Obese Like Me

Obesity is a worldwide health problem which is defined as the excess accumulation of body fat. Many people think that it is a state of overweight, but that’s not exactly true. Being overweight indicates an excess amount of weight that includes bone, muscle, fat and water. But, obese persons have a surplus of body fat. According to health professionals, a man having over 25% body fat is obese, while a woman is obese if she has more than 30% of fat.

Generally, the level of obesity is determined using a value known as body mass index (BMI).

BMI is defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. A normal BMI value is between 19 and 25 Kg/m2. In a mild obesity state, one has a BMI value of 30 Kg/m2 or more. But, severe obesity begins when the BMI value reaches 40 Kg/m2 or more.

Obese people always suffer from a number of health problems and diseases. The general health issues are heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, gallstones, sleep apnea, reproductive disorders, osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints, and some types of cancers. Therefore, obesity needs careful attention for both prevention and treatment.

Sedentary lifestyle, consumption of pre-packaged food, and certain medical disorders are the causes of obesity. Along with weight loss medication, diet and exercise treatments are the preferred treatment options for mildly obese patients. Obesity surgery such as Lap Band or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is suitable for some who have failed to lose fat by any other method.

Today, obesity has become the number one public health issue in the United States. Researches show that obesity and overweight are the other important causes of preventable death in America, close behind tobacco intake. Around 1/3rd off all Americans are overweight people and an added 1/3rd are obese. According to the National Institute of Health, 300,000 deaths per year are caused due to obesity.

Obesity provides detailed information on Obesity, Obesity Help, Childhood Obesity, Morbid Obesity and more. Obesity is affiliated with Morbid Obesity Surgery.

Author: Damian Sofsian

What’s your weight/fitness story?

I was 5’2 in height and 273lbs in the 8th grade.

Over the last eight (8) years, now at 29 years old and still around 5’2ish, I have lost and maintained a 123lb weight loss without gastric bypass surgery, any commercial diet programs or fad diets.

I attribute my weight loss success to strengthening my faith, determination, patience…and a treadmill.

Exercise has been the central tool in my transformation, but it’s still only one part of the puzzle towards health. I significantly changed how I eat; altering my relationship to food and eating. Again, I adhere to no specific diet. I practice mindful eating, remaining disciplined and limiting my intake of carbohydrates, sugar, dairy products and caffeine.

What was your turning point and/or “Ah-ha!” moment?
There was no major incident that caused me to have an “aha moment” really. One day I was home visiting from college. And I just said to myself “I had enough!” Enough of wearing body girdles to fit into certain outfits, enough of being the girl that guys never acknowledged. Overall being obese had caused me to miss out on enjoying simple things in life: I had not worn a bathing suit since I was 9 years old, was never able to ride a roller coaster because the safety bar did not fit over my stomach, and did not have my first boyfriend until graduate school.

Where were your parents while you were gaining all of this weight as a child?

My parents tried everything from putting me in dance classes to medical weight loss programs at Childrens’ Hospital here in Washington, DC to only stocking our cabinets with “healthy” food. Even still I would get up in the middle of night while everyone was sleeping, and binge on all the leftover “healthy” food my mom made for dinner. Also, I was a bit of a “Food Hustler” at my Catholic grade school. I would trade stickers and glow-in-the-dark pencils for my classmates’ Hostess cupcakes, Lunchables and/or cheese whiz and crackers! The only exercise I got was playing this Nintendo game that came with an actual running pad!

How has losing weight/being healthy & fit changed your life?

Outside of all the superficial stuff of being able to wear cute clothes and a guy or two noticing me, my weight loss has made me more driven all around. Losing 123lbs has made me feel as if no obstacle is too big whether its school, work-related or family-related. Life has taught me that God is never gonna give me more than I am capable of handling.

How often do you exercise?
My key to success was learning to replace an unhealthy addiction: mindless eating while sitting in front of the television, with a healthy addiction: hitting the gym everyday. “I eat everyday, so I workout everyday,” is my number one fitness tip when giving advice to others.

What is your favorite workout?
For 60 minutes, I love to do a combined high speed and high incline walk on the treadmill while listening to music and/or watching a mindless reality show. It really makes me feel like I’m challenging myself and using every muscle in my body to pull myself up on the incline. And it has also given me a great booty!

What 5 food items are “must haves” in your kitchen?
Costco’s Kirkland Organic Salt-Free Seasoning – Sure it is healthy, but I have just never been a fan of salty food. Economy size bag of frozen chicken breasts. – I think of chicken breasts as my “chameleon food.” I can make them adapt too almost any dish and they are a convenient source of lean protein. Frozen veggies such as cauliflower, spinach and bell peppers – Being that I am a single lady and feeding only me, fresh veggies tend to spoil very quickly. Frozen veggies of course last longer, are usually already chopped and cheaper!

Leak-proof Tupperware – I am a creation of convenience. On Sunday, I typically cook my lunches and dinners for the week and put them in Tupperware. That way I always have healthy food ready that I can just pop in the microwave.

Bottled water, water, water and more water – I live in Washington, DC and there has been way too much controversy on drinking the tap water here. Water keeps me well hydrated for my workouts and lubricates my joints for tough workouts as well.

What is your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?
“Those who can most be accounted brave are those who know best know the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then go out undeterred to meet what is to come.” ~Pericles (a gift from Tulane Professor Cinda Lanza, when I was having a really bad day)

How do you find balance in your life?
My faith, exercise and travel have become my therapy.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
It would be expected that losing 123lbs is my greatest accomplishment. However, my greatest accomplishment is coming to peace with the car accident death of my two teenage cousins and absence of my father after my parents’ divorce. For many years, I was angry at the world and God about these two things. I dealt with my anger by vacuuming in Hot Pockets and Hostess cupcakes. Perhaps my real “aha moment” was reaching a place of forgiveness.

What do you love most about your body?
I love and admire my body’s stamina when I am at the gym. My body’s endurance when working out surprises me everyday. And of course I love my booty!

Best compliment?
A cardiologist looking at a sonogram of my heart, told me that I have the heart and heart rate of a marathon runner!

What are the last 5 songs played on your iPod?
Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
Keep Hope Alive – Crystal Method
Again – Faith Evans
All Nite (Don’t Stop) – Janet Jackson
On to the Next One – Jay Z

What weight loss/fitness tools do you use that you rely on in your weight loss/fit life journey?
Good, comfortable and affordable workout clothes from discount designer stores like Marshall’s and Ross. You really can find the durable sweat resistant workout clothes there for half the price. For me, having cute fitness clothes, motivates me to workout.

My IPOD and Black Berry! A few weeks ago I learned how to stream music through my Black Berry so it’s a stand in for my IPOD from time to time.

I am a member of many online wellness and fitness communities. Discussing health and wellness with individuals from all over the world keeps me motivated and most of all EDUCATED on adhering to a health lifestyle.

My 123lb weight loss story has been featured in Essence Magazine (March 2006) and SHAPE Magazine (January 2010).

When a person is suffering from obesity-related problems, he/she usually looks for obesity help. This is a service generally provided by health institutes and other social welfare associations. Obesity help assists persons who need a clear idea about obesity, its symptoms, its common causes, its diagnosis, and its treatments.

Obesity is a severe, often overlooked, disabling chronic situation that affects all. It is also defined as a body mass index (BMI) more than 30 kg/m2. Anyone more than a BMI of 40 is considered morbidly obese. This state increases the risk of many health conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, and some cancers.

Obesity may be caused by hypothyroidism, genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, poor lifestyle habits, medication side effects and excess alcohol intake. A lot of precautions have to be taken while prescribing medicines for obesity. These medicines are not generally suggested for treating obesity because of the risks that outweigh their benefits. The common medicines include diethylpropion, fenfluramine, mazindol, and phentermine.

An experienced health practitioner can give you information about obesity treatments, including weight loss pills and supplements, surgeries and their complications, etc. Many educational campaigns about the benefits of improved diets and better physical activity are the other sources to find right obesity help. Websites created by health organizations and social service groups are devoted to providing relevant information regarding obesity issues.

The main reason for finding obesity help is the increase of poor life-long nutrition choices and the lack of exercise. Poor nutrition is the cause of not only obesity but numerous other diseases. Good obesity help will help you feel healthy, perform daily activities better, and empower you to eradicate the need for obesity help in the future. If you follow a sound, healthy nutrition plan now and exercise on a regular basis using a good quality fitness program, you’re likely to get rid of the need for obesity help. Obesity is affiliated with Morbid Obesity Surgery.

Author: Damian Sofsian
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In a world where media and societal mores hold beauty and fitness to high standards, an overweight person can feel depressed, left out, and suffer low self-worth. Television and fashion magazines bombard us with pictures of reed-thin models and actresses and athletes with washboard abs, glamorizing certain impossible ideals to a point that a normal person is destined to feel inadequate. One can imagine how an overweight or morbidly obese person must feel to be exposed to this environment.

Aside from emotional factors that come into play, obesity brings with it various health risks that must be addressed first.

Low Mortality Rate

The Center for Disease Control attributes 300,000 deaths in the US annually to obesity-related illnesses. People with a BMI of 30 or above suffer a 50-100% increased risk of premature death from illness as opposed to people at normal weight levels.

Arthritis

As a person gains weight, the pressure in the body to carry the extra load increases. As a result, overweight people suffer an increased risk of pain in the joints, in particular osteoarthritis – which affects the knees, hips and back.

Heart Disease

As high blood pressure is more common among overweight people than people at normal weight levels, so increases the risk for heart disease. Instances of high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol as found in obese patient can increase the chances for heart attack, angina, and congestive heart failure.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, is characterized by a clot in the leg veins that forms after a prolonged period of inactivity. While DVT is common among people confined to wheelchairs and business travelers who sit for long commerical flights, DVT can present a problem for the obese. Immobility plays a large factor.

Stroke

Obesity is often associated with inactivity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, the same conditions which may cause blood clots to form in the arteries. These clots in turn slow blood flow to the heart and cause strokes.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person will stop breathing while asleep. As excess fat crowding air passageways leads to this condition, obese patients often suffer sleep apnea. Lack of blood flow to the body during sleep can contribute to drowsiness during the day, headaches, and a host of other problems.

Type 2 Diabetes

Commonly known as adult onset diabetes, Type-II diabetes is thought to be caused by the body’s gradual inability to use insulin. Prolonged inactivity, obesity, and age are common factors in the increasing risk of onset diabetes. As a person gains an inordinate amount of weight, blood sugar levels can fluctuate out of control and lead to serious imbalances.

Reduce the risks associated with obesity

It’s as simple as this: the more excess weight you lose, the better your risks of serious illness will decrease. An exceptional loss of weight can be the difference between having to have surgery for arthritis or dealing with minor physical therapy. First, though, you have to lose the weight. Consult with a physician with regards to the weight loss program that is right for you, and don’t feel frustrated about the length of time it takes to be well. Losing weight doesn’t happen overnight, and with steady determination you will see results.

Kat Lively is a freelance health writer for Compuslim, hoodia pills [http://www.compuslim.com] for appetite suppression, FlowCushion, the ergonomic seat cushion for home and office, and for Rainfloresta, quality acai products for good health.

Author: Kat Lively
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

* The rate of obesity among children and youths tripled over the past 30 years; and
* Overweight people are more at risk for diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, cancer, and other ailments diminishing quality of life and causing premature death (The Boston Globe, October 11,2003).

– According to the U.S. Surgeon General report obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.

It is alarming that childhood obesity affects more than 15 percent of the population under 18 years old who are classified as overweight. An estimated 22 million children under five are estimated to be overweight worldwide. The prevalence of obese children aged 6-to-11 years has more than doubled since the 1960s as well as an increase in the number of teen boys and girls who are obese. Many of our future generation could die young because they are obese as children.

The World Health Organization says that overweight and obesity lead to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance. The non-fatal, but debilitating health problems associated with obesity include respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems, skin problems and infertility. The more life-threatening problems fall into four main areas: CVD problems; conditions associated with insulin resistance such as type 2 diabetes; certain types of cancers, especially the hormonally related and large-bowel cancers; and gallbladder disease.

Raised BMI also increases the risks of cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, endometroium, kidney and gallbladder. Chronic overweight and obesity contribute significantly to osteoarthritis, a major cause of disability in adults. In the analyses carried out for World Health Report 2002, approximately 58% of diabetes and 21% of ischaemic heart disease and 8-42% of certain cancers globally were attributable to a BMI above 21 kg/m2.

Obesity not only impacts lifestyle but can also lead to lower self-esteem, cause depression and discomfort in social situations, and significantly diminish quality of life. Qualified people are overlooked for job opportunities because they are overweight.

Statistically,
* 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
* Eight out of 10 over 25′s Overweight
* 78% of American’s not meeting basic activity level recommendations
* 25% completely Sedentary
* 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs. old since 1990

So what exactly does obesity mean? Obesity is the state of being well above one’s normal weight. Obesity has been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health (the NIH) as a BMI of 30 and above. (A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight.) A person has traditionally been considered obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight. Ideal weight takes into account the person’s height, age, sex, and build. For example, A 5-foot-7-inch adult who weighs 190 pounds would have a BMI of 30, which is considered the threshold for obesity.

Weight gain and obesity are caused by consuming more calories than the body needs and most commonly by eating a diet high in fat and calories, living a sedentary lifestyle, or both. We live in a country where food is readily available and fast food and processed foods are very convenient to our fast pace lives. Children spend more time on the computer than they do getting exercise. What people don’t realize that they are also toxic. Processed foods contain ingredients that are toxic to the body and those toxins are stored in the fat cells, creating an environment for disease.

What you can do to start losing weight right now making any one of these changes will lower your weight. Making all of them will transform your life!

* Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life. View this as a life style change and not as a diet,

* Enhance your nutritional program with a complete multivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect and our food sources have been deficient for minerals for decades.

* Start adding healthier foods to your diet such as: fruits, vegetables,lean meat and beans and stop eating foods with empty calories such as candy and soda. Soda by the way is highly acidic and it throws your PH out of balance. This also creates an environment where disease can live. It takes 32 glasses of water to neutralize the impact of 1 can of soda on your body, and it would be impossible to drink that much water in one day!

*Adding a greens helps to alkaline your body, balance your immune system and detox your body. A good one would have the nutritional value of eight plus servings of fruits and vegetables.

* Detoxify your body. Toxins encapsulate in your fat cells and are difficult to remove. Much of the weight on our bodies is caused by toxins accumulating in the fat cells. There are systems available, that are all natural, easy to use, that will help detoxify your fat cells while tighten, toning and firming the skin.

* Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.

* Find an exercise program that works for you that you can stick to. Make it fun and commit to doing a regular routine. If you need to find a group of people who will exercise with you.

* If you eat something bad for you, or miss a day of exercise, don’t give up. Instead pick up right where you left off and start again.

* Stop procrastinating and begin your journey to overcome your weight issues and return to a healthy balanced body right now. It is never too late to start a new way of living. Every day that you put it off brings you closer to more physical complications in your life.

I support you in discovering a healthy new you and I support organizations that focus on fighting childhood obesity!

Katelyn
“The Inch Loss Diva”

Author: Katelyn Mariah
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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