If you are more than 100 lbs. overweight or your body mass index is greater than or equal to 40, you're considered morbidly obese. BMI estimates body fat based on height and weight. The Obesity Action Coalition website also includes individuals with a BMI of 35 or greater, and who has an existing condition, like diabetes or hypertension, as morbidly obese. Getting into shape when you are morbidly obese is possible with the proper diet, fitness regimen and support.
Diet
The first step in to losing weight when you're morbidly obese is making changes to your diet. It may be necessary to try several diet plans before you find one you can stick to and that works. Some changes you can make on your own include switching from sugary drinks, like soda, to water; stopping eating snack foods like chips and cookies; paying attention to what you eat by only eating at the table and not in front of the TV; and recording how many calories you eat in a journal. Talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise or diet plan.
Exercise
Physical activity will burn calories and improve your mood. Start with something small that you feel comfortable with, like a walk around your neighborhood or a walking workout DVD. After you feel comfortable with 10 minutes of walking, increase your walks to 20 or 30 minutes. Once you get used to walking and feel stronger you may be ready to work out at a gym on cardio and free weight equipment or go swimming.
Support Groups
While diet and exercise work as far as changing your physical weight, most people who are morbidly obese have tried many programs and failed due to emotional issues with food and eating. Support programs offer you help on an emotional and spiritual level. Overeaters Anonymous offers support to anyone who eats compulsively, including binge eaters. OA follows a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, only replacing food with alcohol. Meetings are available online and in most areas. Food Addicts Anonymous is similar to OA, but views food addiction as a biological condition that occurs in certain people with a sensitivity to foods like sugar and flour. OA does not support a particular diet plan, while FAA gives specific dietary guidelines.
Weight Loss Surgery
When all else has failed and health benefits outweigh risks, weight loss surgery is an option for the morbidly obese. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery are available. Both involve shrinking the stomach so you are physically unable to eat more that a small amount of food. Banding involves tying the upper portion of the stomach with an adjustable silicone band, and gastric bypass surgery involves rearranging the stomach with surgical staples. Both surgeries create a small stomach pouch.
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