Chicago Area Weight Loss Plans - Obesity

At the Weight Reduction Center near Chicago, we can help you create weight loss plans that are customized to your individual needs. Having a weight loss plan allows you to take control of your weight loss. Dr. Lopez has helped thousands of patients fight obestity to lose weight and become healthier.

The term obesity is used to describe people whose body weight is excessive and unhealthy. According to https://health.google.com/health/ref/Obesity "adults with a body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) greater than 25 kg/m2 but less than 30 kg/m2 are considered overweight. Adults with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 are considered obese. Anyone who is more than 100 pounds overweight or who has a BMI greater than 40 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese." Obesity is a huge problem in America. Statistics from 2007-2008 indicate that about one third of Americans are obese. However, these rates are now dropping off somewhat as Americans have become much more aware of obesity and the problems it can cause to their health. One of the biggest problems with obesity in the United States is that Americans are always on the go, and typically fast food drive-thrus are the culprits behind an unhealthy diet because people simply just don't have the time to make a healthy meal or may not have the money to purchase healthy foods, which tend to be more expensive than those easy microwave fatty foods seen in the freezer aisles at the grocery store. However, in addition to eating fatty foods, lack of exercise, and medical conditions, such as a thyroid problem can lead people to have an obesity issue.

The solutions to battling obesity really depend on the source of what is causing the problem. In the case of self-induced obesity where the individual has control over the problem but chooses not to follow a healthy diet or exercise, attitude is the key to success. Americans need to cut back on high fat foods and begin a routine of substituting healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables into their diet. Combining a healthy diet and getting at least 30 minutes a day of exercise is a good recipe for fighting obesity that is self-induced. Although it sounds like a simple solution, old habits are hard to break. It takes patience and a psychological change in one's mind to except the fact that he or she is obese and has to start changing up their daily routine somewhat in order to start losing weight.

Numerous Americans try televised diets that claim their program has the best solution to weight loss. To a degree, some of these programs do work, but people usually end up failing in the diet area and relapse back into eating unhealthy foods. Some programs offer special heart healthy foods that people can order on a monthly basis, and although the food itself is healthy and usually tasty, some of these programs can be quite expensive. For the most part diets don't seem to be the ultimate solution to obesity. Eating a well balanced diet of fruits and vegetables is terrific, but every American has their weakness in the fat food category, whether it is desserts, cheeseburgers and so on. No-one has to completely eliminate fatty foods from his or her diet; it is matter of portion size and how often someone eats these types of foods. When people reduce their portion size on fatty foods and incorporate healthier snacks throughout the day (eating throughout the day is fine, small snacks are better than the stereotypical three big, "load them up" meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in combination with an exercise program, self-induced obesity can be controlled much easier. It is kind of like taking candy away from a child. When a parent figure never lets a child have an occasional snack because he or she is worried about the calorie content of the snack, the child will become unhappy and probably start to sneak such foods behind mom and dad's back. As adults, Americans act the same way. When people cannot eat what they want, they are not going to be very happy about the situation, and more than likely just do what they want and continue to eat unhealthy. However, when a doctor tells a patient that they do not have to completely cut out their favorite foods from their diet, but just have to not eat them as often or reduce the portion size, it is much easier to get a patient to comply with a weight loss program. They get their “candy” and they are more likely to follow through on incorporating healthier foods into their diet and excersice program. It is like motivation to the mind, and once the weight starts to come off and obese individuals begin to see the results, positive reinforcement takes place, and the individual has a higher chance of sticking to an exercise program and eating healthier foods in the process.

Chicago area weight loss plans can be customized to your needs at the Weight Reduction Center located just west of Chicago. Dr. Lopez has helped patients fight obesity for years and can help come up with a plan that suits your individual needs. Please give us a call at the number below for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Call today at 708-546-5900 for availability and more information.
Walk-Ins Only. No Appointment Necessary.