I've recently had to write an article about one of the best sold diet pills on the market. After some research, I wrote my article and sent it to my client.
Then I thought I should write some more about getting in shape, because it seems to me many people all over the world struggle with being overweight.
I have friends who are overweight - some of them don't care, they enjoy food and don't like to move around much. Others resent being fat, however they don't do anything about it. They would love to find some wonder pill that would help them lose weight - if possible, overnight, and only then they'd go to gym or start jogging / swimming / whatever. I've also watched a very good friend of mine starving herself to death because her weight would increase after drinking water (I'm talking about extra fat tissue here, not simple water retention).
I've thought about this - and I think it's all in the head - unless the problem is due to hormonal imbalance or thyroid issues.
In my opinion, keeping one's body at a decent weight is not a fashion thing, it's about staying healthy and enjoying your life. I said "decent weight", not "normal weight", because we're all different and - let's face it - "normality" is quite a damaged concept.
The Internet is full of information - how to lose weight observing this diet or that one, using those pills or others - all working perfectly, being there just for you to take.
Before starting a diet or taking pills, you should think about your body and take in consideration various aspects.
--> What is your body type?
According to Ayurveda, an ancient Hindu system of medical knowledge, the human being functions on the account of three dosha or principles that stem from the original 5 elements - earth, water, fire, air and ether. These three principles work together to keep the whole human being (both body and mind) in harmony and wellness. I will describe few of the physical traits specific to each dosha, just to give you a bit of insight into a fascinating and complex perspective on life.
These three descriptions refer strictly to the physical manifestations of the three doshas. They are by no means exhaustive. I mentioned them here because they are relevant to the subject - if you want to lose weight or you have friends who struggle, you might want to get them some important information usually ignored by too many people.
Do your research. You'll find there are tests - some of them pretty thorough - that will help you find which type you are. You will find your personality and your physical traits explained (maybe a better word would be "deciphered") with an amazing accuracy.
There are no purebreds - all doshas are present within the human being, some more active than others. Usually there's a blend of two strongly active doshas followed by the third one, almost inactive.
Once you found your body type, you have the basic understanding of your being as a whole. A bit of in depth research helps you understand the why of your metabolic rate, mood swings, general preferences and more. It's truly amazing.
--> How good is your health?
Talk with your doctor; run some basic tests - blood pressure, heart rate, mineral levels in your blood. Are you allergic to anything?
This is very important if you decide to take diet pills - you need to be absolutely sure all components of those pills are safe for you to take. Even then, make sure your doctor knows what you're doing - diet pills aren't candy. There are always side effects - just make sure the plus side surpasses by a lot the downside. Never overdose. Be patient - some pills work after a certain amount of time, so don't jump from one brand to another, you'll put your body through unnecessary shock.
Make sure you buy original products, read the prospect, abide by it.
As I've recently found out, right now there are on the market diet pills that have a complex effect in the body - they work at the same time as fat burners, appetite suppressors and energy boosters. Awesome - however, read the prospect, see if that could work for you at the minimum possible risk.
You also need to know you're healthy before deciding on an exercise plan. If you to gym, your trainer should ask you if you have any issues that could become risk factors - high blood pressure, unstable heart rate etc.
--> Did you know?... No fairy will come out of the blue to wave her magic wand and get you in top shape. On the other hand, sedentary life is not healthy - it's as simple as that. Anyone who's ever looked at a Grey's anatomy should be able to understand that the human body is created for movement, for action. Otherwise, we would have been spineless or muscle-less.
I understand some people don't like to train - while I am not inclined to lifting weights, I enjoy dancing, walking, going out, being active. I also started doing planking a while ago - this may not seem much, however I will state I feel all my muscles put to work - I love the feeling.
Find out what you enjoy doing, and get on it :)
Keep in mind that fishing or reading under a tree is considered leisure, not workout; don't cheat, it's your body! It may be hard at first, but after a while you'll enjoy feeling your muscles work, your body getting fit, your clothes getting smaller.
--> Don't hate your body. It's important to realize your body is not the enemy here. Work with it. I'm very sure your body doesn't like having to support overweight due to excessive fat tissue. Surely your body doesn't like having to deal with all the health issues that come along with being overweight, so don't treat it with hate. Psychology matters a great deal in the process of losing weight and getting in shape.
--> Talk to a nutritionist or with someone who has medical experience and a holistic perspective on life.
Make sure those people actually know what they are talking about. There are many frauds out there - no need for you to become a victim. Genuine professionals should ask you a lot of questions - about your personality, lifestyle, eating habits. They should ask you to run medical tests to get a good grip on your health status.
They should be able to answer most of your questions; when they don't know something, they should be honest enough to admit it and study with you. Listen to your intuition - if you get a bad vibe from somebody, don't work with them.
Once you find someone reliable, set a plan and stick to it until results show.
And last, but not least - if you're not a loner by nature, don't do this on your own. Exercise with friends, talk to a nutritionist - let people know you're working on being healthy and physically fit. Enjoy what you do, it's worth it.
