The most common definition of obesity is having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or more. However, obesity medicine specialists also consider body fat percentage and waist circumference to account for your metabolic health.
Obesity stems from dysregulation of your body resulting in an unhealthy accumulation of fat mass surrounding your organs and within the abdomen.
It is important to recognize that obesity is not a reflection of your willpower or personal discipline! It is an unfortunate consequence of the complex mechanisms within the body. Our bodies used to be designed to store extra fat to ensure survival. This mechanism is now at odds with living in a modern society that has easy access to highly processed foods.
Over time, your body learns to defend a new setpoint, aka a higher body weight, through metabolic maladaptation. This makes obesity a chronic, relapsing condition that must be treated lifelong, just like other chronic illnesses.
Oftentimes, weight loss is a difficult and emotionally challenging journey where you feel like you have to do it alone. At Apex Weight Solutions, we offer personalized weight loss plans that follow scientifically proven methods. Best of all, you no longer have to do this alone.
Do you have questions about our weight loss program?
Call us to schedule an appointment today.
A common misbelief is that a healthy individual will have minimal to no fat mass. This is medically untrue!
Healthy fat mass is necessary for normal body functions, such as providing insulation, secreting a hormone called leptin to curb the hunger signal to your brain, as well as promoting anti-inflammation in your blood vessels through another hormone called adiponectin.
A healthy fat mass is also necessary for thyroid and reproductive health.
Obesity is different. It occurs when your body accumulates too much unhealthy fat, especially around your organs. This dysregulation in the body can cause serious health problems.
Metabolism is the process by which your body turns food into energy to fuel its functions. Excessive weight can disrupt this process and lead to various metabolic changes.
When you eat more calories than your body requires, the extra calories are converted into lipids and stored as body fat. If your tissues cannot store all the extra fat, the fat cells enlarge and trigger inflammation.
This chronic inflammation can contribute to insulin resistance, where your body struggles to use insulin effectively to manage blood sugar and fat levels. This affects your overall metabolism.
These interconnected factors often reinforce each other. Obesity causes these metabolic changes, which in turn makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain more. Together, they increase the risk of the following health conditions.
The primary factor that leads to obesity is consistently consuming more calories than you burn through daily activity and physical movement. However, multiple factors and causes can contribute to obesity.
Addressing obesity requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account various factors contributing to your weight gain.
At Apex Weight Solutions, we understand the complexity of obesity and adopt a holistic approach to weight loss. Our treatment includes a combination of nutritional changes, increased physical activity, behavioral modifications, and prescription medications.
Medications are crucial for the effective treatment of obesity. When combined with lifestyle modifications, they can offer additional support by targeting different aspects of your body's functions.
For instance, some medications help slow down the emptying of your stomach and increase feelings of fullness, which can reduce your appetite and food intake. Other medications may work through different mechanisms to aid in weight loss.
At Apex Weight Solutions, we offer FDA-approved prescription weight loss medications. This can include various injectables as well as oral medications to lose weight.
Our expert physician, Dr. Julie Kim, is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in obesity medicine. She ensures her patients receive the safest and best options available.
Your food habits, including what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat, greatly influence your weight loss journey. Making informed food choices and adopting healthier eating habits are crucial for sustainable weight loss.
When combating obesity, it is important to keep track of your caloric intake and be mindful of your eating behaviors, such as cravings and emotional eating. Avoiding high-calorie, sugary, processed foods can support your progress.
Since every weight loss journey is unique, the changes needed for success vary for each person. What works for you may not work for someone else.
At Apex Weight Solutions, we offer personalized nutritional counseling to provide tailored recommendations that address your specific needs, preferences, and goals.
While physical activity is not a mainstay of one's weight loss phase, it becomes crucial for those entering their weight maintenance phase. With that being said, physical activity is encouraged at all stages of the weight loss and weight maintenance journey, as there are many benefits of physical activity aside from just weight loss.
Strength training to maintain and grow muscle mass is vital to one's health, as adequate muscle mass is an independent marker of good health, regardless of weight. Just as cardiovascular activities are beneficial to the heart, independent of weight loss.
At Apex Weight Solutions, we offer physical activity counseling based on your weight loss goals. Our team helps you incorporate the appropriate level, intensity, and type of physical activities and movements into your daily routine.
Maintaining your healthy weight loss results over the long term is equally important when addressing obesity.
We provide comprehensive behavioral counseling to help you develop sustainable healthy habits that support a healthy weight for the long term. Our team works with you to find strategies and address negative behavioral patterns, such as overeating or a sedentary lifestyle.
At Apex Weight Solutions, we provide a holistic approach to combat obesity. Our team approaches weight loss with patience, compassion, and a comprehensive understanding of contributing factors to achieve sustainable and healthy results.
To schedule your consultation, request an appointment online or call us at 708-797-3541.
