Reach a Healthy Weight by Eliminating Your Challenges One by One

ByHarriet Hodgson

I am a grandmother and my weight loss challenges are age-related--arthritis, Minnesota weather, a wobbly walk, shifting calcium deposit in my ear, and blood pressure medication. Though I cannot remove all of these challenges, I can face them, prepare for them, and evaluate them. You may be at a similar point in your life.

My goals are simple. I want to get back to a healthy weight and stay there. To do this, I identified my weight loss challenges and worked to eliminate them.

First, I have made an appointment for a physical exam. During the exam my physician will evaluate my overall health, check my medications, and order necessary tests. Test results will determine the treatment.

At this age and stage of life I have arthritic joints. Fortunately, the pain is mild and my solution is to take over-the-counter medication. I also have a wobbly walk and have started strength training to counter it. According to a Mayo Clinic website article, "Fitness Training: Elements of a Well-Rounded Routine," this training increases bone strength and muscular fitness.

"Older adults in particular should include in their routine exercises to maintain or improve balance," Mayo Clinic notes. I found a series of balance exercises on the Mayo Clinic website. I started with balancing on one leg, holding the other leg up and forwards. With practice, I hope to be able to hold this position for 30 seconds, to start with, and gradually increase the time. I will try other exercises as well.

The inner ear controls balance. When the calcium deposit in my ear shifts, I cannot balance or walk very well. However, I have learned how to do a repositioning maneuver. After I have done the maneuver, I must sit up for at least eight hours. Sleeping in a sitting position isn't fun, but I am willing to do it because the maneuver works.

Blood pressure medication is my final challenge and I will probably take it for the rest of my life. The medicine slows my heart rate, which is good, and causes leg cramps, which is bad. I have learned how to stretch to remove cramps and learned how to take my own blood pressure. Most important, I refill my prescription well before I would run out of pills.

As you can see, I have faced every challenge and taken action on it. I am taking other proactive steps as well--cutting back on sugar, eating more whole grains, and striving for six to seven servings of fruits/vegetables a day. If you are trying to reach a healthy weight, think about your personal challenges and take action on them. Keeping a food diary may also be helpful.

Reaching a healthy weight takes gumption, time and patience. "Are you ready to start?" Mayo Clinic asks in its book. "Mayo Clinic: Healthy Weight for Everybody." According to Mayo, you need to identify your personal barriers and learn to cope with them. You have the power to lose weight, Mayo continues, and should "cheer yourself on!"

Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 35+ years and is the author of 30 books. She is the author of six grief resources--"Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," Lois Krahn, MD, co-author, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life," "Writing to Recover Journal," "The Spiritual Woman: Quotes to Refresh and Sustain Your Soul," "101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey" and "Happy Again! Your New and Meaningful Life After Loss." Visit her website and learn more about this busy author.

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Health and Fitness: Weight-Loss
Harriet Hodgson

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