For Your Best Life
Genetics plays a larger part in our life than we ever imagined. Certain traits, like eye color, hair color, and height, are obviously inherited from our parents. But recent research shows that many less obvious traits are determined by our genetic makeup. For example, genetics contributes to the one in three Americans who are obese. Here are five ways genetics can affect your propensity to lose weight.
If you think you are one of those people who denies that they need to get on some type of weight loss program, then read on below for a few signs that you need to lose those extra pounds in order to be your ideal weight.
There’s no doubting the value of weight management. Rather than being just a few extra uncomfortable pounds, excess weight carries legitimate risks. In fact, dropping between 5% and 10% of your weight has been proven to lower your chance of developing heart disease. This is just one of the many benefits of choosing a weight loss program. However, what should you look for in order to figure out which one best fits your needs? Are all weight loss programs essentially the same? No.
The statistics are not good: One in three adults is considered not just overweight but obese. Body Mass Index (BMI) is one way of determining whether you are overweight or not. According to the World Health Organization, a BMI index of 25 makes one overweight and a BMI of 30 makes one obese.
Is there anything more difficult than weight loss? The honest answer, perhaps unfortunately, is yes, weight maintenance.
But it is possible and the fight for it is worth it. Our dietitian Erika shares more!
Many of us eat the foods we love as a reward and then we feel terrible, which doesn’t make much sense. And yet, we do it all the time. Why is it we overeat foods loaded with sugar, fat, and salt and then groan in physical discomfort, swearing never to do it again . . . only to repeat the same process days, even hours, later?
There is a reason our program is called 20/20 Lifestyles and not the 20/20 Diet.
We all crave a little bit of sweetness from time to time, but perhaps not with all of the added sugar. That’s where artificial sweeteners might come into play, also known as, “non-nutritive sweeteners,” “high intensity sweeteners,” or “sugar substitutes.” Many benefit from their use for weight management, diabetic management, and dental care, such as in the use of chewing gum, since they provide zero calories and carbohydrates. But, are they all safe to use and how much is too much?
Stage 5 welcomes dairy and dairy alternatives back into your diet.
Maintenance is all about continuing what you have learned through this process regarding exercise, and nutrition to successfully maintain your new weight for the rest of your life.