The Natural Path To Weight Loss

Obesity has terrible health consequences, is a leading killer of Americans and is increasing steadily to epidemic proportions.

More than 20 percent of the population of California was obese in 2009, according to the CDC. Obesity is one of the most pressing health problems in the United States, and is tied to cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, diabetes and some cancers. For many the impetus to diet comes from vanity and social pressures rather than health concerns, but we say whatever motivates you to lose the extra weight is great, because the long reaching health benefits are what is important.

Many diets out there can cost between $5,000 to $10,000 per year for certain meal programs. The meals tend to be packaged and processed, are vitamin- and nutrient-poor, and usually require microwaving in plastic. They also usually do not work, as billions of dollars are spent each year on weight loss programs.

If you have dieted more than once, and failed, it is probably only 50 percent your fault. I am a fan of accountability, and what you eat, and how much you exercise is within your control. However, marketing companies specifically employ people to convince you to eat unhealthily, to "super size it" and "have it your way", the environment is full of obesogens such as high fructose corn syrup, which is snuck into everything from soda to whole wheat breads, and we live in a schizophrenic culture that celebrates indulgence on one hand, and anorexic-looking celebrities on the other. 

In a perfect world, the "secret" to weight loss is fairly simple: eat less calories than you expend every day and you will eventually lose weight. Muscle burns more calories than fat even when at rest, and exercise is the best thing you can do for yourself to lose extra lbs and feel better mind, body and spirit. Unfortunately there are pitfalls that can be discouraging: hormone imbalances from the environment and birth control pills will pack on the pounds, sleep disturbances and stress can make a person so fatigued they don't have enough energy to motivate themselves to work out. In an effort to control mood, the brain can trigger uncontrollable food cravings to regulate it's balance; for example, carbohydrates increase the amount of a feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain, but carbohydrates will also pack on the pounds which will often lead to more depression. Drugs such as Ambien have been accused of leading to sleep eating: one of my patients with a gastric bypass would often awaken horrified to find she had eaten 4,000 calories in her sleep. Seemingly innocent habits can be counterproductive to weight loss, including sleep and wake cycles, when you eat, and products which are marketed as "healthy" which absolutely are not.

Many factors can conspire to make weight loss very difficult, and working with an expert will ensure your next journey to weight loss is more successful. Have your nutritional status examined, test your hormone levels, get a comprehensive health plan built just for you, and address the underlying cause of obesity, and watch the weight come off.

For more information, visit www.integrateyourpath.com

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