With a New Year in full swing, people are focusing their time on resolutions and commitments – and a lot of those have to do with losing weight. Did you know that over 2 billion people worldwide are considered obese? That means that almost one third of the world is obese – an alarming number considering the fact that obesity is a risk factor linked to 11 different types of Cancer. Yes, you read that right – eleven! Now more than ever, make it a goal to lose weight and get healthy – not only in the first few months of the New Year, but year-round. Need help with things you can prioritize? We’ve rounded up a straightforward, no nonsense list that you can print out and stick on your fridge, or save on your phone! The beauty is…you can start today!
- Lose weight through exercise and healthy eating
- Go to the gym, join a fitness class, or workout at home – there are plenty of resources available!
- Exercise for at least 45 minutes daily (walking briskly is a perfect start)
- Speak to your doctor about an exercise program and calculate your Body Mass Index
- Eat healthy -
- Decrease your carbohydrate and sugar intake
- Avoid sodas and sweets
- Increase your protein and vegetable intake
- Decrease your portion sizes
- Drink at least 64 ounces of water or a hydrating beverage daily, and remember to avoid alcohol and caffeine
For those that meet the criteria, bariatric surgery is an option worth considering. In fact, studies show that patients do better with bariatric surgery if they have surgery early, and prior to developing obesity-related comorbidities. If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 or a BMI over 35 with other health problems such as high blood, diabetes and/or sleep apnea, and you’ve had difficulty achieving lasting weight loss with diet and exercise programs alone, our team of fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons can help.
Happy New Year, make it a healthy one!
Seth C. Judd, MD, FACS, is a Bariatric Surgeon at Crystal Run Healthcare and sees patients in the practice's Middletown and Rock Hill locations.