Guest Article by Dana Brown

       Obesity is becoming more and more common in every state. We are a time-pressed nation,

fueled on caffeine and stress. Neither of those are good for waistlines and being obese can

have drastic health consequences. When trying to find a healthy balance in life, it’s important to

use wellness-focused actions, not crash diets and fads.

Take Stock of Mental Health

       Poor mental health can contribute to obesity, but obesity can also cause, or worsen, certain

conditions. Stress is also a factor in both, and can lead to worse things. Work in today’s society

is hectic and can result in ever increasing levels of stress. To combat this, sometimes one may

turn to addiction as an escape, which in turn can affect mental health and weight. Finding new,

healthy ways to deal with this stress is imperative. Exercise is one excellent way to handle

stress, addiction and obesity all at once. If you suspect you may have a disorder, or if you suffer

from addiction, talk to a therapist about ways to get healthy.

     There will always be the newest diet that promises instant, unbelievable results. They may work,

at first, but in the end, prove to be unmaintainable. A diet is not the answer, but your diet in

general is. A good deal of eating well comes down to how you plan your week and days. For

most, slow weight loss is the healthiest choice. Therefore, try not to cut back your calories too

much. Reducing by 500 a day can help you lose about one pound per week, which equals 52

pounds a year. That is a sizable change and may be aided by a regular exercise program.

      However, cutting calories alone isn’t enough. Focusing on healthy, wholesome foods is the best

thing to do. To keep your blood sugar and metabolism stable, snack regularly, especially foods

high in protein and fiber. The more fresh vegetables and fruits you eat, the better. Dairy, or other

calcium rich foods, can suppress fat storage, so pile on the cheese and put milk in your coffee.

Lastly, stay hydrated, as this can help curb cravings.

      The best exercise is not necessarily the one that burns the most calories, but is the one you do

the most frequently. Therefore, it makes sense that you should enjoy what you do, to ensure

that you do it more often, and don’t waste time and energy dreading your workout. Inviting a

friend along can help, either to the gym or for a walk around the neighborhood. You could give

yourself a reward system, and put $1 or $2 into a jar every time you exercise, and then, at the

end of the month or at a certain weight, reward yourself with something nice. Be adventurous

with classes. Try something exotic, like a kind of dance or even trapeze. Martial arts could be a

fun way to get your calorie busting in, and all while learning a new sense of discipline, too.

     Most people know that rest days can help the body recover, whether that means going for a

walk instead of a run, or taking an extra long bath instead of hitting the gym. However, sleep

affects how easily we lose weight, too. Studies suggest that those who sleep in longer, at least

seven hours a night, have their weight less controlled by genes and family history than those

who don’t sleep enough. So, if obesity runs in your family, you may be able to help yourself by

sleeping in just a bit more. You also burn more calories after a good night of sleep than after a

poor one. Sleeping well keeps you focused, and may even reduce fat.

      Many things fuel obesity such as stress and addiction. Change can seem impossible, and by

doing too much at once, you may be inadvertently sabotaging yourself. Integrate change at a

reasonable pace, discover workouts you genuinely enjoy, and you may find yourself feeling

better and more energized than ever.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com