Doctor's Advice On How To Lose Weight

Being overweight or obese can lead to serious and even fatal conditions. High blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, infertility and even some cancers can be caused by being overweight and obese, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Talking with your doctor can help you discover the best and most healthy ways to lose weight for your specific condition. Make an appointment with your physician and get her approval before beginning any new workout regimen, especially if you have previously been sedentary.

Body Mass Index

Most conventional doctors will check your height and weight to see where you fall on the body mass index (BMI) charts. A BMI is healthy if it falls between 18.5 and 25. Overweight is between 25 and 30 and you will be considered obese if your BMI is above 30. Your doctor will consider a person whose BMI is above 25 to be at greater risk of disease such as type 2 diabetes.

Exercise

According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN Health, exercising moderately for 275 minutes per week is the most important aspect of weight loss. Because exercise acts as an appetite suppressant, according to Dr. Gupta, people who regularly work out will also eat fewer calories and will lose more weight than those who diet alone. Your doctor will most likely advise you to do regular exercise and can give you tips on what types of exercises are safe and healthy for your specific condition.

Practical Suggestions

Your physician will have many practical suggestions for how to lose weight. He may suggest adding extra physical activity to your daily routine, which can be accomplished as easy as parking farther away from a building to get in extra walking, taking the stairs instead of elevators or doing more chores like vacuuming or gardening. Your doctor may even be able to suggest easy ways that you can specifically add physical activity to your day, depending on your personal situation.

Obstacles to Weight Loss

Your doctor will also advise you about any obstacles that may be preventing weight loss. Certain conditions such as hormonal disorders or cardiovascular diseases and medications like antihistamines, progestin-based contraception or certain antidepressants may prevent weight loss from occurring, according to the website FamilyDoctor. Your doctor will help you switch your medications and work around your health conditions to ensure optimal weight-loss potential.

Realistic Goals

Doctors know the health benefits of realistic and modest weight-loss goals. Losing even five to 10 percent of your body fat can significantly decrease your risks for diseases that are associated with obesity and being overweight. A 200-pound person only needs to lose 10 lbs. to experience the health benefits of weight loss. So, if you feel overwhelmed with the amount of weight you want to lose, concentrate on smaller, short-term goals to keep you motivated. Your doctor can help you decide on short-term goals that will benefit your overall health.