Healthy choices are the first step to creating lifestyle habits and a wellness experience. Everyone wants to look good and feel good. No one consciously chooses to be overweight or obese, yet, more than half the population of North America is battling weight gain and the related health problems that often accompany it. Being obese, on its own, seriously compromises human health and significantly increases the severity of many major diseases. With all the medical information available it should be easier to make healthy choices.
Obesity is a condition that sneaks up on you and develops slowly, over time, one pound at a time. It is easy to be in denial as you are slowly putting on extra pounds. After all, most people do not worry about a few extra pounds. Sooner or later though, those extra pounds cross that line into being overweight and then to being obese. At some point denial has to give way to the frustrating realization that you are much bigger than you want to be.
Everyone has the ability to make healthy choices. Obesity can be brought under control by making some lifestyle changes. Replacing poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is the first step. Developing new habits requires dedication, commitment and a real desire to slim down.
Scientific studies are unraveling the secrets of the body. Understanding how the body functions at a cellular level and how it utilizes food or reacts to exercise is changing the way we perceive health. Genetic markers and genes discovered during studies on risk factors that affect diabetes have confirmed that people really do have fat genes and they can be inherited.
The good news is a healthy lifestyle can offset the genetic predisposition to obesity.
The health risks associated with weight gain and obesity are well documented. Awareness is increasing throughout the general population and there is a movement towards better health. Nutrition and dietary information is readily available and more people are taking the recommendations seriously.
Scientists are researching and developing new products to help in the battle against being fat. More effective dietary or nutritional supplements are available to suppress appetites and boost metabolism. Weight loss programs are flooding the marketplace and offering products that may or may not have scientific data to substantiate their claims.
Before starting any weight loss program you should consult your physician to make sure that you can safely take the products or follow the plan. Another rule of thumb is research the products and claims for yourself. Google is a great place to find information. Once you have satisfied yourself that the product works and is safe for you take you can start your journey to a slimmer you, better health and making healthy choices.