What Obesity Help is Available?

If you are concerned about what type of obesity help is available,  don't despair or think that you are alone. There are three main sources of help for people who are obese.

Professional help, for example, doctors, dieticians and gym instructors.

Help from friends who are supportive and will encourage and motivate you.

Self-help - the stuff you can do for yourself.

 Professional Obesity Help

Before embarking on any course of action designed to lose a large amount of your weight, it is essential to see your doctor. A medical examination will indicate any health problems related to being overweight, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Your doctor will be able to assess your general fitness level and advise you on diet and exercise.

You may be referred to a dietician who will help you draw up an eating plan. If you decide to join a gym or exercise class or take up a new sport, be sure to get professional advice before you start. This means booking a session with a gym instructor to work out an individual exercise plan, ensuring that the teacher of your class is properly qualified and that you are starting at the right level.

However, the good news is, you don't have to do any of these things to become fit. (see Self Help)

Obesity Help from Friends

Losing weight and exercising is a lot more fun if you are doing it with someone else. So team up with one or more friends for motivation. Your friends don't necessarily need to be trying to lose weight - everyone can benefit from healthy eating and exercise.

If your friends are all too busy to be involved in your new project, consider joining a slimming club. If this isn't possible, you could join an online forum, where you'll at least be able to talk to other people in a similar situation and will get encouragement when you feel you aren't progressing fast enough.

 Self-Help

There is a great deal that you can do to help yourself, which is great because being struggling with overweight can sometimes lead to feelings of powerlessness. If you do suffer from serious ongoing depression, please see your doctor, as you may need treatment.

OK, now let's take a look at some of the things you can do.

Remember, it's important to take small steps. If you try to do too much at once, it's easy to slip back into bad habits. Also, it is vital to remember that healthy weight loss means gradual weight loss. So, no drastic measures please!

Food diary

Write down everything (yes, everything!) you eat for a week. This will help you become aware of exactly how much you are eating. How many times have you turned round to pick up another biscuit or piece of chocolate only to find that you've eaten the lot without realising it!

Decide which will be the easiest sugary or starchy foods for you to cut back on and eliminate them gradually from your diet.

Try some new healthy recipes - there are some on this website and you'll find plenty more if you do a search:

 Exercise

If you are overweight, the last thing you want is to be seen in a gym or by the pool with all those slim people showing off their bodies. The good news is - walking is one of the best possible forms of exercise available and it's free and can be done anywhere and at any time.

Start by walking a little extra every day - take the stairs instead of the lift, walk all or part of the way to work and take a short walk in your lunch break. If you are at home during the day, walk to the shops. Gradually increase your walking until you are doing 30-40 minutes a day about 5 times a week.

As you start to feel better - and exercise itself releases endorphins which will improve your mood - think about taking up another form of exercise, like cycling, rollerblading or swimming. If you have any concerns about your fitness levels, check with your doctor first. Try exercising with friends or family and choose something you enjoy.

Have Fun

On the subject of enjoyment, make sure you take time every day to do something you enjoy and which isn't connected with food. This will help your mood and stop you thinking about food and dieting too much. Take up an activity you previously enjoyed or have always wanted to try, go to a language class or learn to make pottery, put up shelves or knit - whatever appeals to you.

Although it may seem difficult, there is plenty of obesity help available and if you take advantage of it, you'll find that you have plenty of support.