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Losing weight can be a real uphill task. But choosing an ideal weight loss programme could be even tougher. Is it better to go to a clinic or should you try on your own? How fast should you lose weight? These are some questions you should consider. For those who are constantly fighting fat, there are numerous weight loss programmes and health clinics that help you not only with the battle of the girth but a complete lifestyle change as well. Most clinics say their programmes are custom made to suit the individual's body type, medical history and of course age. These include diet modification, exercise routine and lifestyle changes. Psychological counselling and supportive therapies are also important as many people come with heavier burdens than just their weight. They don't address weight loss as a problem. It's one manifestation; they come up with a basic sense of mild depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. They might even be talking of bad relationships. So the symptoms or trigger points may be very different from the weight loss, but in course of therapy we do find out that one of the variables that brings about the problem that the patient addresses is the weight problem. Contrary to popular belief, eating less or banning certain foods to lose weight is not always the right thing to do. Self-made diets can do more harm than good. A balanced diet along with a moderate exercise plan is what works best. Losing more than 4 to 5 kgs a month could actually have adverse effects. The basic problem with rapid weight loss is one, the rebound weight gain that means if you are not able to put in the same amount of exercise, you gain double the amount of weight that you lost in one month. Two, if you are loosing very rapid weight because of the low caloric diet, you tend to have certain problems within the body. The problem with electrolytes, sodium, potassium, which are very important substances in the body, directly affects the heart. Also, effects of thyroid hormones cause defective thermo regulation, decrease in body temperature, precipitation of gallstones. Exercising is an important part of any successful weight loss programme. This can either be a strenuous workout in a state-of-the-art gym or a brisk walk in the neighborhood park. Most health clinics offer some passive ways of exercising like spot reduction therapies and body massages. Choosing a weight loss programme is not easy. An ideal clinic should have a holistic approach to losing weight, which caters to both body and mind. Counseling sessions and behavioral therapy should form an integral part of the programme. The success rate as well as the qualifications of the experts is very important. An ideal clinic should be well equipped with all the facilities and should have a committed follow up plan. And finally, remember there are no short cuts. Losing weight is hard work. The first thing they need to have is a positive attitude. They need to be self disciplined too. There are no magical wands. Efforts have to be put in. I also feel they need to have an open mind to diet modifications because it is basically irregular habits that put people into this condition. People also need to understand the repercussions of this problem on their health and body for which they need to go through medical check ups. When it comes to losing weight, what works for one might not work for another. It is essential to pick a weight loss programme that suits your pockets and lifestyle and also gets you the results in the healthiest way. It is you who ultimately make any programme a success. |
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