Life Weight Loss Centre

The Truth About Saturated Fats

When it comes to weight loss solutions that work, the key is to consume healthy foods and exercise on a regular basis. This sounds simple enough, but can actually be quite a task, what with the hundreds of unhealthy foods being mixed in with the healthy foods. One particularly healthy food ingredient that has been given a bad rep for many years is saturated fat.

Saturated fat is not the enemy. When eaten in moderation, saturated fats will not affect your waistline. The kind of fat that should definitely be avoided is trans fats.  Trans fats are fats that are unsaturated, and have been known to link to certain body diseases such as heart disease and obesity.

Saturated fats on the other hand are fats that are derived from animal and vegetable sources, and provide a concentrated source of energy that is good for the body. Saturated fats also act as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D and E.

Another type of oil that has been unfairly dismissed as bad for you is coconut oil. While it is true to say that when coconut oil is hydrogenated it turns into trans fat, virgin coconut oil might not be as terrible as it appears. Coconut oil in moderation has been linked to an increased immune system, and can form part of a healthy daily dose of saturated fat. 

Weight loss procedures Sydney

If you’d like to talk to an expert about intragastric balloons or other weight loss procedures in Sydney such as gastric banding or a laparoscopic sleeve, contact Life Weight Loss Centre in Sydney. As well as these procedures, the centre also offers dietary advice, exercise advice, psychological assistance and an onsite gym. To find out more, call (02) 8999 8503.

How Smoking Can Affect Your Weight

We all know smoking is hazardous for our health. Smokers can develop a severe cough and their teeth can also turn from white to yellow. Ultimately, they can also develop lung cancer. But smoking can also have negative effects on your weight and lead to having to undertake weight loss surgery.

The heart is forced to beat faster as you smoke, placing extra pressure on the heart. When you quit smoking, the heart rate slows down and your metabolism reduces, which can result in weight gain. Most smokers gain weight after quitting, with comfort eating often the order of the day. This means people need to then find ways to build the rate back up. This will be beneficial towards health, instead of hurting it. This is not easy for people who have just quit, but the difficulty can be overcome

Exercise is one way to limit weight gain and boosts the metabolism, while nicotine patches are also useful. Playing sport, undertaking yoga or gardening is also among recommended activities for those who have quit smoking. There are several consequences that come from smoking: smokers generally carry a lower body weight than non-smokers, but in no way does this mean smokers are healthier, with the range of chemicals in cigarettes wreaking havoc with the body.

Gastric bypass surgery in Sydney

If you’re worried about your weight and would like more dietary advice, talk to the experts at Life Weight Loss Centre. The centre offers not only advice on healthy eating but also exercise advice, psychological assistance, bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve surgery and an onsite gym, delivering a complete weight loss solution. To find out more, call (02) 8999 8503.
 

Is Obesity Genetic?

Experts are divided when asked if obesity is genetic, but there is a growing chorus supporting the notion. Some say genetic factors play a significant role in obesity, while others dismiss this. If you are seeking weight loss surgery in Sydney, chances are you aren’t the only one in your family.

Factors that can contribute to obesity

There are several factors behind obesity, including your calorie balance, behaviour and the environment. Drugs and illness can also contribute to weight gain. In simple terms, if you are taking in more calories than you are releasing through exercise, you are likely to be on a hazardous road. Even a gentle walk can bring positive results.

The environment also plays a part. With more foods available and more variety, we can be easily drawn in. With busy lifestyles, we can often choose convenient options that will save time, rather than cook a healthy meal at home. Poor weather can also affect our motivation to exercise and the availability of public transport can mean less walking.

Our behaviour and ability to undertake good eating habits can also affect our weight. Small weight loss can have a wide range of positive effects on our health. Staying on your feet and maintaining a healthy eating routine are both beneficial.

Obesity and genes

When it comes to genetics, studies suggest obesity can run in families. Our genes can affect our behaviour. Appetite can be controlled, meaning some of us do not know when we are full and, therefore, consume too much. Our sense of taste can also be dictated by genes, meaning we are drawn to high fat foods. It is not as simple as drawing a clear link between obesity and genes, but there are many factors at play which relate to the issue.

If you’re worried about your weight and would like more dietary advice, talk to the experts at Life Weight Loss Centre on (02) 8999 8503.

Signs You Might Be At Risk Of Becoming Obese

Obesity is one of the most serious and rapidly growing health concerns faced by Australia today, with more than four million Australians now classified as obese. If you think you might be at risk of becoming obese, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. There are several signs you should look out for if you are worried about your weight.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The simplest way to check if you’re approaching obesity is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. A BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity, while anything between 30 and 25 is overweight.

Rapid visible weight gain

Often a sudden lifestyle change can cause the kilos to start piling on. Rather than dismissing this as something that will ‘just go away’, address the changes that have caused the weight gain and seek professional help if necessary. Warning signs include excess weight around the abdomen and legs, fattening of the face or clothing becoming abnormally tight.

Psychological and emotional signs

Changes in overall mood and motivation levels could be a sign that your weight is becoming a serious problem. Individuals who are becoming obese commonly lack self confidence, feel depressed and are decreasingly motivated to stay active. If you’re noticing these types of psychological changes, talk to a professional weight loss specialist immediately.

Weight loss Sydney

Obesity is a life threatening health issue and one that only gets worse the longer you leave it. If you’re concerned about your weight, talk to the weight loss experts at Life Weight Loss Centre today. The centre offers dietary advice, exercise advice, psychological assistance, bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve surgery and an onsite gym. To find out more, call (02) 8999 8503.

The Hotel Room Workout

Finding the motivation and time to exercise while on holidays or travelling for work can be a struggle, and too often leads to months of hard work being thrown out the window. Keep your weight loss regime on track while travelling with the simple hotel room exercises demonstrated in this video.

This basic workout consists of just two exercises performed alternately as a ‘superset’, meaning there should be no rest period between your sets. The total number of sets you complete depends on your fitness level and the length of time you have scheduled for the workout, but aim to do at least three sets of each exercise.

The first exercise is push-ups with your hands on the bed a comfortable distance apart, with your feet far enough from the bed that your body is completely straight. Slowly lower your chest as close as you can to the bed before pushing back up again, ensuring your body remains straight the whole time. Continue the set until you start to feel your form clearly declining.

The second exercise is Bulgarian split squats, performed with one leg flat on the bed and the other about three feet in front of the bed. Lower your body to create a right angle with your front leg while raising your arms above your head. Be sure to keep your torso upright and not allow your knee to pass over your toe. Keep going until your form deteriorates and then swap legs.

To find out more about weight loss solutions that work, contact Life Weight Loss Centre on (02) 8999 8503.