The process of shedding pounds is a complex one that involves several biological mechanisms. In this lesson, we will explore some of the key mechanisms that are involved in weight loss.
Many people struggle with being overweight or obese. It’s a common topic during Dr. Tello’s office visits. As a doctor, she knows that excess weight is associated with potentially serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and back and knee problems, among other things.
Patients may also worry about their appearance. Whether a patient is at risk for medical problems due to being overweight or if it’s a personal health goal, then it’s the doctor’s job to provide counseling.
A few years ago, Dr. Monique Tello embarked on a personal weight loss journey. She had had two pregnancies back-to-back and had gained considerable weight, to the point where her own body mass index was over 30 (obesity range).
She was many months postpartum and realized that the “baby weight” wasn’t going anywhere. As a matter of fact, she had gained even more weight since her daughter was born.
Dr. Tello resigned herself to the fact that it took her 18+ months to put on the weight, so it would probably take 18+ months to lose it.
She researched popular diets and philosophies and chose a well-rounded, nutritious diet plan consisting of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats (and also very low in carbohydrates).
She never bought any prepared foods and used their menu only as a guide, substituting what she liked or had in the pantry where necessary. She got a small pocket notebook and started keeping track of everything that she ate. Each page represented a day’s intake, and she counted calories as best she could.
Exercise in those early days consisted of only a few minutes of sit-ups, pushups, and other in-place calisthenics at nighttime after the kids had gone to sleep (and before they woke up again overnight). Yes, she had the occasional slice of cake, glass of wine, chunk of chocolate, piece of baklava (a major downfall), or other treats.
Dr. Tello lost over 20 pounds in the first few months and has kept it off ever since 1.
If you’re interested in learning more about how science can help you lose weight, I recommend reading “The Obesity Code” by Dr. Jason Fung 2. It provides an overview of the biological mechanisms behind shedding pounds.
5 Mechanisms For Shedding Pounds
The Role of Metabolism in Weight Loss
Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy. It is a complex process that involves several chemical reactions. Your metabolism is responsible for burning calories and converting them into energy that your body can use. The faster your metabolism, the more calories you burn, and the easier it is to lose weight.
There are several factors that can affect your metabolism, including age, gender, and genetics. As you age, your metabolism naturally slows down, which can make it more difficult to lose weight. Men tend to have faster metabolisms than women, which means they burn more calories at rest. Genetics can also play a role in determining your metabolism.
The Role of Exercise in Weight Loss
Exercise is an important part of any weight loss program. When you exercise, you burn calories, which can help you create a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit occurs when you burn more calories than you consume, which is necessary for weight loss.
There are two types of exercise that are important for weight loss: cardio and strength training. Cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, running or cycling, burns calories and improves cardiovascular health. Strength training, such as weightlifting or resistance training, builds muscle mass and increases metabolism.
The Role of Nutrition in Weight Loss
Nutrition is another important factor in weight loss. When you eat a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and low in calories, you create a calorie deficit that can lead to weight loss. There are several nutrients that are particularly important for weight loss:
The Role of Hormones in Weight Loss
Hormones play an important role in regulating your metabolism and appetite. There are several hormones that are involved in weight loss:
The Role of Sleep in Weight Loss
Sleep is an often-overlooked factor in weight loss. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more ghrelin and less leptin 1. This can increase your appetite and make it more difficult to lose weight.
To Sum Up…
Weight loss is a complex process that involves several biological mechanisms. Metabolism, exercise, nutrition, hormones, and sleep all play important roles in regulating your body weight. By understanding these mechanisms, you can develop a weight loss plan that works for you.
I hope this lesson was helpful!
Here's a fun quiz to test your knowledge about the biological mechanisms behind shedding pounds:
1. What are some health conditions associated with excess weight?
a. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and back and knee problems.
b. High blood pressure, low blood sugar, low cholesterol, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and back and knee problems.
c. None of the above.
2. What is Dr. Monique Tello's story?
a. She embarked on a personal weight loss journey after having two pregnancies back-to-back and gaining considerable weight.
b. She embarked on a personal weight loss journey after having one pregnancy and gaining considerable weight.
c. None of the above.
3. What is Dr. Tello's diet plan consisting of?
a. A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats (and also very low in carbohydrates).
b. A wide variety of processed foods and sugary drinks.
c. None of the above.
4. What did Dr. Tello use to keep track of everything that she ate?
a. A small pocket notebook.
b. A mobile app.
c. None of the above.
Answers:
1. a
2. a
3. a
4. a
I hope you enjoyed taking this quiz!
Coming up Lesson 2
Click the link below...
2.The Emotional Toll of Trauma: How Adverse Experiences Can Affect Your Relationship with Food
Terms And Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Customer Support
Be the Passion. Believe in yourself.
And remember to
Amplify And Multiply Your Success Habits
Automatically And Subconsciously