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Archive for the ‘Health Tips’ Category

Have you been feeling tired, lately? Or out of breath? Do you find meals unappealing, and have lost appetite? Feeling confused or depressed? Well, it’s time you got yourself an appointment at the doctors, because you have, unfortunately, displayed most common Low Vitamin B12 symptoms.

Vitamin B12, commonly known as cobalmin, is a Vitamin B Complex that proves highly functional during the production of red blood cells; it also serves the purpose of maintaining the metabolic system as well as the nervous system. It has also proved as a vital intake if you wish to decrease high rates of homocysteine in the bloodstream.

Symptoms start to arise mainly because of the failure of complete absorption of B12 into the blood stream due to the absence of intrinsic factor (a stomach protein vital for digestion). As no absorption is taking place, body fails to acknowledge any intake of Vitamins B12.

Are you the one at risk?

It’s a myth to consider that these symptoms are only visible on young children, or adults and mostly vegetarians. Almost everyone can face this deficiency and need to check themselves for low vitamin B12. Pregnant women, thyroid and cancer patients all need to look at themselves, if they notice any of these symptoms on themselves; it’s extremely vital for them to have enough before matters become worse.

Alcohol abusers-beware.

Another class of people, associated mostly with Vitamin B12 deficiency, is of Alcohol Abusers; where alcohol has innumerable harmful side-effects, Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of them.

Old and young ones- take extreme care.

It is indeed true that with aging it does become difficult for intrinsic factor to be properly absorbed; hence old people and even young alike, need to watch over their diet if any of these signs start to show.

What should the vegetarians do?

It is indeed utmost true that vegetarian are at a high risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency since their daily intake doesn’t involve Vitamin B12 supplements; hence Low Vitamin B12 symptoms start to appear even if they may have taken proper meals.

What you need to know about this deficiency?

It’s not easy to deduce from the early signs that one is facing a deficiency. Lethargy, weakness, weight loss etc. are commonly ignored and people tend to find quick household remedies to them. However, this is extremely wrong. One needs to be sure of what the problem is before rushing to find a cure. And as always, a doctor’s advice will prove to be more beneficial than your next-door neighbors.

If you are experiencing any of the following on a regular basis, you just might be ignoring the early stage:
Abdominal painNumbness/tingling in hands or feetLoss of appetite followed by Sudden weight lossConstipation or diarrheaConstant feeling of wearinessSleeplessness

Your need to catch it early before it leads to more serious problems such as the following:

Incontinence

Bladder becomes ill adapt to hold urine long; leakage caused not only is harmful for the patient, but creates a much nuisance that leads to low self-esteem.

Depression, confusion, and hallucinations

This is one of the most severe neurological symptoms as it not only cripples the nervous system of the affected, but becomes a gateway to other chronic psychological illnesses.

Frequent Fatigue and Tremors

Another one of the symptoms is the body’s inability to keep energy for long. The long hours of tiredness that one feels can prove to be extremely harmful, unless it’s not properly diagnosed. Add to this, one feels sudden shortness of breath even when not committing to any labor. A time comes when body becomes extremely ill-adaptive of any small task performed, resulting in shivers and tremors.

Nausea and recurring headaches

Since the B12 deficiency leads to lower red blood cell production, body is unable to retain absorbed oxygen; hence one feels dizziness and headaches. This is the time when doctors usually detect exceptionally low Vitamin B12.

Why B12?

Because it not only helps you keep a healthy, properly functional nervous system, but help your body in creating red blood cells-an extremely vital part of your blood! Anemia is one documented disease that has been said to occur to those lacking Vitamin B12 nutrients in their body.

So, to enjoy a healthy system, and your life, take extreme caution in detecting it before it is too late.

For queries and considerations, the author can be contacted at wdcollide@gmail.com. She will respond as soon as possible.

Have you ever noticed that before a big exam or visit from the in-laws your nose starts to run, your head starts to ache and you begin to fall ‘under the weather’? This is not a coincidence or bad timing, but rather a manifestation of the intricate relationship between stress levels and health.

This relationship is based on an evolutionary response that is called the fight or flight response. This adrenaline-based response occurs automatically when we perceive danger, and was actually very useful back when we were hunting and gathering our food. We would see a threat (or target, depending on how to interpret it) such as a lion and our bodies would respond by elevating heart rate and breathing, dilating the pupils, narrowing our focus and shunting blood away from our extremities (so we won’t bleed to death if our hands get cut). This response was preparation for what would happen next: we would either fight the lion, or run away from it (flight).

The problem is that these days we don’t face similar dangers on a daily basis, yet we still have this evolutionary response hard-wired in us. During the fight or flight response, our body puts functions such as digestion and immunity on hold since they are not necessary for fighting off an external threat. Furthermore, this response is activated by both the nervous system and the hormonal system so that hours after the perceived threat is gone, stress hormones linger in our bodies. So now when we perceive things such as public speaking, school, work or family as something scary, we have an exaggerated and lingering stress response and a greater susceptibility to infection and sickness. This is why you get a dry mouth and cold hands when you have to make a major presentation, or find yourself getting sick during important (yet stressful) life events.

Something as simple as going for a routine check-up with your doctor can set the fight or flight response in motion. Many people have “white-coat syndrome” where they will have a normal blood pressure on the way to and from the doctor’s office, but when they go inside their blood pressure sky rockets. Fear of bad news, anxiety of getting a needle or removing clothing for a check-up are all very real things that can trigger an intense bodily response.

Now imagine if you were always on edge and just couldn’t relax. Your blood pressure would be high all the time, your heart would be working overtime, your digestive system would not be able to properly consume the nutrients your body needs, and you would be taking a lot of sick days! This is a formula for disaster and can put a serious damper on your well-being.

So try to indulge in at least one thing each day that is going to make you happy, whether it’s reading your favorite novel, enjoying your favorite latte or taking a nap in your favorite pjs. And be sure to take a chill pill once in a while!

Saaqshi Sharma
http://clinicaltrialscanada.com/
Connecting Doctors and Patients to the Treatment of the Future
Check out our blog for the latest health information

When you go pee, you are probably not thinking about what this activity may reveal to you about your health or well-being. However, it does not hurt to pay attention to details, such as how often you go, color, odor and any discomfort during the process. These could all be subtle indicators that something is wrong.

Pale or Weak

Light colored urine with no or very little odor is usually a result of heavy water intake. As a rule, this is the one type of pee that is nothing to worry about medically. You will probably notice an increased frequency of bathroom breaks under these circumstances, but other than the inconvenience, it is nothing to worry about.

Sweet Odor

Have you noticed a sugary sweet odor when you use the bathroom? If it is not coming from your air freshener, you will want to pay attention. Urine is not supposed to smell sweet and this could be an indicator of a serious medical condition. Generally, this can mean that blood sugar is being excreted through the urine, which is a common indicator of diabetes. Your doctor will want to run further tests if you are noticing sweet-smelling urine.

Weird Odors

Strange odors from urine can be a little concerning; however, it is probably a result of something you ate. Specific foods can result in weird urine odor, most notably asparagus. Foods like this, when broken down, release a sulfur containing amino acid. As a rule, the odor will clear up as soon as the food has completely cleared the body.

Tea Colored

Extremely dark urine can be an indicator of dehydration or in some cases blood. Kidney and bladder infections can cause some bleeding which will pass through the urine, as can cancer. When your pee is dark drink several glasses of water and check again, if it is dehydration it should begin to clear otherwise make a doctor’s appointment.

Fluorescent

Do not be alarmed if you have neon, yellow colored urine. In most cases, you need to look no further than your daily multivitamin. Beta-carotene is well-known for brightening the pee and usually means most of the supplement is passing through the body, though you are probably absorbing some nutrients from them. If you are really concerned, stop taking the vitamins for a few days and see if the problem persists.

Blood

Bright red blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper is a very scary experience, and it can be a serious issue. This is a common sign of a urinary tract infection, but it is also one of the main signs of bladder cancer in both women and men. Regardless of what you think may be the cause; blood in the urine should never be taken lightly. Schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.

Extreme Urgency

Does it seem like you always gotta go? Before you become too alarmed, you may want to take a look at your lifestyle. If you are carrying around a bottle of water everywhere you go, it is not hard to figure why you need to go all the time. Other changes such as increased fruit and vegetable intake could be to blame as they are higher in water content.

Aging and taking high blood pressure medications tend to lend to the frequent urination problem as well. Your kidneys and bladder are aging right along with you, which means there may be some frequency changes. On a serious note, men who notice a weak urine stream and frequent urges should see their doctor; an enlarged prostate could be the root cause.

Leaky Pipes

Another commonly advertised urinary problem is leakage. This can happen when the pelvic floor becomes weakened through stress of childbirth, though even those who have never had children may experience this problem. When the floor is weak, exercise, gymnastics and even coughing or sneezing can result in a small amount of leakage. Kegel exercises are good for strengthening the pelvic floor and preventing this problem. (Squeeze and release as if you were starting and stopping urine flow).

You may also experience urge incontinence, which is different from typical leakage. This happens when there is a problem in the bladder; it may fire without alert, emptying before you get the urge to go to the restroom. Make a doctor’s appointment to get a clearer picture of what is going on.

Burning

Even a slight burning sensation is usually a sign of an impending urinary tract infection. For sexually active women this is a particular problem, Close proximity of the urinary tract to the vagina and anus creates a cross contamination scenario in which bacteria can easily travel from one to the other. The good news is oral antibiotics will clear the infection and good hygiene will help prevent re-occurrence. (Women should wipe front to back)

N. Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report “It’s Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!” Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com/

Whether it’s nappy rash, oral thrush or a sweaty rash in a skin fold, almost three quarters of the population will suffer with some form of yeast infection at some point in their lives. If it’s the genital variety, most men will probably blame their female partner but the truth is that his own poor hygiene could be to blame and he is actually giving it to her.

Symptoms of Thrush In Men

There are several symptoms of thrush or yeast infection in men:

balanitis – where the male member becomes sore and red (from the Greek meaning inflammation of the acorn);

cuts on the foreskin – a regular problem which occurs in this delicate tissue if saliva or sperm is left around the penile head or trapped under the foreskin after either masturbation or intercourse. These substances contain enzymes which can cause a reaction in the elastic structure of that sensitive skin making it tighten which, in turn can encourage tearing if it is stretched back over the Glans with less than proper care.

genital or regular psoriasis – these patches of angry inflamed skin can occur anywhere on the body.

bad breath and a filmy white coating on the inside of the mouth.

a sweat rash in a fold of skin in the groin, arm pit or between folds of flesh in the overweight.

Whilst these are often treated individually, they can actually be part of a much larger problem.

Many people carry yeast in and on their bodies without even knowing. It is a natural organism, known as candida albicans, and is normally found in the digestive tract, vagina, mouth, skin and bloodstream. Its very short lifespan can be measured in hours or, at most, days and, providing you do not keep feeding it with the sugary substances it loves, the body’s natural eco-system keeps its numbers under control.

Causes of Thrush In Men

A form of symbient, its major function is to act as a third line of defence to keep the body’s blood sugar levels down to avoid diabetes, blindness or death. Whilst the body usually achieves this through stimulating the production of insulin in the pancreas and androgens from the adrenal glands, the failure of these defences triggers the proliferation of the Candida population to soak up any excess glucose.

Long term proliferation is only possible when sugary food is regularly available, as can occur when blood sugar levels are always raised due to insulin resistance – usually because too much fat has been consumed.

For some people, the yeast can proliferate and leech into the bloodstream infesting other parts of the body and releasing toxins which, in addition to the usual symptoms of thrush, can also be responsible for causing cystitis, sinus problems, constipation, diarrhea, restless sleep, bloating, lack of energy, mood swings, cravings for sweet food, food allergies and many more.

Many health professionals persist in handing out prescriptions that treat only the symptoms and this can result in a return of the infections in ever more virulent forms that become resistant to even the strongest drugs.

Repeated doses of antibiotics are a well-known trigger, along with a diet that contains large quantities of yeast, fungus, sugar and refined, processed produce. The physiological effects of stress also make a large contribution towards providing an environment which encourages candida overgrowth.

If you search the internet, you will discover all sorts of natural ‘cures’ for thrush in men, but so many of these serve only to replicate the problems with the pharmaceutical method in that they treat the symptoms of thrush in men, not the root cause.

At the end of the day, you need to make a lifestyle choice and properly address the issues behind your susceptibility to a yeast infection.

Thrush in men can be controlled if you take responsibility for your health and start investigating the causes to identify what makes things worse for you personally.

Discover the best natural treatments for thrush in men and the causes of thrush

Baby change stations are an essential part of every nursery and public toilet. As with all bathrooms, you will need to make sure the baby change station is always kept tidy and fresh to ensure optimum hygiene. To keep your baby change table presentable, you will need to stock up on a variety of cleaning supplies.

Organic Surface Spray: A multi-purpose surface spray is an essential for getting rid of harmful germs. Remember that babies will put anything they can find in their mouths, so every single surface needs to be sparkling and grime free. Choose cleaning supplies that leave light and fresh scents that won’t irritate delicate noses or skin.
Storage Caddy: Use a handy cleaning supplies caddy, either hanging off the table or in a nearby trolley, to hold spray bottles and disinfectant wipes close at hand. Time is of the essence when attending to germs and it is always a good idea to make the process as easy as possible. You should try to encourage everyone that uses the baby change table to use the cleaning supplies caddy for spot germ killing.
Scrubbing Brush: For weekly wash downs, a robust scrubbing brush is needed. This tool can be used to get rid of built up grime at edges and in corners, reducing germs and visible dirt. Use your scrubbing brush in conjunction with other intense cleaning supplies, such as pure soap or strong detergent.
Mild Cleaners: Remember that babies are much more sensitive to harsh chemicals than adults. Where dilute bleach might be perfectly fine for the regular bathroom, you will have to find an alternative solution for the baby change station. Choose mild, non-toxic, low-scent and natural solutions or even products designed specifically for babies.
Air Freshener: The baby change station doesn’t have to smell bad with the right cleaning supplies up your sleeve! Keep an aerosol can of air freshener in a sweet and fresh scent nearby or mount an automatic spray unit to the wall. Remember to only use non-toxic and hypo-allergenic supplies in the nursery.
Nappy Bin: Keep a large bin tucked underneath the baby change table for easy disposal or storage of dirty nappies. Having a dedicated bin allows you to separate smelly and germy nappies from other waste in your home or business and keeps the whole are hygienic. Pair the bin with other cleaning supplies such as large, lightly-scented bin liners.

This information is shared by Anne Mehla for Cedar Hospitality. Cedar Hospitality is well recognised for reliable cleaning supplies in Melbourne. They also provide high end kitchen equipment like stylish glassware, designer cutlery sets.

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 3 senior citizens experience a fall every year, and those seniors are now more than twice as likely to fall again. Anyone who is age 65 or older and lives alone should be protected with medical alert systems. Without a medical alarm, anxiety about falling at home can greatly diminish quality of life. Fear of falling causes many seniors to limit their activities and restrict their movement, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and actually increasing their actual risk of falling. A med alert service will allow you to enjoy living independently at home with the peace of mind in knowing that should you fall, help is always available at the push of a button.

While having a fall is the best predictor of your need for a medical alert button system, there are other factors that will help you determine your risk of falling:

If you live alone, or are alone for several hours every day or night, you are greatly in need of protection. If you fall, it is crucial that you get help right away. Every hour that you spend on the floor decreases your chances of making a full recovery. If you have been hospitalized or been to the ER in the past year, suffer from heart-related chronic ailments, or any other serious medical condition, it is strongly recommended by doctors and hospitals that you protect yourself with a senior med alert service. These conditions often require seniors to take medication that can make them dizzy, disoriented, or anxious about having a fall or injury. First alert systems can help avoid a long term health problem by alerting emergency operators quickly via our 2 way alerts monitor.

If you use a walker, cane, or any other device to assist with mobility, a Medical Alarm Systems is the best investment you can make toward your long term health. Medical alert services are for anyone who has limited mobility faces a serious risk of falling and being unable to summon medical assistance. Seniors who need assistance with dressing, bathing, and meal preparation are also good candidates for a medical alert system, as these activities offer great potential for accident or injury.

Too many elderly adults wait until they have experienced a fall to decide that they need to protect themselves with a Medical Alert Systems. Likewise, too many relatives and caregivers delay getting their loved ones protected until it seems that the only option is to send mom or dad to a costly nursing home. Don’t make that mistake. If your parent have fallen or if you worry about mom or dad falling, they should have the best medical alert system available. If they live far away so that you cannot check on them in person, even if you call them every day – you both deserve the peace of mind that only a medic alert button service can bring.

Also, remember that it is important to check out ratings and reviews of different medical health devices to ensure you order a qualified alert company. Find out: What is the quick response time, how does emergency personnel get in the home, and how do you get 1st alert medical information to the response team. Call us today and a Medical Guardian safety representative will be happy to answer all your questions!

Dev Shakya is the content writer of Medical Guardian and our company provides Medical Alert Systems and Services. If you want any information related to Senior Health problems then contact us or visit our website.

For more info visit: Medical Alert Systems

The facts on MSG dangers

Monosodium glutamate is a form of a free glutamic acid that can be inexpensively manufactured as a byproduct of food processes or through a fermentation process. It is a neurotoxic food additive that is commonly used as a flavor enhancer. While MSG does not have its own flavor, it produces a savory taste when added to foods. Animals that were given MSG in controlled research studies developed neuroendocrine disorders and brain lesions. Mice that consumed free glutamic acid not only suffered from retinal degeneration, but also became obese.

MSG is a neurotransmitter that stimulates nerves, which makes food that would normally be bland taste great. Because MSG is often used to compensate for low sodium or low-fat contents, many food manufacturers try to downplay its toxicity in order to promote their products as healthy. As a result, people who believe they are buying healthy foods are actually putting their health at risk by consuming large amounts of MSG.

MSG is addictive, which makes it a desirable ingredient for manufacturers to use in their products. People who consume foods that contain MSG usually find themselves craving the same product over and over again. This ensures that consumers will keep buying the product, thereby increasing the manufacturer’s profits.

MSG increases appetite, which can lead to a significant weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. Stomach fat is linked to serious health conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.

What are the side effects of MSG?

Brain damage
Allergies
Eye inflammation
Type 2 diabetes
Nausea
Memory loss
Brain tumors
Strokes
Diarrhea
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
Headaches
Dizziness
Brain cell death
Hypoglycemia
Speech problems
Brain swelling

MSG is widely used in the food industry, which makes finding MSG-free foods a challenge. It is often hidden on ingredient lists under different names to mislead consumers.

What are other names for MSG?

Anything with the words “Glutamic acid” or “Glutamate”
Yeast extract
Barley malt
Protease
Anything that says “enzyme modified” or “enzymes”
Malt extract
Pectin
Soy sauce/Soy Sauce extract
Anything that says “fermented”
And Much Much More

Low-fat and low-sodium foods often contain MSG as well as fast food items. Many restaurants are also known to use MSG in their food including dishes that contain sausage, chicken, soy sauce, parmesan, soups, and cold cuts.

MSG remains a controversial ingredient, and its widespread use makes it hard to avoid it completely. The best way to lower MSG consumption and other harmful ingredients is to learn how to read labels and by eating a diet composed of natural foods prepared at home.

N. Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report “It’s Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!” Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com/

The facelift is among the most popular procedures performed by plastic surgeons among both men and women. A facelift is a perfect option for restoring some of the youthfulness to your appearance and adding self-confidence as we get older. As most facial plastic surgeons will tell you, there are both good and bad reasons for deciding to get a facelift. A facelift can’t stop you from aging, of course. What it can do, however, is improve aspects of how you already look.

* A facelift can help with:
* Sagging jowls
* Deep nasolabial folds, which are the creases which extend from the nose to the outer corners of the mouth
* Double chins
* Deep creases and bags below the eyes
* Drooping cheeks

When meeting with plastic surgeons, they’ll discuss with you what kind of results you’d like to see. You should have realistic expectations of what a facelift can and cannot do. During your consultation, facial plastic surgeons will want to know about any medications you take and any prior medical procedures you may have had.

The consultation for a facelift should be thorough and should address your lifestyle habits, such as how much you drink and whether or not you smoke. These practices can affect the outcome of the procedure as well as recovery time. Once plastic surgeons have a detailed medical history they’ll speak with you about the results you’d like to see and what your options are.

During the consultation, facial plastic surgeons will take measurements of your face as well as photos. Depending on the results you seek, other procedures may be recommended besides a facelift. These could include:

* Injections to reduce wrinkles
* Procedures to improve the texture of skin
* Facial implants, such as cheek implants, to bring a fullness and youthful look to the face

Plastic surgeons will be able to tell you what’s necessary in order to have the intended results. Facial plastic surgeons will also decide if you’d benefit more from a traditional facelift or one which uses a limited incision. The traditional facelift uses an incision which starts at the forehead and continues down the hairline to behind the ear. The limited incision is much smaller and is only around the temple and behind the ear. The type of incision used depends on the kind of results you’d like.

During the consultation for your facelift, the surgeon will discuss the risks and possible complications associated with the procedure. He or she will also speak with you about the type of anesthesia that will be used during the operation. Good plastic surgeons will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure. You should always feel completely informed before deciding to have any elective surgery.

Dr. McGuire is an internationally known, leading plastic surgeon, Santa Monica based, and Chief of Plastic Surgery at the prestigious St. John’s Hospital. He specializes in cosmetic surgery, including facelift, liposuction, breast enlargement, and tummy tuck surgery and more. For additional information visit his website at http://www.michaelmcguiremd.com/

Ultrasound scans or medical sonography help the doctor to see muscles, internal organs, tendons, and during prenatal care it allows the physician to view the foetus and any impending problems with the mother and the unborn baby. This x-ray is a commonly used non-invasive procedure to give doctors images of the inside of the body. It is not very expensive, less than an exploratory surgical procedure and carries much less risk.

Ultrasound procedures can detect problems in any number of organs. An ultrasound can break up kidney and gallstones small enough so that the patient can pass them without too much pain and discomfort. Using certain levels of ultrasound scans doctors are able to break down tumours and prepare tissue for receiving certain chemotherapy drugs and used in the treatment of some cancers. A dentist may use ultrasound to clean teeth when performing oral hygiene, and since ultrasound stimulates bone growth, many dentists now use this procedure at a low dose to stimulate tooth and bone re-growth. Doctors who specialise in the eye have use ultrasound to treat cataracts. When lower ultrasound levels are used it has proven to help stimulate bone growth. Ultra sound is used to help treat varicose veins. Many people, especially women have turned to liposuction to rid their bodies of excess fat and to help reshape their body, and ultrasound has been used in correlation with liposuction. Ultrasound scans helps the doctor to discern healthy tissue from unhealthy tissue. Ultrasound has been proven to work with antibiotics in killing certain bacteria.

The asthmatic patient may use a breathing machine at home to open bronchioles and enhance breathing through an ultrasonic nebulizer. When medicine is put into the nebulizer it creates a very fine spray that can be inhaled into the lungs. Room humidifiers will dispense an ultra fine mist into the air to bring up the humidity in a room. Some stage props utilise a similar machine to create a fog on stage during a performance.

Outside of the medical profession, jewellers use a small cleaner for their jewellery called supersonic cleaners. The jewellers can use this to clean lenses, optical parts, jewellery, watches, dental instruments, surgical instruments, driving regulators and industrial parts. Like this cleaning process that a jeweller may use, ultrasound is used in dry corn milling plants to help corn slurry have higher ethanol content. The Navy has used ultrasonic radio detection for years, especially during WWII, and detect enemy submarines.

Some animals use ultrasound techniques to get around, such as bats use ultrasound to fly. There are many other species of insects that use ultrasound in order to avoid becoming pray to another bug or insect. Dogs have super sensitive hearing and can hear frequencies above what a human can hear. There are whistles on the market that owners can buy to call their dog. Dolphins, whales and certain fish utilise ultra sound. There are ultrasonic appliances that plug into electric socket to repeal rodents and bugs out of the area.

For further information on pregnancy, well being and ultrasound scans, visit Ultrasound Direct who provide pregnancy scans across a number of clinics throughout the UK.

Have you ever tried to lose weight on a particular diet and failed?

If you answered yes to that question, all it means is that you are approaching weight loss in an unhelpful way.

Weight loss is not a pass/fail situation. Indeed it is this attitude that leads so many people to give up on their dreams of losing weight.

How many times have you heard people say

“I tried to lose weight on that diet, but couldn’t stick to it”

“I didn’t have the willpower to stay on that diet, so I gave up”

Why do people talk like this? It’s part of the “diet” culture. The way that most diets are promoted is by treating dieting like an exam. You either lose weight or you don’t. If you succeed, well done. If you fail, sorry, bad luck. And people who don’t stick perfectly to the diet are “cheating”.

But just like we wouldn’t brush our teeth once and think that our teeth were clean for the rest of our lives, we shouldn’t view losing weight as a one-off event that we either pass or fail.

Managing your weight is a process. It’s something you need to learn, much like a child learns to ride a bike. When a child learns to ride a bike, we don’t tell them they’ve failed when they’ve fallen off. We encourage them to get up and try again. It would be a rare child indeed that started riding a bike the first time they got on. Similarly, if you want to change the way you manage your weight, you are going to make a few mistakes before you get it right.

Therefore it isn’t failure when you make a mistake on a diet. It is a necessary part of the process of discovering how to manage your weight successfully.

And part of this process includes being flexible with your approach. Not all methods work for all people. We are all different. Hence the approach that is most flexible is most likely to succeed. So, you should be willing to try different strategies.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and then give up when it doesn’t work out. When I work with clients, I ensure that I tailor the approach to the individual. But even then, not all strategies work as well as each other. That’s where a flexible approach is invaluable. If something doesn’t work as well as it should, I try something else. There really is no other way of finding a way to manage weight successfully.

Don’t let a few setbacks put you off. You are learning a new way of doing things. You need to keep trying different things until you discover what works. And just like the child learning to ride a bike, the only way you can fail is by giving up.

Do you want to know how to lose weight without dieting? Get the free eBook at Doctor K Weight Loss

Dr. Khandee Ahnaimugan (Dr. K) is a medical doctor, weight loss expert and author of the book “Slim and Healthy without Dieting”. He provides behavioral weight loss therapy programs to help women over 40 lose weight without dieting.