There are a number of ways in which you can get healthy and stay healthy. Numerous fitness programs, hospitals, and health clinics offer their own sage advice and prescriptions for a healthy lifestyle. However, there are actually only three main types of healthy living programs as recommended by most doctors. They are weight reduction, weight management, and disease prevention programs. Here is more information on each of these, and how each of these programs work.
Weight Reduction
Weight reduction programs are the ones nobody likes, but many people need. A record two-thirds of all Americans are overweight and/or obese. Weight reduction programs are designed to help you learn to eat healthier and reduce the excess weight you are carrying. This means that your doctor has probably prescribed thirty minutes to an hour of exercise every day, no soda or excessively sugary drinks, a limit of high fat and overall unhealthy foods, and an increase in leafy green and orange vegetables. Sometimes just removing the soda and adding daily exercise makes such a big difference in your weight that you might be motivated to follow the rest of your doctor's instructions on this type of program.
Weight Management
Weight management should not be confused with weight reduction. A weight management program means your doctor is concerned that if you cannot maintain a steady weight at a normal and acceptable level that you may have other health risks that will need to be addressed. This program is used not only for people that have a few extra pounds (about ten or less), but also for people who are chronically underweight and may be at risk for malnourishment (a condition common with thyroid problems or eating disorders). As the name suggests, the management aspect is getting your weight to stay at a healthy number and not jump up or down.
Disease Prevention
A disease prevention program will help prevent many of the diseases commonly associated with aging and genetic health risks you face. As such, your doctor may prescribe more exercise than usual, low salt/sodium diets, diets absent of simple sugars, and increased intake of water. These diets and exercise regimens prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain forms of organic dementia, respectively. If you are past age 50, your doctor has undoubtedly recommended or prescribed this particular type of healthy living program. If you also have weight issues, your doctor may prescribe one of the previous weight programs as well.
