Although in most cases gaining a few extra pounds is simply the result of eating too much and exercising too little, sometimes it can be a “red flag” for a health condition. If you’ve recently gained weight and are planning a diet to lose the extra pounds, visiting your doctor for a thorough checkup is a good first step. Even if you find that you don’t have any health issues, it can be prudent to get your doctor’s approval on your weight loss diet plan. In fact, your doctor has the kind of health information and resources he or she needs in order to suggest a weight loss plan that would work well for you. Here are some health-related weight loss tips to keep in mind:
Thyroid Issues
The thyroid is very important when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. If a person’s thyroid is over-active, the end result can be drastic and unhealthy weight loss. However, if your thyroid is sluggish and under-active, weight gain is often the end result.
A sluggish thyroid and slow metabolism can also make it difficult to lose the extra pounds, even when dieting. If you’ve recently gained weight even though you don’t feel as though your lifestyle has changed significantly and you don’t think you’re overeating, having your doctor check your thyroid can be a good idea. Of course, even if your thyroid is working fine, it’s considered normal for a person’s metabolism to slow down a little as he or she ages. If this is the case for you, engaging in some daily exercise can help speed your metabolism up a bit.
Depression
Depression can affect people in many different ways. Although sometimes a depressed individual loses interest in eating, other times eating becomes a tool that is used to help lift one’s spirits. Additionally, many times a person who is depressed tends to slow down and become more sedentary than usual. When this happens, weight gain can be the end result.
It can sometimes be difficult to figure out if you’re just feeling a little “blue” or if you really have a problem with depression. A visit to your doctor can help you figure things out. If he or she diagnoses you with depression, there are medications that can help. Of course, if you’re just feeling a little bit “blue,” adding some extra exercise to your daily regime and improving the quality of your diet could help. You might be surprised to find out how much better you feel after an invigorating walk around the neighborhood or a game of tennis with a friend.
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