Weight Loss Treatment Options
If you struggle with weight, talk to our providers about weight loss treatment options as soon as possible.
What are some ways you can lose weight?
Learn to make healthy diet choices
Learning to make healthy choices when it comes to food makes a huge difference in mood and weight loss efforts.
We all have different calorie needs based on our gender, age, and activity level. Health conditions can play a role too, including if you need to lose weight.
Increase your physical activity
Our providers recommend getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day and even more exercise for further health benefits and weight loss. Your healthcare provider can help you determine what diet choices would best benefit you and your weight loss journey.
Regular exercise improves mental health and does the body good. Some great exercises include:
- Walking
- Resistance exercises
- Opting for stairs instead of an elevator
- Yoga
- Biking
If you’ve been inactive or you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or health care provider before starting a new physical activity program. Most people can begin with five- or 10-minute activity sessions and increase the time gradually.
Sleep
Proper sleep duration and quality are essential not only for physical but emotional well-being, and adequate sleep can help with weight loss.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), some steps you can take to improve sleep are to:
- keep a regular sleep schedule
- avoid blue light from smart devices before bed
- keep the bedroom cool
- get exercise and natural light in the daytime
- avoid eating or drinking close to bedtime
Increased use of smart devices can affect sleep quality and quantity, food choices, and physical activity. According to a study by Taheri, from theHoward Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, poor sleep increases BMI and changes levels of hormones ghrelin and leptin, which control appetite.¹⁶ Lack of good quality sleep can also lead to insulin resistance, causing weight gain.
How does weight affect previously existing conditions?
Migraine, arthritis, and different chronic conditions can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. Extra weight also puts pressure and stress on joints, increases pain sensitivity, reduces flexibility, causes inflammation, poor sleep, and affects quality of life.
Common types of chronic pain linked to obesity include:
- Migraine
- Low back pain
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Fribromyalgia
- Arthritis
