Am I Obese or Just Big Boned?
Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Mark Sierra
There is a point in our lives when we ask ourselves about our weight. Actually, given the way we go on and off diets, there may be several points in our lives when we take a look at the number on the weight scale. More often than not, the question we end up asking ourselves is, "Am I overweight?" But there is a subset of people within this audience that would ask a different question. That question is, "Am I obese?"
It's when we ask ourselves "am I obese" and then answer "yes" that we come to a point that we accept we are unhealthy. Denying that we have a problem is what got us there in the first place. But once we finally accept the reality of it, we place ourselves on the right path to not only leading healthier lives, but actually extending our lives by making healthier choices.
To truly know whether we are simply overweight or obese, we must consult our doctor. He or she will be able to run the appropriate tests we need to make a solid determination. But for purposes of this article, obesity is defined as having too much body fat that can eventually lead up to problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and others. Even though we may not feel unhealthy now despite the weight we carry, we are still at risk as these conditions are silent killers within our bodies.
One of tests that our physician is likely to perform on us is to calculate our BMI, or Body Mass Index. This is our height and weight combined. On average, if we have a BMI that exceeds 30, then we are considered to be at risk due to our current health condition and should take immediate action to remedy the situation. No matter what solution we choose, the problem will not go away over night, nor in a week or month. It took time to get our bodies to the condition they are in right now and it will take some time to reverse the process and get us back to proper health.
If you answered yes when you asked yourself "am I obese", then you might feel apprehension and unsure of what to do. The physical signs may be obvious: our clothes don't fit us and are getting harder to find in our size at the store, our stomach folds over the waistline, we are short of breath by just walking. But we can be stubborn at times and think to ourselves that we are not "that" fat. Or we may be foolish to think that we can get started tomorrow on a new diet. Well, tomorrow comes and goes, and we find ourselves at the same weight and getting larger as each day passes.
Take solace in the fact that we are not alone and we are justifiably frightened. But there is help and lots of it. As stated before, our best resource is going to be our doctor.
Someone who is facing obesity can their level of success by making a commitment to a loved one, a friend, and most importantly to themselves. They can make a promise that they are going to lose weight no matter what. Let's say it's a friend. The friend should provide you with encouragement and also hold you accountable for your progress as you continue on your journey to meet your thinner self.
Studies have shown that it can take up to 45 days to change a habit, maybe more. It can be a challenge to "re-wire" the way we do things and fighting obesity is no exception because it involves our fondness of food. Perhaps it is a favorite snack we like to indulge in or the pleasure we have in consuming food until we have that full feeling. Either way, in order to succeed with anything, especially with obesity, we need to set accessible short term goals. For instance, trying to lose 10 pounds by next week is an unrealistic goal and is not a safe way to consistently lose fat. But trying to lose a few pounds this week, and the next, and so on, all while following your doctor's orders for the plan he has put you on is a little more realistic. Your sense of accomplishment will help motivate you further and you will feel good about yourself, both mentally and physically.
So "am I obese?" is the question that you should be asking yourself. Answering this question honestly can be the first step you take to restore your body to health whether you are overweight or obese. Be forgiving of yourself. Know that you can go back to when you were a thinner persons. You will not be alone in this journey, but you must accept that you are in charge if you are to reach a successful body weight. No amount of help and planning is going to do it for you.
Once someone has been diagnosed with obesity, they realize the long and difficult road ahead of them. Fortunately, there are many solutions available and resources to understand things like what a bariatric diet can do for them. Be sure to check out Defeating Obesity for additional Free information.
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