The Problem
It’s no secret that excess body weight has become an ever increasing concern for many people. There is a massive amount emerging evidence that points to the varying underlying causes. These range from genetics to the gut microbiome to medications. Some are controllable and some are not. But, as we all know, diet and lifestyle are some of the most important factors in which we have control. That said, not everyone has the same genetics, resources, or schedule. There are always multiple factors unique to each person that create challenges in weight loss. Needing to reach a healthy weight isn’t a mystery. What seems to be the hard part is the “how.” Even harder is the “how long.”
The Time
One of the hardest aspects of weight loss is determining how long it should take to reach one’s goal weight. Unfortunately, we have done a terrible job as a society in creating the expectation. Just look at the magazine rack in any grocery store check out line. At any given time, multiple covers feature weight loss… and almost always FAST. Not to say that it’s not good to reach goals quicker than slower. There are two big things to think about. One is that the longer a person stays at a stable weight, the more the body understands what it’s “normal” is. People with newly lost weight are at a 15% metabolic disadvantage over those who have maintained stability over years. The other factor to consider is lifestyle. If a person crashes through rapid weight loss, chances are there was a fair amount of dissatisfaction involved in the process. There is an even bigger chance that person will revert right back once goals have been met. If someone does not like the things they did to lose the weight, they aren’t going to keep doing them.
The Process
Choosing how to lose weight seems to always get oversimplified. “Just eat less and exercise.” Ever heard that? And, yes, diet and physical activity are central to weight loss. But how to best to approach these seems to be missing in the basic statement of “eat well and work out.” It would be like having an infection and being prescribing an antibiotic but no dose – you know you need to take it but what is the right amount and for how long? Even worse, well meaning (usually) people will advise they have the perfect diet or exercise routine. Spoiler alert… those don’t exist. Even if they did, they may not be perfect for an individual’s life demands or resources. For some folks, losing weight comes easier. That’s great! Not every person is them. Most people need a plan. Too often, medical weight loss clinics are little more help. Canned plans, minimal individualization, and no long term solutions too frequently leave patients returning to their pre-diet weight.
The Plan
Just like no perfect diet exists for all people everywhere, neither does one perfect weight loss plan. The first thing a person seeking to lose weight must do is set goals. These should be broken into 3 parts – short, intermediate, and long term. Short term is finding the right process to get the journey underway. This may or may not include medication. It always includes dietary and activity changes. This is when a person discovers what is good, tolerable, and undoable. Most people know the answers to these within weeks. The intermediate varies wildly from person to person. Whether months or years, this is when the goal (or near goal) is met. Here is where failure so often sets in… the long term. This is when a person transitions from weight loss to weight maintenance. When done right, little changes should have been getting made all along the way. A new lifestyle is developed gradually so that it feels like not much is different. The alternative is to return to the start. At Opteluxe, it is our primary intention to help our patients discover how to do all this and assist them through their journey.