The American Medical Association now classifies obesity as an epidemic. In our culture of super-sized meals and all-you-can-eat entries, the statistic is two out of three U. S. adults are now overweight. This is up from the 1960’s when fewer than one out of four was classified as overweight or obese. The risk of being overweight is magnified when obesity starts in childhood.
If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid), and gallbladder disease. Being overweight can also cause problems such as sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep), arthritis, and osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints). The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems. Obesity now is just behind tobacco in causing premature death.
There is some good news though. Weight loss can help improve the harmful effects of being overweight. Studies show that you can improve your health by losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds, or 5 to 10 percent of your body weight. This may help improve many of the problems linked to being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Even a small weight loss can improve your health. However, many overweight people have difficulty reaching their healthy body weight.
Many Americans still have an apathy concerning weight loss even taking in account all the health problems. They are loath to start a diet to shed these unhealthy pounds even when confronted by the fact of disease and the risk of loss of life counted not in days, but years.
Let me tell you a bit about my situation. I had always had a thinnish body frame until I went through menopause. Then it seemed that everything I ate (and I do admit that I over indulged – everything just tasted so good) went to fat. Before I knew it, or really realized it, I was up several dress sizes. I started to feel bad, had trouble doing the activities I wanted to do, and had a terrible time falling asleep. THEN came all the diets I tried… all of which had no lasting effect. In fact, I was heavier shortly after each one than I was before I started . I would stick to the diet for a while, then go back to my old eating habits. This all stops!! TODAY!
You are invited to join me on a journey to a healthier weight. This is not a diet, but a way to a new lifestyle, a new you. I can show you how to loose weight, have more energy, a happier frame of mind, better self-image, and regain control of your life. We will go though this together. I have so much to live for, and you do too! To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Take care of yourself, and love yourself.
Frances Lewis
http://www.yourbestweightlosssite.com
Frances Lewis received her BS in Natural Science from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. She is a Medical Technologist registered nationally with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists for 30 + years.
Her passion is to teach and help others gain control of their lives and their weight.
