Care Points – An Ultimate resource for In-depth Health Information and articles

Does obesity rhyme with Body Mass Index (BMI). Yes, a person is considered obese if the BMI is 30 (kg/m2) and above. BMI determines the ratio of the body mass to the height of an individual. The high rises, better life-style and improved food habits have led to the nourishment of overweight and obesity symptoms.

Recent studies on genetic components have shown increase in inheritance of weight regulating genes which poses a grave threat to the alarming rise of obesity cases. Also, an obese or an overweight person is prone to life-threatening diseases compared to a healthy person. Life style diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, osteoarthritis, hypertension, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and liver malfunction are some of the risks confronting obesity.

In addition, the official stats released by Federal Health Department and various Non Governmental Organization shows that 750 million people worldwide are overweight, of which 300 million are obese.

Measures to curb the repercussions of obesity can only be found through a strict dietary regime and a sincere approach towards weight loss exercises or activities.

A general overview indicates the tendency of fat deposits around flaps and paunches around the triceps, upper thighs, hips and buttocks in women. In case of men, the worry lies around belly, the lower abdomen, lower back and the waistline. Weight loss with the help of exercises means a minimal strain on the harms of side-effects in comparison to the intake of unbranded weight-loss pills.

One of the least strenuous and most effective exercises which a doctor can offer to an obese person to combat ‘fatty war’ is to ‘Walk.’ Striding up religiously for 15-30 minutes daily helps to burn down excessive with time without the fear of being sprained or injured. Depending on the adaptability, the duration of the walk may be added up to 10 more minutes.

Fats located around the abdomen are hardest to get rid of. So, a combined fusion of low calories diet and cardiovascular exercise (aerobics fives times a week for at 20 minutes, swimming, jogging, bicycling namely) may be the answer to all the woes of weight loss.

The gravest problem for all people who have crossed the normal hip-waist ratio is lack of time to have sufficient exercise! Well, is it so? When we know that spending time for keeping your weight in check is like investing your time, why can’t we imbibe a good lifestyle regime in our day to day life? We know it’s easier said than done! But with little effort, we all can inculcate regular weight loss regime (it should be called a “healthy life” regime) in our day to day life.

Even latest Mayo Clinic research believes that it’s not your gym but your everyday activity, pacing, fidgetiness, and restlessness that count more while losing weight. The study was centered on coach potatoes and their excess weights resulting due to sedentary habits. And the study reveals that the people if comprised activity regimen while sitting, standing, walking, and talking, they can lose calories faster. As we all know, any good diet regimen has to be coupled with exercise regimen for better and long term results. You use any diet pills or weight loss regimen, there is no alternative to bodily activity while losing those extra pounds.

Is it possible to burn calories without exercising?

Kames Levin, an MD at Mayo Clinic, calls this process as NEAT (Non-exercise activity thermogenesis). But over the years, due to technological advancements, our day to day caloric burn is reduced a lot, thanks to the machinery and equipments that help us reduce our work. Therefore, he suggests if we can increase our activity time everyday even by some time, it will help us lose extra pounds with ease.

What activities can be inculcated in our day to day life to burn more calories effectively?

1)    Shopping- Yes, your favorite hobby, shopping can help you burn more calories, especially if you like to shop in a supermarket stylishly while pushing the cart up and down the aisles. Pick up the most nutritious and healthy food items, pack them in cart yourself, and take it to counter. You will burn upto 250 calories without doubt!

2)    Laundry- well, even if you use washing machines, folding your clothes everyday gives you enough exercise if you do it for 15-20 minutes. Yes, you have chance to burn around 100 calories just by folding your clothes.

3)    Wipe and make it shine- have you tried wiping your tables, drawers, shelves etc? If you do this cleaning business for 30 minutes a day, you can lose around 100 calories!

4)    Cleaning around- feeling filthy about dirty neighborhood? Why don’t you take initiative and clean it coming Sunday for 2-3 hours? Yes you have chance to lose whopping 2000 calories!

5)    Use your feet for corner shop instead of driving. If you do this every time you need something, you tend to lose calories. Also good habit to inculcate in children from young days.

6)    Using cycle at least once or twice a week is the best form of habit you can inculcate in your daily routine.

7)    Walk to bus stop- may be this sounds foolish, but walking to catch your bus or train by walking till bus stop or station burns more calories as you always are hurried to do the same.

8)    Parking your car little away from your destination can give you pretty good exercise.

9)    Start loving the stairs instead of lift at workplace or home.

10)    During lunch break, have a brisk walk for about 10-15 minutes.

11)    Do not use phone or email while contacting an office colleague. Go to him and talk. Will strengthen your bonds too while reducing bulges over long period.

12)    At home, play actively with your kids. It can be one of the greatest exercises in day to day life.

13)    Gardening once a week will give you amazing exercise.

14)    And finally, dance around the house while listening to your favorite music!

The list above is definitely not very hard to inculcate in your day to day life. Just you need the motivation to shed those extra kilos that have potential to burden you with life-threatening disorders. If you want to save yourself with the hassles later, start with the day to day activity regimen today and find the difference!