Reasons for Obesity

by Martin Harshberger

Just like there is no weight loss pill or single "magic potion" diet plan to cure obesity there is no single cause of obesity.

We are living in an age of two income families, job loss, stress, and time constraints. It makes it difficult to prepare and eat healthy foods. The ad agencies, the big food companies, and the 35 Billion dollar diet plan and diet supplement industries are taking full advantage of the American people's need for instant gratification.

What weight loss research has uncovered is that there is no quick fix for permanent weight loss. A person who is considered obese must realize that no weight loss pill, no shake, no diet plan or reduced calorie bar, is going to make him or her slim overnight. Weight loss pills are unhealthy because they tend to induce jitters in people, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oftentimes does not verify their safety. Just a few years ago, weight loss pills containing ephedra were removed from the market because they were believed to cause heart problems in people.

What we struggle with as a nation is the idea that everything has to happen now; no, make that yesterday. If we cannot have immediate results, we don't want to know about it. Unfortunately, weight loss research clearly shows that we cannot expect to lose fat weight quickly; nor can we do so in a healthy manner. The only path to permanent weight loss is through a commitment to a healthier lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise and a nutritious diet.

Depending on how much weight you have to lose, you may need the guidance of your doctor to begin a new workout program for weight loss. If you merely have five or 10 pounds to drop, you can begin to take some steps to lose that weight safely. First, take a good look at what you are putting in your mouth. Replace processed foods with natural foods, and make sure to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day, more if you exercise heavily. Limit alcohol and caffeine, as both can dehydrate you quickly.

Permanent weight loss can only result from burning more calories on a daily basis than you consume. One pound of fat equals about 3500 calories. You need to burn off those excess calories or they are stored as fat, it's that simple.

Rapid weight loss from fad diets usually is made up of water loss. Muscle contains four times as much water as fat. So rapid weight loss reduces lean muscle, causing the metabolism to slow, making the diet program eventually level out and stop.

Educate Yourself about Weight Loss, nutrition and the causes of obesity.

The point of my book, Living to Be Younger, is to educate people on weight loss research. I wanted people to know the facts so that they could make informed decisions regarding their own health.

Only you can make the decision to live a healthy life by eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep. If you want to look and feel fabulous, you can. Just remember that you must put in the necessary work to reach your health goals. I believe you can do it, and more than that, I believe you deserve to live your best life. Why not go for it?

About the Author

Martin Harshberger is a sucessful business consultant, and fitness advocate. He has done extensive research and testing of nutrition, diet and exercise programs. His interest was initiated by a personal health issue, and he was sucessful in losing over 50 pounds, lowering his stress and blood pressure, as well as increasing muscle mass all at age 57. This was after he failed at the so called expert programs.