Losing even 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk of developing potentially dangerous chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure. With two locations in San Antonio, Texas, the expert physicians at Family Medical Home understand how difficult it can be to lose weight on your own. That’s why they offer nutritional counseling to help you lose weight in a healthy way. For more information, call Family Medical Home or schedule an appointment online.
If you feel like you’re constantly trying new diets, with little to no success, the Family Medical Home team can help determine what’s causing your plateau and get you back on track to reaching your weight-loss goals.
Some of the most common reasons you may be struggling to lose weight are:
Late-night snacking raises your blood sugar, insulin levels, and body temperature, which makes it difficult for your body to burn fat. In addition, most people tend to snack on unhealthy foods, such as chips, crackers, and cookies, late at night, derailing their daytime progress.
Do you ever feel like your friends can eat whatever they want without gaining weight? If so, they may simply have a faster metabolism than you. Your metabolism is a chemical reaction that converts your body’s calories into energy. A slow metabolism means you don’t burn as many calories as somebody with a fast metabolism.
When you’re stressed, your body’s cortisol levels spike. This hormone stimulates the release of insulin, which can make you hungrier than usual. In addition, cortisol may lead to fat deposits in the abdomen, rather than the hips, which raises your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.
An underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism, causes your body to hold onto salt and water, which can lead to bloating. The thyroid also affects your metabolism and energy levels. Without proper treatment, hypothyroidism often causes weight gain.
Though weight loss can help you look your best and boost your self-esteem, it isn’t purely superficial. Obesity raises your risk of serious health complications, including:
Obesity is defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) — a general calculation of your weight in relation to your height — of 30 or above. Losing weight can help lower your BMI, which offers a number of health benefits.
Losing 5-10% of your body weight reduces your risk of many chronic conditions while improving your overall health. Some of the most important weight-loss benefits include:
A healthy diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight and prevent disease. Your Family Medical Home physician will perform a thorough physical exam, review your family and medical history, and talk to you about your lifestyle habits to determine the right diet and exercise plan for you.
If you’re ready to lose weight, call Family Medical Home or book a visit online today.