{"id":565,"date":"2016-05-09T11:25:21","date_gmt":"2016-05-09T08:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dimakopoulosi.gr\/?p=565"},"modified":"2020-09-27T17:26:13","modified_gmt":"2020-09-27T14:26:13","slug":"adynatisma-agonas-antoxis-i-taxytita","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dimakopoulosi.gr\/en\/adynatisma-agonas-antoxis-i-taxytita\/","title":{"rendered":"Weight loss: a marathon or a sprint race?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This time each year many decide to get into a weight loss regime<\/strong>. The thought of wearing a bathing suit on the beach<\/strong>, feeling like prey to indiscreet looks, is enough for us to try and lose some weight even at the eleventh hour. Of course, although body<\/strong> image<\/strong> is usually the most powerful motive (baring health problems), we shouldn\u2019t forget that a healthy body weight can shield our health both in the near and distant future.\"Rabbit<\/a><\/p>\n

We need to take<\/strong> care<\/strong> of our body throughout the year and not just during the period immediately before going on holiday. If for no other reason, because trying to shed pounds in a short time period can be exhausting and stressful. A corollary of our need for instantaneous<\/strong> results<\/strong> is to opt for solutions that although lacking in scientific validation, promise spectacular results in limited time. However, in essence they are too \u201cconvenient\u201d<\/strong> to be true.<\/p>\n

Our tendency to prefer the \u201cshort cut\u201d of weight loss, right before summer, perhaps lies on a more general idea that the food we consume does not so much impact our health as it does our image. Although we do know that diet affects our health, how conscious are we of its effects and do they weigh in on our nutritional choices?<\/p>\n

The mentality<\/strong> described above is probably based on the fact that weight loss ordinarily doesn\u2019t have prompt tangible results on our health. Meaning that a healthy person that loses 20-30 kg will definitely feel the difference in his body and movement, but it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that his health indices will improve too. Getting better health wise, following a dramatic weight loss, is more apparent when there is an underlying disease like say increased cholesterol, joint pain etc.<\/p>\n

The fact of the matter is that nutrition contributes by helping prevent<\/strong> the occurrence<\/strong> of certain conditions, and that is true for healthy individuals, as what we eat effects our future<\/strong> wellbeing. That is, following a balanced diet benefits our health for years to come<\/strong>. How does that happen? We delay the onset<\/strong> of chronic health problems, like diabetes or heart disease, while also slowing down their progression<\/strong> after they\u2019ve occurred.<\/p>\n

In addition to what we described above, we should consider the fact that a person with specific nutritional needs will have a hard time changing them and adhering to these changes long-term. Hence very often we observe an intense effort for a few months, followed by the return of the aforementioned \u201cbad\u201d habits plus weight regain. Therefore beyond a timely or an enduring weight loss the question is can one sustain diet\/lifestyle changes long-term?<\/p>\n

A gradual slim down, without deprivation, based on the altering of those nutritional habits that led us to gain weight, will allow us an extended adjustment period and increase the likelihood of long-term success. For this purpose when you start your own effort, with summer looming, consider devising a plan<\/strong> that although more \u201cintensive\u201d now will be carried out, at a slower pace, even after the summer.<\/p>\n

\"Orange<\/a><\/p>\n

We have to realize that caring for our body and our health has to become a way<\/strong> of life<\/strong>. Like in a marathon race, while we run uphill we slow down whereas when we run downhill we accelerate. Similarly, for some period our effort peaks while another it declines. It wouldn\u2019t be wise though to stop the effort altogether, thinking we\u2019ll pick it up again in the future. That is we shouldn\u2019t give ourselves a grace period during which we uncontrollably and without structure<\/strong> go back to old habits<\/strong>. On the other hand we should avoid deprivation<\/strong> and exhausting diets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At any rate, and no matter what you have in mind for this year, it is important for your body to act prudently. Also, you should devise a plan whose linchpin will be your habits, that way you may locate and improve them steadily so as to avoid adding weight. Remember that any change should keep up with your lifestyle and that the ulterior goal<\/strong> is long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n

To sum up, in order to achieve the above you may be assisted by considering the following:<\/p>\n