Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions year after year. For those who struggle with obesity, the New Year can be a great time to focus on their health. Being significantly overweight can lead to very serious health concerns including heart disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, type two diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. Losing weight isn’t always easy, but there are some relatively simple steps that can get you started towards a healthy BMI. Here are three methods to losing weight in the new year.
Try Healthy Recipes
Trying new, healthy recipes can improve your weight and introduce you to delicious foods you may not have considered before. Dr. Balsama recommends focusing on a balanced diet that prioritizes lean protein, such as chicken or fish, to ensure you do not feel hungry. Your diet should also include healthy whole grains, like brown rice, and vegetables to ensure you get all of your essential vitamins and minerals.
Planning your meals ahead of time will help you stay on track throughout the year and save time overall. As always, you should also avoid sugary foods to maintain your health and weight. If you have a sweet tooth, try eating a favorite fruit to satisfy your cravings while sticking to nutritious foods.
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Move More
Exercising is a common addition to New Year’s Resolution lists. However, as many as 80% of people are predicted to give up on their goals as early as January 12th each year! This is often because they find their exercise plans aren’t sustainable for their busy lives.
High-intensity workout routines and long cardio sessions can be excellent for your health, but they are also difficult to implement if you’re new to exercising. Instead, make it your goal to simply move more by going for a short walk over your lunch break, parking further from the door, or always taking the stairs instead of the elevator. These small changes start to add up and are great stepping-stones to bigger fitness goals.
Bariatric Surgery
If traditional weight-loss strategies have failed, bariatric surgery is an option for those struggling with obesity. Bariatric surgery is sometimes simply called “weight loss surgery,” and includes several procedures that either restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold, impede the absorption of nutrients, or both.
Dr. Balsama performs several types of bariatric surgery, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and some revision surgeries. Each of these surgeries has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the patient. Dr. Balsama can help guide you to the procedure best suited to you during a consultation.
