Weight Loss/Weight Management

While the causes of becoming over-weight may be complex, the body's energy balance system is straight forward.  The balance between energy you take in and energy you spend determine whether you will gain or lose, or maintain body fat. One of the most important things for people concerned with weight control is to understand that quite large changes in weight are not usually changes in body fat. The type of tissue lost or gained depends on how you go about losing or gaining it. When you eat less food than you need, your body draws on its stored fuel to keep going.

If a person exercises appropriately, moderately restricts calories, and consumes a balanced diet, the body is forced to use its stored fat for energy. Gradual weight loss will occur. This is preferred to rapid weight loss because lean body mass is spared and fat is lost. If you want to lose fat, fasting is not the best way.  While the body's lean tissue is degraded, other tissues are deprived of nutrients they need to assemble new enzymes, red and white blood cells and other vital components.  The body also slows its metabolism down to conserve energy-the wrong effect for weight-loss.

Research shows that a healthy weight loss program should include meal plans which are no less than 1200/calories per day, a strength training program, and cardio fitness program. All of these components need to be addressed in order to achieve success in any weight loss plan. We know that as people age, their bodies accumulate the effects of a lifetime of choices, and in later years these impacts can make the difference between a life of health or one of chronic disabilities.