This week this news article caught my eye. It’s about successive governments’ problems with their lack of policy implementation. Politicians love to churn out anti-obesity policies and campaigns – but does anything actually change?
Government advice on following a low-fat diet has resulted in obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates doubling in just 20 years.
I’m not political when it comes to nutrition and weight loss, and in any case I respect all political views. I just want people to be healthier and feel better about themselves in healthier bodies. Overweight bodies are unhealthy.
Following a low-fat diet is bad advice. Eating a low-fat diet of industrially produced oils, (labelled as heart healthy) leads to poor health markers, (i.e.higher cholesterol, or to be more specific higher triglycerides – the part of the blood cholesterol panel of results that actually means something about heart health and atherosclerosis).
Implementation of the right type of nutrition leads to lasting change and long-term weight loss.
The food industry projected the idea that fat has more calories per gram. If we eat fewer high fat foods we would automatically lose weight. This is not the case and has caused the opposite effect. (A doubling of the problem in just 20 years!)
So change the policy and implement the changes which work.
As for you – as an individual – to take back control of your own health, ask yourself how much time you are spending reading, checking your phone or watching TV? How much time do you spend planning your meals, selecting the best produce to put in your shopping basket and making the meals and snacks. Figure out if all this leads to weight loss!
It might be an eye-opening experience, and give you an ah-ha! moment.
Obesity and overweight is a risk factor for multiple health problems.
This article as shown in the Indian Times here is good. (I lived in India for five years, and I know how serious Type 2 diabetes is especially for the growing wealthy middle classes.) The item that caught my attention was something called
Psycho-social problems- In younger patients, obesity is related to body-image issues. Depression and other psycho-social problems are commonly seen in individuals who suffer from obesity. Obesity leads to depression and depression may in turn lead to certain eating disorders as well as some anti-depressant medication, which can add to the weight.
I know how much of a problem being overweight can bring. I used to feel so ashamed of myself. I was full of self-loathing, and I blamed myself for having no willpower or self-control. Young people today may have it even worse. They are often drawn to unrealistic images on social media that are often enhanced or manipulated to show Barbie / Jessica rabbit style proportions that are unrealistic and unachievable.
Obesity IS a serious condition and must be treated like any other disease. However, prevention of weight gain must be the goal. But, if you are already suffering from obesity, or you are not happy with your weight – what sort of example are you setting your teenage daughter? The article recommends anyone in this situation ‘must consult a qualified weight loss specialist’. Every disease responds in a better manner to treatment when treated early. Treatment delayed is treatment denied. This doctor specialises in bariatric surgery but I have been learning of the horrors and side-effects of this drastic treatment. There is a better way.
You can work on your mind – by changing your feelings about yourself. You can move towards a place where you are willing to love yourself, even if it doesn’t come naturally – with a guide, a coach, someone who has experienced it before and understands the devastating effects of being unhappy, and what can be done. Then, you can work on your body by feeding it delicious foods which don’t cause mood swings, but quite the opposite. There are foods you can eat that are absolutely delicious that keep the happy hormones pumping away – without the need for anti-depressants.
Don’t settle for setting your expectations so high (no one is ever going to look like Barbie, let’s face it, it’s a doll!) – you can’t ever achieve it. Don’t give up. Don’t change nothing by keeping eating what you’re eating making yourself feel depressed and full of despair for you or your daughter’s future.
Find balance. Find a bespoke programme, but first read my free guide that gives you fast, easy to implement tips starting today that can help you live your life in the best place possible!