Why Some Weight Loss Programs Fail Failure to identify contributing factors in weight gain Not being realistic about the time that it takes for permanent healthy weight loss. Expect your dietary and exercise changes to be lifelong habits. Plan to take 24-36 months to attain your ideal weight. Constipation Poor digestion Mental/emotional issues. Mental and emotional issues in our lives affect our eating habits and our relationship with food. For many people, it is necessary to address this component of health in order to attain permanent weight loss. Intestinal yeast imbalance Wrong dietary plan Not being realistic about the time that it takes for permanent healthy weight loss. Expect your dietary and exercise changes to be lifelong habits. Plan to take 24-36 months to attain your ideal weight. Inability to burn total calories being consumed Water retention Food sensitivities Poor liver function Deficiency of essential nutrients needed for normal metabolism Food sensitivities Intestinal yeast imbalance Toxic metals stored in fat tissue Poor carbohydrate metabolism Here are Natural Ways to Weight Loss: Exercise. Exercise helps reduce weight. Research shows that frequency of exercise is the most important factor in weight loss. Duration of exercise is the second most important factor. Exercise has important benefits: Increases lean body mass, which automatically increases your metabolism – muscle tissue has a higher metabolic rate (burns more calories) than adipose (fat) tissue. Improves mood, improves sleep, improves balance and coordination, lowers blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, improves immune system function, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol and overall significantly reduces the risk of heart disease. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. Dietary plan. Never use a low calorie diet again. This is not a diet. Banish the word from your vocabulary. Replace it with “I choose to live a particular way that includes a moderate amount of good clean food, regular exercise, relaxation, fun, time for myself and caring for myself and others.” Atkins Diet…Zone Diet…Low Fat Diet… They all share a common flaw: a “one size fits all” approach. Naturopathic physicians can work with you to determine the lifetime eating plan that is right for you which will promote overall health as well as permanent weight loss. Stress Management. If you have hormonal imbalances that are caused by chronic stress, stress management will help with weight loss. It is often necessary to take a hard look at how one reacts to stress from mental/emotional issues in one’s life and how to resolve/manage/change these responses to be more healthy. Nutrition. Difficulties losing weight are often related to deficiencies in nutrients which are necessary for proper metabolism. If fats can’t be broken down properly, weight loss is difficult or impossible. Nutrients such as B-vitamins, lipoic acid, iron, magnesium, manganese, chromium, L-carnitine and Co-enzyme Q-10 are essential for proper metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Nutrients necessary for proper thyroid function include tyrosine, iodine, selenium, zinc, and copper. Food cravings and insulin resistance can also be due to nutrient deficiencies. Botanical (Herbal) Medicine Botanical medicine may be used to promote weight loss in a variety of ways: Support and tonify adrenal or thyroid glands. Support proper metabolism. Help with stress reactions and relaxation. Supplement Quality Is Important Nutritional and botanical supplements used in these treatments are intended to have a physiological effect and clinical benefit, i.e., they are effective and your health improves. Read our article on choosing a supplement to learn more about how to achieve the best results from your supplements. What Should You Do Next? If you want to consult a naturopathic doctor about weight loss, Please contact Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (By appointment) To schedule an appointment or to arrange an after hours or weekend visit, PLEASE CALL: 808-373-9966 Email: 808NaturalHealingHawaii@gmail.com CENTER FOR NATURAL HEALING 5283 Kimokeo Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96821
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