The world has an opinion on obesity, and this creates problems for those of us who are living with the challenge of losing excess weight. Contradictory information is given to us regularly whether we asked for it or not.
- “You need to eat less carbs…
- “You need to eat more carbs…
- “You need to eat nothing!”
It’s a minefield.
Your situation is definitely NOT helped by the fact that the U.K diet industry is worth £2 billion (and globally in 2019 the loss and weight management industry was valued at $192.2 billion). This means there are a lot of people with a vested interest in what you decide to do next.
We believe in tailoring a weight loss program to each individual, not the other way around. In this blog post, we’ll share some truths to help clear the murky waters surrounding healthy weight loss so you can make decisions that benefit you.
Myth 1: You’re LAZY… Put down the crisps and go for a run!
The truth: Obesity is a complex disease and has nothing to do with your willpower, or how ‘lazy’ you are.
There are a number of reasons this advice is potentially dangerous:
You may avoid seeking medical help
Obesity is a medical condition, and you should be talking with a medical professional to make sure you have the support you need to safely lose weight. You may have an underlying medical condition that is making you retain weight, or you may need additional support from a mental health professional or a health coach to help you transition unhealthy habits that have been embedded since childhood. Working alongside your doctor can help you lose weight safely.
Sudden changes in your exercise regime can be dangerous
If you are not particularly active, suddenly embarking on an intense exercise regime without consulting a professional first is dangerous.
It’s not only the risk of damaging a muscle or a tendon, which will further slow down your progress, but you may trigger a medical emergency.
Start slowly, start walking to strengthen your joints, and listen to your body instead of the internet gurus (and maybe your nan). And go chat to your doctor.
A calorie is not a calorie
You know that 10 calories worth of carrots are better for you than a pint of zero-calorie cola… and yet when it comes to weight loss - we often obsess over how many calories eaten in a day, regardless of the nutrient density of our food, and the other health benefits that they give.
If you have decided a calorie-controlled diet is best for you, try to focus more on nutrient density, than on the number of calories. Your longer-term health will thank you for it. Plus, eating fibre rich foods like fruit, vegetables and whole grains can help you feel fuller.
Myth 2: Weight loss should be measured by the number of Kg (or Ilbs) you ‘lose’
Daily measurements can lead to frequent moments of despair (and can trigger unhelpful behaviour to get things “back on track”).
Truth: You should measure your success with a health focussed goal stick.
Consider changing your success parameters to something that makes you feel good. Things like:
- Blood pressure
- Diet quality
- Physical activity
- How you feel about yourself
- Which clothes fit
- How close you are to proudly marching outside in a swim suit
Rephrase weight loss
The way you talk about weight can affect the way you feel about losing weight.
If you tell people you’re losing weight, instead of working towards lowering your blood pressure - the conversation is all about your numbers.
And weight LOST… is weight that can be GAINED, which isn't motivating.
So if you need to talk about weight consider a reframe- try talking about weight that you have deleted. It’s a small change that has a profoundly different feel, and can really help you move towards sustainable weight loss.
Supporting weight loss with Saxenda
Moving to a calorie controlled diet can be hard. If you find you need help managing feelings of hunger, you may be interested in trying an appetite suppressant. Saxenda (some call it “the skinny pen”) is an injection that helps regulate your hunger hormone GLP-1 which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.
The prescription can be signed off by our in house team of doctors, so you can try Saxenda from the convenience of your home if you live in the U.K.
Get more information about trying Saxenda here
(and how to get free access to a health coach)
In summary
Obesity is a hot topic, and with that, you’re likely bombarded with contradictory information. Debunking these popular myths should help you develop a more tailored approach to a weight loss program that suits you.
If you feel you need our help with this, click here to learn more about our weight support products.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/food-trends-2016/do-not-follow-food-trends
[accessed January 7th 2022]
https://www.saxenda.com/about-saxenda/how-it-works.html
[accessed January 9th 2022]
Author: Gemma Boak
Medically reviewed by: Superintendent pharmacist Margaret Hudson BSc(Hons)MRPharmS 14/01/22