Weight Loss – The Psychological Effects of Weight Loss

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Dieting to lose weight or for any specific physiological needs such as diabetes or allergies refers to a process of manipulating food intake in order to reduce body weight. There are innumerable diet plans ranging from hazardous fad diets to the nutritionally healthy diets. There are drug therapies like leptin, but the side effects are serious. Since the majority of people that lose weight via dieting eventually gain it back, dieting has become a way of life for a large number of Western people.
Diet and Weight Loss
Dieting, particularly to achieve weight loss only makes sense to the affluent. Where there are food shortages, dieting does not apply. But affluent Western societies admire successful dieters for their will power and discipline, as well as for their slim bodies. Diet regimes, including those for weight loss have always been there. Nutritionists have encouraged people to make dietary decisions based on the nutritional value of food and to count calories. Excess calories would pile on visible fat. Weight loss diets are based on reducing calorie intake in different proportions of fat, carbohydrate or protein. Diets must include adequate nutrition and are most effective when combined with exercise.
Weight loss diets restrict the intake of specific foods to reduce body weight. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another, as each person’s body is different. In fact, losing weight quickly may actually make it more difficult to maintain the loss over a period of time. It is also possible that reduced calorie intake slows weight loss. In fact, research has found that reduced calorie intake along with increased physical activity has a long- term failure rate of 98%. It is important to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss. A dieter can lose weight without losing much fat. There are various methods of measuring body fat percentage.
Psychological effects of weight loss dieting
Consumption of low-energy, fibre-rich foods such as non-starchy vegetables gives you a feeling of fullness. Exercise is also useful in controlling appetite, the same as drinking water and sleeping. The use of drugs to control appetite is common. Stimulants are taken to suppress hunger. There are groups that advise certain prepared foods while others train dieters to make healthy choices from restaurant menus. It should be understood that extreme calorie restriction and medication could be dangerous. Also diuretics and stimulants and an indiscriminate use of Vitamins can be harmful.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active. You can do it anywhere and at any time. It is also inexpensive – you will need a good pair of shoes with sturdy heel support. Walking will give you more energy and refresh you. It will reduce stress and help you to relax. It will tone your muscles and strengthen your bones. It will lower your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. It will also give you an opportunity to socialize with family and friends. At least 30 minutes of walking a day will not only help with weight loss, but will stimulate you and keep you in a healthy frame of mind.

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