Shift that weight without medicines or diets

The London Olympics has been inspirational for many of us, not just by demonstrating the wonderful sports men and women we have in this country but also in encouraging us to participate in sport and exercise to benefit both our minds and bodies.

Whilst the Olympics have been a wonderful showcase for our talented sportspeople, outside the arena there is a very different picture of the health of the nation.

Without a doubt the statistics on obesity in the U.K are alarming. The most recent report from the NHS found that just over a quarter of adults were classified as obese in 2010 and even more alarming that 3 in 10 boys and girls between the ages 2 and 15 were classed as either overweight and obese.

It is frightening to think of a younger generation of overweight children. Obesity has serious health consequences and has direct links to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is also associated with cancer.  Statistics suggest that up to 30,000 people die every year from obesity related conditions.

These health statistics are not new as we face a constant barrage of warnings and advice from various government and health agencies,  however, we have never been so overweight. The reasons are many and complicated.

Modern life although frenetic is also sedentary with many of us spending hours on in front of computer screens and monitors, affording little opportunity for physical activity. Cheap, high calorie, high fat food has never been so readily available with almost every street corner boasting a fast food outlet.

However, another factor in the increasing levels of obesity is the emotional connection human beings have with food.

Often, overeating is not because we are hungry but to satisfy other emotions and feelings from sadness and lack of confidence to boredom and loneliness.

It is much harder to change these often deep seated behavioural patterns than to change the diet. If the root causes of overeating are not understood and managed, then the sufferer will continue the dangerous cycle of overeating.

There are various therapies and programmes that can tackle the causes of overeating including the use of hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, which clinics such as The Therapy Lounge specialise in.

Hypnotherapy for weight loss with thetherapylounge.com is designed to help the sufferer retrain the unconscious mind and permanently change their relationship with food, allowing them to understand the root causes of overeating and become more in control and change the destructive behaviour.

Obesity is best tackled by not becoming overweight to start with. It is recommended that adults should do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as a brisk walk or a cycle every week and also try some muscle strengthening activity 2 or more days a week.

Exercise with a balanced diet might not make us Olympians but will keep us healthy in the long term!