Almost everyone has that one friend who can eat anything he or she wants and never gain a pound; at the same time, most people know at least one person who made the decision to shed 20 pounds and accomplished that goal with just a few short weeks of cutting calories. Despite what those select few, along with the countless fad diet and miracle fat-burning supplement creators, would have you believe, losing weight isn’t always so simple. In fact, there’s a far less publicized element of the industry. Behind every success story is a long line of failures no one ever wants to talk about, and it’s only through this trial-and-error scenario true triumph is found.
Cutting calories is certainly important in weight loss efforts, but you have to be careful not to eliminate vital nutrients while doing so. Without the right allotments of vitamins, minerals, calories, and even fat, your body isn’t going to cooperate. It could end up feeding itself off the protein in your own muscles, hampering your ability to burn calories in the future. Proper Nutrition Care during your weight loss journey can help ensure fat is being burned rather than muscle.
Foods consumed each day must also provide energy and lasting fulfillment instead of empty calories known for leaving people hungry shortly after mealtime. Beverage choice is crucial as well. Although caffeine offers a satisfying boost of energy, it places unnecessary physical stress on the body, making weight loss more difficult. Water is obviously the best alternative; however, those low-calorie flavor packets can be enjoyed in moderation.
Nutrition Care extends beyond the realm of helping understand which foods and proportions are appropriate. Supplements have flooded the market, and while a handful of them actually live up to their claims, most are more harmful than helpful. Vitamin B12, most potent in its injectable form, can boost the body’s natural ability to burn fat. Prescription appetite suppressants have been proven both safe and effective.
Each is only legitimately available from a physician, so those recommendations about visiting a doctor before starting any weight loss regimen are far more than just hype. Losing weight does not come with a one-size-fits-all guarantee. The process is different for each person. Contact Allegheny Medical Integrated Health Services to find the right combination of nutrition, exercise and supplements to help you reach your goals.
