We all know the dangers of obesity, and if you’ve ever lived in a bigger body you’ll be well aware of the social stigmas around it as well. It’s not easy to exist in a world where unfortunately you are judged on your size, and for many people it’s not from a lack of trying. In fact, you can bet your bottom dollar that most obese you know have tried it all in a desperate bid to get healthier and be more accepted. Thankfully we’re now lucky to have medications available to us that for the first time mean that people that have struggled with their weight for many years are now able to make the changes that they want and need to make. And record numbers of people are now moving out of the obese bracket on the bmi chart and through to the healthier numbers that doctors like to see which is brilliant news. It reduces risk of cancers, hormonal issues, joint problems and so much more. But weight loss is hard on the body, and there are some things to be aware of if you’re going on a weight loss journey. Here are some of the best ways to look after yourself.
Focus on protein
Protein is the building block of our cells. We need it to maintain our muscle which is really important when you’re losing weight, as you will naturally lose some muscle as well. If you eat enough protein you can prevent this from happening as much. You also give your body everything it needs to repair and regenerate tissues. Good sources are from lean meat and fish, it’s worth adding some red meat to your diet too as it’s high in iron (and tasty if you enjoy eating it). If you don’t eat meat or fish then make sure you’re eating lots of beans and legumes like chick peas. Good quality protein shakes and bars can be handy too if you really struggle getting enough in your diet in other ways.
Drink plenty of water
There’s a lot of misinformation when it comes to drinking water and weight loss. A lot of sources suggest that you can literally flush out fat from your body by drinking more (if only it were that easy!), but sadly it just doesnt work like that. With that being said though, staying hydrated is still important as it allows your body to function properly which is what you need when it’s under the strain of losing weight. It can stop you from getting dizzy and dehydrated which can cause many issues in the body. When you use weight loss medications these can also suppress thirst as well as hunger so you might not realise you’re thirsty. So it’s important to keep drinking the correct amount through the day without going overboard (which can also be dangerous).
Take vitamins
When you’re losing weight it’s because you’re eating less calories. Which is the only way you can achieve this, but it does mean that less food is less chances to get nutrients. If your appetite is heavily suppressed you might have days without eating much at all even if you try, so make sure you’re supplementing everything your body needs. Good quality vitamin tablets can stop you from becoming deficient and can protect things like hair loss. If you have something like a Flow & Glow Wellness Med Spa nearby these are useful for treatments like IV hydration, b12 infusions and other health treatments that are especially useful when you’re cutting a lot of weight.
