| There are over 180 million Americans who are | | | | are only mildly overweight and you need guidance |
| overweight and almost 90 million of them are severely | | | | over what to eat and how to exercise, there are so |
| overweight, or obese. That means 30% of adults in | | | | many resources. And you can access almost all of |
| the United States are so overweight that they are at | | | | them over the World Wide Web. In the 1980's, it |
| an increased risk for at least 30 medical conditions, | | | | would've been very difficult to find help for obesity. But |
| some deadly, including heart disease, cancer of the | | | | today, even though there is progress to be made and |
| breast, colon, uterus and esophagus, hypertension, | | | | most health insurance providers don't cover obesity |
| glaucoma, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, and | | | | treatment, it's a lot easier. |
| osteoarthritis. And there's a significant chance that any | | | | But what are some specific options for you if you are |
| random American citizen reading this article also | | | | struggling with obesity? Well, first know that if you |
| wishes they could shed a few pounds. | | | | simply decrease your body fat by a mere 10%, you |
| Obesity has recently been dubbed a serious, chronic | | | | can be on the road to a healthier lifestyle and reduce |
| medical condition by the medical and scientific | | | | your risk for a bunch of health complications that |
| community. Only in the past few decades have | | | | previously haunted you. So don't panic and overexert |
| experts taken notice of the problem, but that's not | | | | yourself at the gym or go on a starvation diet. Instead, |
| because it isn't a legitimate problem. It's simply a matter | | | | aim to lose a half to two pounds a week. |
| of it being new to them! Over the last twenty years, | | | | And if engaging in a strict work out schedule is |
| obesity rates in America have doubled. (For children | | | | intimidating, why not just incorporate physical activity |
| and adolescents, rates of being overweight have | | | | into your daily routine? For example, pick up a new |
| tripled!) | | | | hobby like gardening. And of course - watch what you |
| And if you are obese (i.e., you have a body mass | | | | eat! Or, rather, what how many calories you consume. |
| index that exceeds 30), you are not alone. And you | | | | All of this may seem like common sense and yet it still |
| shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed about it. While | | | | may be too elusive for you. Maybe you find that no |
| obesity is a problem, there is plenty of treatment | | | | matter how hard you try, you can't seem to avoid |
| available and your genes may figure into why you | | | | eating that extra slice of cake or you just can't get |
| struggle with weight. | | | | motivated to go for a walk around the park after |
| The key is determine why it is you have a weight | | | | supper. |
| problem in the first place and then to take the | | | | That's okay. The United States Department of Health |
| necessary steps to ridding yourself of those unhealthy, | | | | and Human Services has lots of resources for you on |
| life-threatening pounds. Being just overweight may not | | | | the national level, but your state and local community |
| be an issue for you, and in some cases it ought not be, | | | | likely has counseling services too, that can get you into |
| but if you are severely overweight, it's time to wake | | | | shape fast. Sometimes just having a game plan and a |
| up and make life changes that will increase the quality | | | | little accountability about how much you exercise and |
| and not to mention, length, of your life. | | | | how much you eat can make all the difference. And |
| But how can you do this? Unfortunately, thanks to | | | | some of that conventional wisdom like "don't eat if |
| messages sent out from magazines and television, | | | | you're full" will suddenly ring true if you have an expert |
| you may feel very depressed about your self-image - | | | | giving it to you. |
| as underweight supermodels typically resemble beauty | | | | However, if you are indeed struggling with a food |
| in the American media - and instead of these | | | | addiction you can't seem to control, there are even |
| messages encouraging you to get outdoors and | | | | more intensive treatments that may come in the form |
| exercise and eat healthy, you probably just find | | | | of a diet pill or even surgery. Just make sure to |
| yourself answering more cravings for unhealthy food. | | | | properly research these treatment options, as it's |
| This is because a height of five feet and eleven | | | | always advisable to lose weight naturally. |
| inches, accompanied with a weight of 117 pounds | | | | Truthfully, it's not all that difficult to lose weight. What's |
| (these are the average dimensions of a female model) | | | | really challenging is to maintain that weight loss - that's |
| is a completely unrealistic body type for most people. | | | | why joining a weight loss program that will keep you |
| And when faced with such an impossible ideal of | | | | committed to a healthy diet of exercise and food can |
| beauty, one can only feel overwhelmed and ultimately | | | | be very beneficial. |
| discouraged, retreating to food for comfort. | | | | For those with severe obesity, there are many |
| One gains weight by simply consuming more calories | | | | surgeries available. They include the popular gastric |
| than he or she burns. But if you work at an office job, | | | | bypass surgery. Sit down and have a long talk with |
| have kids to take care of, and are constantly dealing | | | | your doctor if you are considering surgery - the risks |
| with a social stigma about your weight, it can be | | | | and side effects may not be worth the weight loss, |
| enormously challenging to find time to be physically | | | | especially if you can achieve that same weight loss |
| active and to cook healthy meals. Similarly, you may | | | | through mere diet and exercise. |
| be unaware that you suffer from problems like food | | | | If you are suffering from obesity, don't let it get the |
| addiction and thus you may feel you don't know how | | | | best of you. It is a complicated problem, not one that |
| to get the will power to make even the smallest | | | | you are overreacting to by being concerned. Luckily, |
| lifestyle changes. | | | | there are many ways out and you don't have to go |
| But there is help. Whether you are dangerously obese | | | | through the process alone. |
| and need prescription diet pills and/or surgery or you | | | | |