Safe Weight Loss

QUESTION: What are some tips for safe weight loss?

ANSWER:

Finding tips for safe weight loss begins with your individual needs. Few diet programs will be best for everyone. You need to begin with assessing any physical and emotional conditions that may be of concern. Of course, seeing your personal health care physician is the best way to determine the best diet and exercise program for you.

For healthy weight loss, most experts recommend a combination of healthy eating patterns and regular physical exercise. Other methods of losing weight include use of prescribed or herbal drugs or chemicals that decrease appetite.

• A safe diet should include all of the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for vitamins, minerals, and protein. The weight-loss diet should be low in calories (energy) only, not in essential vitamins or minerals.
• Slow steady weight-loss. The program should be directed toward slow, steady weight loss unless your doctor feels your health condition would benefit from more rapid weight loss. Expect to lose only about a pound a week after the first week or two.
• Setting effective goals is an important first step. Most people trying to lose weight focus on just that one goal: weight loss. However, the most productive areas to focus on are the dietary and exercise changes that will lead to long-term weight control.

Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions. Many of us learn that food can bring comfort, at least in the short-term. As a result, we often turn to food to heal emotional problems. Eating becomes a habit preventing us from learning skills that can effectively resolve our emotional distress. We must recognize first that our bodies belong to God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20). He expects us to be stewards over the good health He has given us.

Depression, boredom, loneliness, chronic anger, anxiety, frustration, stress, problems with interpersonal relationships and poor self-esteem can result in overeating and unwanted weight gain. Changing our thinking is critical. Pray before eating and give thanks. Ask God to help you become more disciplined in your eating habits and exercise regime. Ask Him to come into your life, filling the hole created by loneliness and boredom. Turn to Him to help you with your frustration, stress, and self-esteem.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8-9: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.”