Understanding Chronic Obesity

The fact that almost 42% of the population in the United States is obese provides the first clue that obesity isn’t an individual problem. It’s a collective problem. And it’s a problem that just keeps getting worse, not just in the U.S. but in countries throughout the world that have adopted a Westernized diet. At a recent conference on obesity, researchers discussed a number of factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic. They also agreed that the following cannot and do not explain obesity:

• Laziness
• Gluttony
• Sloth
• Genes
• Lack of willpower

In other words, obesity is not caused by a “personal failing.” Instead, it’s a condition that’s arisen as a side effect of modern life, and may be caused or exacerbated by nutrient-poor, high-calorie processed foods, exposure to toxins, and stress. At the Center of Advanced Wellness, our expert medical team agrees that chronic obesity isn’t a simple matter of “eating too much.” In fact, it’s possible that you’re not eating enough: not enough vegetables, not enough fruits, and not enough of the essential nutrients your body needs. That’s why, when you come to our offices in San Antonio and Frisco, Texas, we don’t put you on a “diet.” Instead, we offer science-based obesity medicine and wellness services that completely change the way you eat and help you burn off the fat that’s impairing your health.

First, don’t blame yourself

Chronic obesity isn’t your fault. In fact, by blaming yourself for being fat, you may actually become fatter! Fat shaming, in all its forms, is associated with weight gain, not loss.  When you make the decision to lose weight and take back your health, the first thing you need is support. Our team provides a built-in support system as we identify the factors involved in your individual case of obesity and customize a treatment plan.

Medications help you burn fat

Depending on your case, we may recommend short-term use of medications that speed up your metabolism and help you burn off fat quickly. These medications improve your body-mass index (BMI). But they also give you a boost of confidence as you see pounds and inches melting off without starving yourself or spending hours in the gym.

Your diet won’t be a ‘diet’

Our focus is wellness, so we don’t recommend fad diets that severely limit your calories. Instead, we think of the word diet in its true sense: The foods you eat. We help you modify your diet for life. You learn how to cut out the foods that cause inflammation and weight gain, such as:

• Sugar
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Trans fats
• Processed meats
• Simple carbohydrates (i.e., bread and pasta)
• Junk food
• Fast food

Don’t worry. Even though you may miss your old comforts for a short time, you will quickly learn to replace them with nutrient-rich, flavorful whole foods, such as:

• Olive oil
• Avocados
• Fresh, leafy greens
• Vegetables
• Berries and other low-glycemic fruits
• Wild-caught fish
• Pastured meat and eggs
• Whole grains, nuts, and seeds

In other words, we help you adopt a whole new diet that actually feeds your body and nudges it toward health. We even create customized meal and supplement plans to help make your transition easy, delicious, and fun.

We identify ‘fat triggers’

You may have food sensitivities or allergies that contribute to your weight gain. You may also have underlying conditions, such as diabetes, that are caused or worsened by obesity. Through bloodwork and a thorough physical exam, as well as taking an extensive personal history, we identify all of the factors that may be involved in your obesity. We address each of these in our customized treatment plan.

We help you move

A consequence of obesity is that it’s difficult to move your body safely when you exercise. And yet, you must exercise to attain and maintain a healthy weight and overall health, too. That’s why we start where you are. If you’ve been sedentary until now, our first recommendation may be to take short walks. As you get healthier and shed more weight, we adjust your exercise regimen. We try to incorporate all of the kinds of movement that you already enjoy as well as staples such as aerobic exercises, stretching, and resistance training.

We’re here for you, long-term

When you finally do reach your goal weight, the last thing you want is to ever have to make that journey again. That’s why we provide ongoing support with our weight-loss management team. Get the help you need to reverse obesity and regain your health by contacting the Center of Advanced Wellness office nearest you by phone or online for obesity medicine and medically supervised weight loss. We have three locations in Frisco and San Antonio, Texas.