weight, you can bring in to optimal levels.