Healthy Self
DR. LAUREN GOUIN, ND
eight loss is a life-long struggle for many people. Rarely does the quick diet fix last, and over time it can become harder and harder to lose weight. Oftentimes diet plans fail because they are not sustainable or because they are not treating the underlying causes of weight gain. The more research we have on weight loss and healthy body composition, the more we learn that consistent lifestyle changes help sustain healthy weight over time. Treating the causes of weight gain,
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whether behavior or other factors, needs to occur to maintain a good body composition. Each individual’s path to weight gain as well as their journey to a healthy body composition is unique. A myriad of things can lead to weight gain. When assessing a plan for weight loss, the following list of requirements may help you find the key to long term weightloss success!
Proper Nutrients
If your body does not have the tools to succeed, it is hardly fair to expect it to. Nutrition provides the building blocks for hormones, neurotransmitters and the like. We need vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fats to make our me- tabolism run smoothly. Low iron and B12 levels have been associated with anemia and slow metabolism. Vitamin D, a common deficiency, plays a role in many metabolic pathways, including inflammation and blood sugar control, both important for weight loss. There are many nutrients that play a role in our body’s weight balance.
Balanced Bowels The digestive tract is home to almost as
many neurons as the brain, is a large part of your immune system and is the mechanism for taking in all nutrients and disposing of all waste. If the imports and exports of a country are not working properly, as well as some of the highways and telecommunications, how can you expect the country to be vital and thriving? Healthy gut bacteria, regular elimi- nation and proper absorption are the founda- tion of feeding a sustainable healthy weight.
The Healthy Weight Checklist Sleep
Studies show that proper sleep not only enhances weight loss programs, but also affects the self perception of the individuals trying to lose weight. What does this mean? In order to stay motivated and maintain a healthy lifestyle, sleep has to be restorative and good.
Good Blood Sugar Control
There are many types of meal plans out there. It is hard to discern facts from fads and more importantly, to know what diet is best for you! Certainly everyone must take their individual needs into account, but overall there is one good rule: no one needs sugar. Removing sugar from your diet and support- ing balanced blood sugar throughout the day is a great foundation to whatever meal plan you decide on.
Happy Hormones Thyroid, estrogen and other hormones
can dramatically influence metabolism and weight gain. If there is an underlying condition or imbalance, weight loss can be severely hindered. Balancing hormones may be the first step to weight loss, as it will certainly be more difficult and less sustain- able if the body’s main messenger system is not balanced.
Stress Management
One hormone in particular that needs to be balanced is the stress hormone Corti- sol. This can be supported by vitamins and herbs and evaluated both clinically and with laboratory tests, however, lifestyle plays an important role in its management. Healthy outlets for stress must be in place in order for any major lifestyle changes and sustain- able healthy weight to be maintained. Under stress we often fall back into old habits of coping, which can include poor dietary choices among others. Setting yourself up for success includes not only meal plans, but stress management plans.
Activity and Exercise Being active can do more for you than
any pills, products or fad diets combined. Exercise helps you manage stress, regulates your blood sugar, boosts metabolism, and promotes healthy sleep. Finding something active that you love to do can make it seem effortless, and creating a routine will make it a familiar part of your life.
A Plan
Support from your friends, family and healthcare professionals is not to be under- estimated. Developing goals, announcing plans and seeking encouragement leads to success; conversely, the absence of these components can sabotage success. Does this mean your husband has to cook your healthy meals or that your co-workers have to stop buying donuts? Not necessarily. Support can come from online chat groups, personal trainers, physicians, or friends who share the goals or values of healthy body composi- tion. Developing a team of support can help identify weak spots in your plan as well as keep you motivated on stressful days. The more you can immerse yourself in a healthy culture, the better. With these things in place, you can
set yourself up for success. Weight gain is a symptom; understanding your cause will help you sustain lasting balance with weight and overall improve your quality of life.
Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified natur- opathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. Her office is now accepting new patients and the physicians are in- network with most insurance companies. To make an appointment, call (860) 533-0179. See ad on page 5.
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