Weight loss takes a village. It can feel incredibly frustrating and lonely. You feel like you’re the only one. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Imagine having someone on your side, as your support person, who gets it. That person becomes your guide to effective, lasting weight loss that not only helps you lose weight but also teaches you the role of nutrition in your journey. That’s exactly what Dr. Green at Premium Sports and Orthopedics offers.
It’s time to explore a better way to lose weight, heal damaged muscles, and grow into the stronger, healthier you. An expert in weight loss helps you achieve and maintain your target weight without damaging your joints and muscles.
Why a Doctor’s Guidance Is So Important for Weight Loss
No two bodies are exactly alike. All humans are complex, and that means what works for one person won’t work for another.
You have an allergy to dairy and need to avoid any milk-based proteins. Another person doesn’t deal with that food allergy, but a knee injury makes it hard to do many of the commonly recommended exercises. That’s why a doctor’s guidance is so important.
- Diagnose and Treat Underlying Medical Issues
Sometimes, weight gain is tied to an underlying medical issue. Before you can lose weight, the condition must be treated.
A physician-led weight loss program looks at your overall health, determines if your weight has an underlying health reason, and treats that before building a personalized weight loss plan with you.
If you need medications that support your weight loss goal, there’s no shame in that. You’re certainly not the first, and these medications can be game-changers in helping improve blood sugar levels and weight loss. With a doctor-led weight loss program, you don’t have to go see multiple doctors to get the comprehensive care you need.
- Build a Personalized Plan Together
The first step in a doctor-supervised weight loss program is to meet and build a personalized plan. After a health assessment, your doctor looks at what you specifically need.
- How is your metabolism?
- How active are you?
- What do you currently eat daily? Are there foods you cannot eat?
This helps lay a foundation for what your dietary and exercise goals are for losing weight. Plus, it helps you and your doctor create a comprehensive plan for losing weight that also focuses on exercise and muscle recovery.
- Check In Regularly for Support and Additional Guidance
With a physician-guided weight loss program, regular check-ins are part of the process. It’s more about going in to see if you’ve lost weight. You get to ask questions, address concerns, share frustrations, and get the supportive care you need to stay on track.
While you’re seeing pounds shed in the first month, you might plateau and lose very little. If you’re building muscle mass, you might actually gain weight because muscle weighs more than fat. It’s normal, but it can increase your frustration. A doctor can help you through that with the emotional and mental support that’s so important with weight loss.
The Importance of Muscle Health in Weight Loss Programs
Weight loss is more than how you weigh. Your muscles are important, too. Muscles burn more calories than fat cells, which is why people have different metabolisms. The more muscle mass you gain, the easier it is to lose weight.
Stronger muscles also help you become more active. That mile walk that used to leave you aching is a breeze, so you’re motivated to walk more. You’re also less likely to suffer an injury or fall when your muscles are strong and support your joints.
Aid Muscle Recovery with Proper Nutrition
Nutrition is an essential tool in helping with muscle recovery. Muscles need the amino acids from protein to build and heal muscle tissue. Plus, it makes you feel full for longer.
Protein is the superstar when it comes to muscle. It’s made up of amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of muscle tissue. Aim for lean proteins like fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and tofu. Try to avoid processed foods as much as possible.
Protein isn’t the only food you should ensure is in your daily meals and snacks. Make sure you’re also incorporating the following.
- Complex Carbs – Provide energy (Brown rice, cracked wheat, farro, quinoa, and whole barley)
- Healthy Fats – Help with muscle recovery (Almonds, avocado, chia seeds, fatty fish, olive oil, walnuts, etc.)
- Fruits and Vegetables – Provide antioxidants to prevent cell damage (Berries, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, tomatoes, etc.)
Timing Your Meals and Snacks for Optimal Muscle Recovery and Weight Loss
While your food choices are critical, it’s also important to time those meals accordingly. Make sure you eat a snack or meal at the following times:
- Around an hour before your workout, boost your intake of complex carbs and protein.
- Within 30 minutes after a workout, eat protein to help with muscle repair.
- At regular intervals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels stable and ensure a steady supply of amino acids for muscle repair.
Hydration is just as important. Make sure you’re drinking water before and after workouts and every hour or two throughout the day. Current recommendations exceed the old standard of eight 8-ounce glasses. It’s based on weight now, but it’s more like 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters for men.
Physician-Guided Weight Loss Is Comprehensive
Physician-guided weight loss plans offer a comprehensive approach to weight loss, nutrition, and muscle recovery after workouts. There are ways to maximize the effectiveness.
- Allow enough time and expect small improvements, not overnight ones.
- Be honest with your doctor.
- Don’t avoid carbohydrates; instead, choose unprocessed, complex carbs.
- Include healthy fats for overall health.
- Incorporate lean protein in your meals and snacks.
- Listen to your body when it comes to how foods make you feel and when hunger pangs start back up after a meal or snack.
- Pay attention to unusual muscle pains and tell your doctor.
- Remember you’re working together to create effective weight loss plans and nutritional goals.
- Stay hydrated.
Weight loss may be your promise to yourself, and it may be more of a challenge than you expected, but it doesn’t have to be a process you go through alone. Schedule an appointment to see Dr. Green at Premium Sports and Orthopedics. Same-day appointments are often available, so don’t worry about waiting weeks to get the support you need.