Weight Loss Help

In the Weight Loss Help section of this site, we have many articles to help you with specific problem areas and common questions relating to weight loss. You can read the introduction or scroll down find links to the articles.

Introduction

The need for weight loss help is a major issue which is being discussed at all levels - from government right down to informal discussions amongst friends and family of those who have weight problems. The increase in obesity in developed nations, particularly amongst children, has led to concerns about health, longevity and the cost of medical treatment for illnesses which are directly related to being overweight.

Weight gain has been an ongoing problem for many families and individuals for generations and yet there seems to be no simple solution; for many, weight loss seems impossible or at best, temporary.

The most obvious causes of weight gain are overeating and lack of exercise and the solutions would seem to be a healthy, balanced diet and an appropriate exercise program. However, which diet is best and more importantly, which diet will bring lasting results?

What are the Best Sources of Weight Loss Help?

There is an abundance of weight loss help to be found in popular magazines, on TV shows and no doubt you have friends who are happy to give you their advice. But which advice is best for you?

The first source of help for weight loss should be your doctor. You need to have a proper medical assessment to determine how much weight you need to lose, your existing state of general fitness to do exercise and to identify any underlying health problems, whether these are related to your weight or not.

Your GP will probably give you some diet sheets and advice about exercise. In some cases he or she may refer you to a weight loss specialist at your local hospital.

Once you have made the decision to lose weight, you will need to enlist the help of your family and friends. You will need to avoid junk food and anything which has a high sugar or fat content and this might mean encouraging the rest of the family to eat a more healthy diet too.

This could mean educating them about healthy eating and although they may not be too happy about this at first, the long term benefits are enormous.

If other family members are overweight, you should consider losing weight together. If your children are overweight or obese, it is important to get medical advice, as they may require a different diet to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need to grow and develop healthy bodies.

No Weight Loss Help at Home?

If you don't have a supportive family, or if you live alone or with friends or housemates who aren't in a position to help you, one of the most important things you can do to improve your chances of sticking to your decision to lose weight, is to join a support group.

If you can't find one locally, or don't have the time to attend, an online weight loss support group is an excellent alternative.

Do I need to go to the gym five times a week or jog every day? What is the most effective form of exercise for weight loss and maintenance? The section on exercise for weight loss will look at the role of physical activity in losing excess pounds and maintaining a healthy weight, for both adults and children. If you have a tendency to binge, you'll find some suggestions in the section on this disorder Binge Eating.

Despite the obvious links between diet, lack of exercise and weight gain, many people do not find that calorie cutting and increased physical activity work for them. So what are the alternatives?

 The section on safe weight loss programs will look at different approaches to weight loss, which take into account the root causes of the problem and seek to deal with emotional aspects of overeating. And safe diet will give you a few additional tips. In fact, emotional causes are often the key to our inability to lose weight and the one thing that can hold us back, no matter how hard we try. If you crave food for emotional reasons, EFT is a simple but effective way to tackle the problem. You'll also get some answers to one frequently asked question is how fast to lose weight ?