A person with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.0 for adults or over the 95th percentile for children and teens is considered obese. An obese person faces an increased risk of numerous health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For the obese, a loss of one to two pounds per week is recommended; however, an obese person may lose more weight per week under a doctor's care. As such, an obese patient should seek the advice of her physician before embarking upon the weight loss journey to ensure a proper plan is developed and followed.
Step 1
Get a support team together. Losing weight is a difficult task that will take some encouragement, and at times, sternness. Family, friends, and other people who are trying to lose weight can offer you support and suggestions to help you on your weight loss journey. Weight loss support groups are a good place to turn when you need people who are facing the same obstacles as you.
Step 2
Adopt a healthy eating plan. Eating healthy food items from all of the basic food groups---dairy, fruits/vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and fat---is a good way to lose weight; however, in addition to choosing healthy foods, you must ensure that you are eating appropriate serving sizes and number of servings.
Step 3
Forgo beverages that contain empty calories. Soft drinks and many other beverages contain calories that will work against you when trying to lose weight.
Step 4
Opt to start a liquid diet. Before a gastric bypass operation, a patient is often placed on a liquid diet. Most liquid diets for the obese are prescription products. The requirements for a liquid diet vary greatly from one patient to another, so check with your doctor to find out if you qualify for this option.
Step 5
Start an exercise program. It may not be possible for you to exercise for an hour straight, but you can do a little exercise throughout the day. Walk a few extra steps each time you get up if you are able. Start doing arm and leg lifts and stretches if you are bedbound. If possible, visit a physical therapist or occupational therapist for a personalized exercise routine.
Step 6
Utilize medical interventions to help you lose weight. Taking prescription diet pills, such as lipase inhibitors, can help you to lose up to 10 pounds more during six months of use than you would have lost without the pills. Bariatric surgery is an option for obese patients who have exhausted other options and meet the guidelines of a BMI of 40.0 or more without underlying health conditions or 35.0 and over with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Both of these methods can help you to get to a healthy weight; however, you must be willing to eat a healthy diet and exercise for these methods to work effectively.
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