Beta blockers are a class of medications typically prescribed to manage a variety of cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension, according to "Foundations of Nursing." These medications work by slowing your heart rate and making your heart squeeze with greater force, which reduces your pulse and blood pressure, according to "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing." Reducing the heart rate slows the metabolism -- the rate at which calories are burned -- according to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment." Though losing weight may be more challenging while taking beta blockers, it is attainable.
Step 1
Eat five to six small meals, as opposed to three large meals, throughout the day. According to "Contemporary Nutrition," this will keep your digestive tract always working, which will burn more calories and result in greater weight loss for most people, including those taking beta blockers.
Step 2
Perform 30 minutes of light to moderate cardiovascular activity at least four days per week if your doctor will allow it. According to "Foundations of Nursing," this is an amount of exercise that is effective in producing weight loss but is generally safe for overweight people and those on beta blockers to perform.
Step 3
Drink at least the equivalent in ounces of water per day of half of your body weight in pounds. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs., drink at least 100 oz. of water each day. According to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," this is the minimum amount of water an overweight person needs to stay properly hydrated. "Foundations of Nursing" says that only hydrated cells are capable of metabolizing fat properly, so maintaining adequate hydration is essential to weight loss.
References
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Adrianne Dill Linton; 2007
- "Contemporary Nutrition," Gordon M. Wardlaw and Anne M. Smith; 2007
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD and Albert J. Stunkard MD; 2004
