The importance of achieving a healthy weight
Achieving a healthy weight is one of the key things you can do to extend your lifespan. It is one of five key factors that, if all achieved from age 50 onwards, extended lifespan by a massive 14 years for women and 12 years for men as shown in a recent study which followed over 120,000 people over approximately 30 years1. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, and a range of inflammatory conditions including arthritis. Being at a healthy weight also helps us feel our best, with optimal energy and cognitive ability. A healthy weight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) under 25.
Which weight loss method is best?
There are so many diets out there – a new one is launched pretty much every day. Daily calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, time restricted feeding, alternate day, interval, low fat, low carbohydrate, ketogenic, paleo, vegan, plant-based, Mediterranean, Fast 800, Atkins, DASH, Zone, Weight Watchers, Lite & Easy, Jenny Craig – the list is endless! How do we know which one is right for us?
Each diet has pros and cons. Rather than use any one specific diet for my clients, I look at what can be learned from the best diets. I look at the evidence – what has been shown to work in scientific studies, and what has been shown to be maintainable? Many popular diets have some real strengths and I tap into the best elements across them all to tailor the approach that will work best for your specific situation, needs and goals.
Successful weight loss is not about “going on a diet”. If we “go on a diet” for three months, and then “go off the diet” after we’ve lost weight, we usually go back to all our old habits, and most often put the weight back on.
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is about creating an optimal diet and lifestyle for life. It’s about changing behaviours that don’t support us, and little by little establishing new, healthy daily habits. Weight loss needs to be the result of true, permanent lifestyle and dietary changes, otherwise it won’t be maintainable.
It’s not just about calories in vs. calories out
Weight loss is not just about how many calories you eat versus how many calories you burn. Of course that plays an important role, but there are many other factors that affect whether your body will burn fat or store it. Just some of the factors that will influence your ability to lose weight include:
- the effectiveness of your digestive system / bowel function
- your thyroid function
- your level of stress
- your sleep quality
- your liver function
- whether your sex hormones are balanced
- the balance of bacteria in your microbiome
- your beliefs and emotions
It’s important to assess and address all these factors when embarking on a weight loss program, to maximise your chances of success. Ensuring optimal balance and function of the above will also improve your overall health, wellbeing and vitality!
The Kaleidoscope Wellbeing weight loss approach
As with everything, Kaleidoscope Wellbeing takes holistic approach to weight loss. My weight loss approach for clients involves:
- Correcting any functional problems and imbalances in body systems, to remove any barriers to your weight loss.
- Tailoring a weight loss program using a range of scientifically proven techniques that will best suit you and your lifestyle.
- Gradually introducing new, permanent, healthy diet and lifestyle practices – this will be your new life!
- Monitoring your progress, encouraging, empowering and supporting you, every step of the way.
The great thing about working one-on-one with a nutritionist is the ongoing accountability and support. Studies have shown that working with a nutritionist can help people make sustainable changes. Are you ready to lose weight and create optimal health and wellbeing for life? I’d love to help!
