Monday, April 21, 2008

Most Common Weight Loss Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Our global weight problem is a concern to health organizations everywhere as there has been a corresponding increase in health issues; the worrying factor is that school children are also affected by this, according to recent studies. To cure this problem, some people have resorted to surgical measures whereas others have decided that adjustments to their food intake and an increase in physical activity are necessary. Although no-one becomes overweight overnight, it seems that people want to lose this weight in as short a time as possible so a number decide to use weight loss drugs.

The idea behind the drugs is to quicken each person's metabolism enabling the weight to be lost much quicker. That was all well and good until the point where more research had concluded that there was an increased risk of heart valve disease and as a consequence the drugs were withdrawn. Newer drugs were developed and started to be prescribed by physicians and dieticians, some of these drugs are currently waiting for the Federal Drug Administration go ahead.

Most people have known friends or family members who have tried using diet pills and have seen tremendous improvement. To many it is a wonder drug and let's be honest, if you could lose weight that easily without having to sacrifice anything in the process, you would take them as well. The weight loss drug manufacturers have spent a huge sum on research but this cannot be compared to the amount spent by consumers.

Even with all the testing and new techniques available for manufacturers, many side effects like nausea and diarrhea still exist with the new generation of weight control pills which, incidentally, can still be purchased over the counter. You must check the packet carefully before you decide to use them because some of the other side effects can be even more harmful, like the possibility of a heart attack or even a stroke, with hallucinations, tremors, breathing problems and convulsions all recorded as side effects for users of these drugs.

The side effects vary depending on the lifestyle and health of the person and can be minimized as long as one consults the doctor first before buying them; it should be noted that if one stops using the drugs, the side effects will not necessarily cease. Problems like depression, nausea, bad mood swings, nightmares, insomnia for example have all been reported when a person has stopped taking the weight control pills.

Generally from the reports it would seem that the effectiveness of weight loss drugs is improved if they are combined with a regular exercise program and a low calorie diet. This type of diet requires a balance of the food groups to ensure a proper intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber, almost all of which can be bought at your local supermarket but may require a little preparation.

Exercising will need to be carried out if you want to benefit from the healthy food option but this probably needs to be worked out in advance with your physician. The best exercise plans should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises as this helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase a person's metabolism and assist with weight loss.

About the Author

Author: G.Wadel Find More Resources about Staying Healthy, Losing Weight and Living a Long Prosperous Life. http://amazingweightlossresults.com