There is no single primary cause of weight loss. However, common causes of weight gain include those related to the body’s metabolism. When weight is lost, the metabolism has to quickly adjust itself to a lower level. This causes the body to burn calories at a lower rate, resulting in weight loss.
Other causes of unintentional weight loss include but aren’t limited to, viral illness, cancer, bacterial infection (including CMV or HIV), parasitic infection, heart disease, diarrhea, and obesity. It is difficult to say whether any or all of these causes are responsible for the extra weight people gain. However, it is generally accepted that some of them are to blame. And the connection between some of these illnesses and the intentional loss of weight is well documented.
Cancer, for example, is caused by the unchecked growth of cells that live without regulation. These cells release both toxins and free radicals into the bloodstream, damaging healthy cells. Cancer cells can also proliferate because the oxygen supply they require is eliminated when physical activity is stopped. Without an alternative source of energy, cancer cells cannot survive and weight loss ensues.
Viral infections, such as colds, flu, and the common herpes simplex virus, can be controlled or even prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. It is important to keep up proper hygiene to avoid coming into contact with infectious agents such as the common cold. People who lead healthy lifestyles and are generally healthy (regardless of current health status) can successfully counter many life threatening illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. It is also important to remember that exercise and diet don’t have to be the sole solution for achieving weight loss. Losing weight through diet alone, while important, is not necessarily successful in shedding the extra pounds.
In addition, many people find that they need to combine exercise with a sensible dieting plan. Many diet plans focus on reducing food intake without providing any sort of exercise. When combined with exercise, however, dieting and exercise prove quite effective. Exercise helps the body burn more calories and it has been proven to reduce the risk of developing obesity, heart disease, type II diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
As well, exercise can help balance blood sugar levels and regulate hormone levels in the body. This helps promote weight loss and improve health. Many people suffer from hypoglycemia, a condition where the body tends to use carbohydrates for energy instead of burning natural sugar found in the body. Exercise can help the body use carbohydrates more efficiently and maintain a stable blood sugar level.
Both exercise and dieting work together to improve health, but they do not work at the same time. Exercise, while often recommended as a first step to weight loss, should be incorporated into a regular routine. However, it is important to be careful not to become too active. Too much exercise or dieting will actually cause you to gain back what you lost. It is much better to find a balanced routine that you can stick to, such as walking or swimming.
A good diet plan and exercise program are both essential for successful weight loss. However, weight loss and dieting do not happen overnight. They are both elements that need to be worked on. You cannot expect to lose weight and have a healthy diet and exercise routine just by doing one thing at a time. Combine a diet and exercise plan with a healthy lifestyle and you will be well on your way to achieving your weight loss goals.