By Gabe Sanders Ph.D., NSCA-CSCS
Obesity is characterized by excess fat. This disease is largely due to significantly and repetitively overeating combined with low or non-existent physical activity levels.
The consequence of obesity is poor health which can negatively influence cardiovascular, respiratory, and cellular function in addition to increasing the likelihood of premature morbidity.
The excess weight that obese individuals carry literally adds compressive stress on the joints and ligaments and will devastate one’s overall joint health. Thus, the consequences of obesity may further complicate exercise or make exercise painful.
Obesity is not OK… Obesity is unhealthy
Recently in the news and other media outlets, there have been magazine covers and companies attempting to desensitize their readers to the concept of obesity and poor health.
While shaming people for their weight should never be tolerated, conveying the idea that obesity is ok, is not true and is the wrong health message.
There is a mountain of research that suggests that obesity is unhealthy and obese people are likely to suffer from depression and exhibit other psychological disorders. The correct message should be to eat healthy foods, exercise daily and be comfortable with your body as you aim for better health.
Improve health and fitness with proper nutrition and exercise
Obese individuals can improve their health and fitness with proper nutrition and regular exercise. However, if the goal is to become more fit, remaining clinically obese while simultaneously boosting daily exercise would still not improve one’s health and fitness.
If an overweight/ obese individual exercises daily but maintains excessive weight and poor diet, they are likely consuming too many calories. Additionally, the type of calories (sugary processed foods and drinks) obese individuals often consume is not healthy and would negatively impact their heart, blood vessels, and internal organs, despite any increases in exercise.
Consuming nutrient-poor foods enhances vascular inflammation and excessive consumption of such foods would far outweigh the benefits of exercise.
Be happy! Strive for better health
Keep in mind, the goal is to be happy with yourself, understand the process and strive for better health. Obese individuals should be realistic about weight loss goals and know that losing weight is a journey, not a destination.
Weight loss and maintenance are never-ending and there is no easy fix or pills to simplify the process. However, eating right and daily exercise can and should be fun, not a chore. It is ideal to surround yourself with people that encourage you to make healthy lifestyle choices and aim to help you feel better, even if they are being honest about your health and behavioral choices.
Article’s Resources
Do, Kathy, et al. “Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic risk factors in a population with mild to severe obesity.” BMC obesity 5.1 (2018): 5.
Abdelaal, Mahmoud, Carel W. le Roux, and Neil G. Docherty. “Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity.” Annals of translational medicine 5.7 (2017).
Barrea, Luigi, et al. “Source and amount of carbohydrate in the diet and inflammation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.” Nutrition research reviews (2018): 1-11.
For more examples of other variations/exercises look under Multimedia-VDF Exercise Tips
**Consult with a physician and/or medical healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen
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