You've tried different diets — and even been exercising frequently — but those extra kilos won't come off. Don't quit. It could also be that you just haven't yet found a weight reduction strategy that works for you.
“Everything works for some people, but no treatment is equally effective for everybody,” says Dr. Lee Kaplan, director of the Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. “No method is fundamentally higher than one other. The key's to search out which therapy is best for you, and that takes trial and error.”
There are some ways to drop pounds. Of course, food plan and exercise should come first. There's no shortage of diets to try: low-calorie, low-carb, weight-loss plans with heavy meals first to fill you up, and prepackaged meals.
In addition to food plan, exercise helps burn calories. Getting more sleep and lowering your stress levels with biofeedback or meditation may be helpful. If you're easily discouraged, studies show that a support program can increase your probabilities of success. Options include phone, Internet, or group support, and in-person coaching. For some people, appetite suppressants or weight reduction surgery will help them lose enough weight and keep it off.
Even for those who don't reach your ideal weight reduction goal, you must achieve living a heart-healthy lifestyle. And meaning staying physically energetic, even for those who don't lose a pound or an inch.
“Everyone should exercise frequently, not necessarily to drop pounds, but since it's good for the center, regardless of what your weight,” says Dr. Kaplan. “A food plan low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids and limited salt intake can substantially reduce cardiovascular risk. However, neither aspect of this food plan reliably causes weight reduction. Banega,” he adds.
When you're attempting to drop pounds, Dr. Kaplan advises you to take it one step at a time.
“Try what feels good, don't get discouraged, and don't quit,” he says. “Until we improve at understanding what obesity is, it's only a matter of determining what's best for you.” What's better,” he says.