Tiffany Lucas, a local nurse, encourages patients to reverse the weight gain they experienced in the last year of the pandemic.
“If you gained weight during the pandemic, you know you are not alone. While the pandemic is not over, now is a good time to say goodbye to those pandemic pounds and welcome healthy beginnings. It is more important than ever.” to make sure your body is in tip top shape to fight diseases and illnesses like COVID-19, “Lucas said.
A recent study from the University of California at San Francisco confirms what many of our scales and closets have already shown us – decreased activity and increased snacking and overeating added up, and not for them
better. The study found a significant weight gain of about a pound and a half per month after the shelters were called last spring.
Even before the pandemic, CDC data from 2017-2018 showed that 35% or more of Arkansas adults are obese. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher.
Extra pounds can increase your risk of many serious illnesses and health conditions that are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death. Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, many cancers, and other problems.
“Healthy weight loss is not just about a diet or a program; it’s about building a lasting lifestyle that includes long-term positive changes in your eating and exercise habits. Talking to your doctor about a weight loss plan that is right for you is a great first step towards a healthy future, “said Lucas.
According to the National Institutes of Health, weight loss and weight maintenance strategies include dietary changes, physical activity, behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. Your GP can help you decide which measures can support your health goals.
Tips for healthy weight loss:
– Talk to your doctor to come up with a weight loss plan that’s right for you.
-Hydrate. Drinking water can boost your metabolism and help burn more calories.
– Find a sustainable diet. Stay away from weight loss trends and choose a healthy and sustainable diet. A healthy ratio of protein, fruits and vegetables is important. Focus on nourishing your body rather than depriving it.
– A practice. Physical activity is crucial when it comes to actually keeping weight off. Every minute of physical activity helps. You don’t have to go to a gym to exercise.
-Sleep well. Sleep is grossly underrated, but it’s just as important to your overall health. People who sleep poorly have higher risk factors for obesity.
– Avoid sugary drinks. Studies show that calories from liquid sugar can be the most powerful aspect of the modern diet.
Tiffany Lucas, APRN, is an adult medicine nurse at the Adult Medicine Clinic in South Arkansas. She can be reached at 870-863-2340.
