Weight gain can be a medical problem. Perhaps you have undergone surgery recently which has left you partially immobile. This will lead to weight gain, as will other conditions such as diabetes. Yet, as we shall see, being overweight or obese – and there is a major difference – can be caused directly by choices made in your lifestyle.Each one of us is different in terms of body shape and size. What, for example, is your ideal weight? As we shall explain a little later on this is determined by a calculation known as ‘Body Mass Index’ of BMI, and it is an indication of whether you are around the correct weight or in fact carrying extra.
This article is about attending a weight loss clinic for residents in and around Atlanta. We will look whether you are classed as overweight or obese, if you happen to be the right candidate for a medical weight loss program, and what such a program involves. Let’s begin by having a more detailed look at the possible causes of gaining unwanted weight.
What Causes Weight Gain?
Your first consultation at a medical weight loss clinic is where the consultant learns about the root cause of your weight problem. Only then can the devise a program that will enable you to lose the unwanted weight. Here a some of the main causes of weight gain:
Genetics can play a big part in weight gain. Children of obese parents, for example, are far more likely to become obese themselves. Hormonal changes can also influence your weight, especially that involving insulin hence the problem for diabetics.
Junk food is popular, convenient, and often very tasty but is never usually healthy. Many of the ingredients have been prepared and are therefore stocked with preservatives and additives that are not conducive to good health.
Overeating is one of the main causes of obesity and weight gain and is an easy problem to fall into. In cases where stress plays a part it is as likely the individual overeats as it is the opposite, and this can lead to rapid weight gain.
Sugar is a big problem in processed and other foods and leads to weight gain if not taken in moderation.
Other lifestyle choices that can affect our weight include smoking regularly, drinking more alcohol than one should, lack of exercise, and indulging in recreational drugs. Before we move on, a quick word about the difference between obesity and being overweight.
Am I Obese or Overweight?
The USA is rife with obesity problems and more so now than ever. Obesity is defined as being when your Body Mass Index (BMI) – which determines the ideal weight you should be as influence by sex, ages, height, and various other factors – is 30 or above. The standard should be around 19. Your consultant at the clinic will work out your BMI for you in order to help tailor a weight loss program for you. Each individual is treated as such because what works for one may not work for another, hence the need for combinations of treatment options. We’ll talk about these options shortly but first we want to discuss who is the ideal candidate for a medical weight loss program.
What are the Benefits of Medical Weight Loss in Atlanta?
Being overweight can lead to many other problems, not least those of poor self-esteem and depression. Extra weight can also put pressure on the heart and other organs, especially when the individual is obese. The benefits of losing weight include the following:
- Less risk of heart problems and other organs being affected.
- No social adversity in looking overweight and being shamed by it.
- A happier and healthier life all-round.
- Better mental health and self-worth.
- More incentive to exercise and eat a healthy diet.
- Persons of the correct weight or near to it tend to live longer.
Be aware that a consultant will ask you questions about your family history – mainly to determine if diabetes or obesity, or other ailments that cause weight gain, run in the family – and your daily lifestyle and habits.
You will also be asked to commit to change your lifestyle in terms of the diet, exercise, smoking, drinking, and general daily lives to become healthier and help lose weight.
What Does Medical Weight Loss Involve?
Counselling from professionals who have expertise in helping devise a balanced diet that should aid weight loss yet keep you suitably rich in the nutrients you need.Medical weight loss is not a simple process as it requires determination and patience from the patient. You need to have a sensible expectation of the outcome, and to be prepared to make several visits to the clinic. The following are some of the treatment methods that combine to create a medical weight loss program:
- FDA approved weight loss supplements will be prescribed, and these are primarily aimed at reducing your appetite so making it easier to diet successfully.
- Fat burning injections may be administered. These contain various active vitamins and amino acids that help with reducing fat levels in the body and may be required twice a week.
- Ongoing monitoring of your progress via a smartphone app that enables you to keep track of your calorie count and weight loss as it progresses. Your performance will also be monitored by the team who are administering your weight loss program.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy may be used in some cases, as the reduction in production of certain hormones can accelerate weight gain in some individuals.
Who I Contact for Medical Weight Loss in Atlanta?
If you have tried dieting with determination and had no success you need to contact the professionals. Either visit your doctor and ask for a referral or get in touch with a local Atlanta medical weight loss clinic and arrange for an initial consultation. You will need to apply a high level of dedication and commitment to the program, but it will be worth it to lose that weight and live a healthy and happy life.
